Wikis: Tools for Information Work and Collaboration

Citation

Alley, R. (2008), "Wikis: Tools for Information Work and Collaboration", Library Management, Vol. 29 No. 8/9, pp. 803-804. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120810917486

As wikis mature as web‐based information resources some librarians and knowledge managers may be wondering: what are wikis? How do I get up to speed? How do I create one? Aren't wikis controversial? How do I assess the accuracy of one? The book is aimed at “non‐technical readers […] who want to know more about wikis as social information spaces and information resources” and it does a great job of answering these questions. The explanations and descriptions assume some understanding of the online environment and the focus is on explaining wikis within this context.

Dr Klobas and her fellow contributors have outlined the history of wikis, their place in the online environment and their role as social tools. These descriptions help to clarify how the reader might identify a role for wikis in their own communities as well as allow them to review wikis they may come across. The examples of wikis included in the book come from a wide variety of communities around the world and demonstrate the appeal of wikis as social tools.

Sometimes, it can be difficult finding wikis, and along with sections on wikis for specific environments (library and information science, business and education), there is a chapter on finding wikis, all of which provide a useful resource for locating wikis, identifying wiki content and using wiki directories.

The screen shots of wiki pages help to demonstrate key points clearly, particularly for those not familiar with wikis, and along with the diagrams, are well chosen. The index is thorough and footnotes are not overused.

If the reader is considering creating a wiki for a particular community, this book helps to scope and outline the process and consider the issues of collaborative information tools. The advantages and problems of wikis are explained and there are useful appendices which compare wikis and web sites, and provide a list of evaluation questions for wikis as sources of information.

Given that currency is key component of wikis, this is a book that should be read soon if the wiki examples included form a necessary part of your learning experience. However, the book itself will retain relevance due to its introductory nature and concise descriptions. It is a very useful resource for the librarian or knowledge manager seeking to implement collaborative tools to encourage a social and interactive learning environment for their communities.