GLAM/Newsletter/November 2013/Contents/UK report
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Open content at the BBC; edit-a-thons; photography
BBC Open Content
For the first time, the BBC have dipped their toe into open content waters, releasing three extracts from Radio 4 programmes from their archives, 'Desert Island Discs and 'Today', under CC-by licences, as a prelude to releasing around 200 more at an event London on 18 January 2014 (book via that link). The donation came at the behest of Wikimedian Andy Mabbett, who is running the project with the BBC and has written about the initiative on his blog.
Mining for information
The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers in Newcastle upon Tyne was the site of an edit-a-thon relating to the institute's collection. Robert Forsythe's delivered a report on the event, which included a tour round the collections, and there was enthusiasm for the topic, with one attendee travelling from the other side of the country to be there. The institute is considering a future event based around their collection so there may be more to come!
Scotland
The Wikimedian in Residence at the National Library of Scotland organised an edit-a-thon on the subject of early photography. Topics included the Edinburgh Calotype Club, the oldest photography club in the world, and participants were able to access the Library's digital collections. An editing session with the University of Edinburgh's PhotoSoc is also being considered. A staff edit-a-thon on Forgotten Faces and Absent Places encouraged employees at the NLS to contribute to Wikipedia using their own areas of expertise. A public event was also held at the National Library of Scotland as part of their National Book Week Scotland activities on 30th November, called 'Wikipedia in your Hands'. Details on these events can be found here. In Glasgow an edit-a-thon was run on the topic of Scottish women on Wikipedia on Sunday 16th November. Details of the outcomes can be found here.
Photography
There was a strong photography theme in November. Building on the success of Wiki Loves Monuments, a Wiki Takes event was organised based around London's tube system. The idea was capturing photographs of Grade I and II* listed buildings which weren't covered on Commons and were within easy reach of tube stations. Towards the end of the month there was an edit-a-thon-cum-photography-session at Conway Hall in London, with nine articles created.
Spotlight on the Digital
In his capacity as Jisc Wikimedia Ambassador, Martin Poulter attended and led a session at a "Spotlight on the Digital" session in London, whose topic was how to promote the discovery and use of digitised content. Major institutions such as the Wellcome Library and the British Library were represented, but the focus of the day was on how small projects with very little staff time can cheaply get their content used. Wikimedia UK volunteer Brian Kelly was also in attendance. A lot of the day's discussion related in some way to Wikimedia. Martin followed up with a written briefing (subsequently made available as a blog post) which will shape the national advice given to content holders.
Veterinary Science editathon
A number of Wikimedia UK trainers spent a day at the Royal Veterinary College in London for a joint editathon improving both Wikipedia and Wikivet. This arose from the Jisc/Wikmiedia UK collaboration, and the RVC intend to make it an annual event. The day ended with a tour of the building, which includes an anatomical museum. John Cummings took some photos of animal skeletons for Commons.
Future events
A list of past and future events in the UK is viewable at https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Events. Future events to look out for include:
- Anybody but Burns, a Scottish poetry editathon in Edinburgh
- The ZSL editathon, a Women in zoology and natural history editathon at London Zoo
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