Event:COLAU Edit-a-thons in partnership with WCUGU
Project Overview
[edit]This project proposes to carry out edit-a-thons in 8 community libraries. The project will train librarians as facilitators, provide necessary resources, and create a sustainable model for long-term co-operation between Wikimedia Community User Group and The Community Libraries Association of Uganda.
Project Title: “Building Digital Literacy and Community Knowledge through Library Edit-a-thons.”
This project proposes to carry out edit-a-thons in 8 community libraries in 5 months. These clubs will serve as inclusive, collaborative spaces where community members learn to contribute to Wikipedia and related Wikimedia projects, thereby addressing local knowledge gaps, building digital literacy skills, and strengthening the library's role as a community knowledge hub. The project will train librarians as facilitators, provide necessary resources, and create a sustainable model for long-term operation.
Project Goals and Objectives
[edit]The goal is to equip participants with the skills and confidence to create and edit Wikipedia articles and Wikidata items, fostering a sustainable network of local editors and establishing the library as a community hub for open knowledge.
Main objective: To equip library users in 8 community libraries with practical knowledge and skills hence increase local participation in knowledge creation.
Specific Objectives
- Launch edit-a-thons in 8 community libraries across diverse communities within 6 months.
- Capacity Building: Train at least 20 librarians (2 per library) as confident edit-a-thons facilitators and champions.
- Community Impact: Engage at least 150 participants in edit-a-thons, with a focus on underrepresented groups (youth, seniors, minority communities).
- Content Creation: Generate at least 200 improved or new Wikipedia articles on topics of local and global significance, with a documented focus on closing content gaps.
Target Libraries and Participants
[edit]Participating libraries were selected through an application process focusing on;
- Diversity: Mix of urban, suburban, and rural settings; serving socio-economically and ethnically diverse populations.
- Capacity: Demonstrated interest in community programming and digital literacy.
- Commitment: Library leadership willing to dedicate staff time and promote the club.
- Primary Participants: Library patrons of all ages and backgrounds, with targeted outreach to high school/college students, local historians, subject matter experts (e.g., teachers, artists), and seniors.
- Participating libraries for the Edit-a-thons:
| Library Name | Date | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawempe Youth Centre | 28th Aug | Kawempe | Completed |
| Cruciform Life Community Library | 12th Sept | Bulenga | Completed |
| Namanya Memorial Community Library | 19th Sept | Nansana | Completed |
| Treasure Children’s Resource Centre | 26th Sept | Nansana | |
| Centre for Youth Driven Developement Initiatives | 3rd Oct | Gayaza | |
| Buganda Kingdom Library | 10th Oct | Mengo | |
| Marko Lukooya Memorial Library | 24th Oct | Mukono | |
| Turning Point Resolutions Community Library | 31st Oct | Mukono |
Evaluation Plan
[edit]- Output Tracking through the dashboard: Number of sessions held, participants, new editors trained, articles created/improved.
- Participant Surveys: Pre/post assessments of digital literacy, Wikipedia confidence, and sense of community.
- Qualitative Data: Interviews with librarians and core participants; observation of club sessions.
- Content Analysis: Quality and diversity of articles created (using Wikipedia's article assessment tools).