Security & Training
From Library Demo Site
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Using Wikis to Build Library Web Spaces
Joyce Yukawa, MLIS Program, College of St. Catherine
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| About this presentation · Wikis for libraries · Creating wiki spaces · Tools and resources |
| Wikis for libraries |
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Security
Wiki Gardening - Advanced: The area of network and database security needs serious attention if you want to host your own wiki. Presumably, your IT staff will provide this, so the points here are rudimentary.
- If you decide to use a hosted wiki, investigate the security policies of your wiki's host.
- If you install your own wiki, take proper network security precautions to deter hackers, such as user authentication and firewalls.
- Deter vandalism by requiring user authentication.
- Most wikis have various levels of user permissions from read-only privileges to administrator privileges.
- Most wikis allow page protection.
Training
Wiki Gardening - Intermediate:
- A good introduction to wiki basics (see Tools and resources).
- An answer to the question, "How will it make my work or life better?" One way to show this is through tasks that demonstrate the wiki's value in real use, e.g.:
- Rather than recording reference questions in a notebook at the reference desk that only on-duty staff can access, record them in a private, password-protected wiki with 24/7 online access for off-duty inspirations.
- If community members are organizing an event held at the library, provide a wiki for planning and coordination as an alternative to face-to-face meetings or email that can get buried in mailboxes.
- A way to gain a clear conception of how wikis operate. A training program could initially provide structured pathways for newbies, and then flexibility and time for exploration as they gain experience.
- Support for problem solving and mentoring in the use of the wiki
- Good wiki content is provided essentially through writing. Establishing writing guidelines that cover content organization, linking, attribution, and tone can be valuable, depending on your wiki's purpose (see How to Develop Writing Guidelines for Your Wiki (OCLC)).
