Dear Matthew,

We at the National Library of Wales conducted an interesting pilot about 
18 months ago to share content through Wikipedia - interestingly we 
chose at that point not to add entries because of the relativley complex 
'self-promotion' guidelines. Instead we shared out of copyright images 
related to existing entries - Wikipedia was (perhaps still is) not that 
supportive of Creative Commons licenses because of the general license 
for Wikipedia itself so we ended up with a quite complex procedure for 
adding our images.

Happy to chat about this more if you're interested in our experiences,

Paul

Matthew Cock wrote:
> Dear Paul,
> 
> We have been looking at the idea of a content donation. At the moment, we do not have plans to do so, but we will continue looking at this, as there is an obvious desire to improve the quality of images available to Wikipedians, but as you can appreciate, it's a major step to make.
> 
> Cheers,
> Matthew
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Groves
> Sent: 11 March 2010 11:57
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: British Museum pilots "Wikipedian-in-residence"
> 
> Dear Matthew,
> 
> This sounds like a very interesting initiative, I'd be very interested
> to hear how this progresses and any issues (or opportunities!) that
> this pilot project throws up. Will the British Museum also be
> "donating" any of its object images (e.g. under a Creative Commons
> "share-alike" license) to Wikimedia, for example to support articles
> on objects from its collections? Content ownership, especially for
> images, appears to remain a difficult area for many institutions.
> 
> regards
> 
> Paul
> 
> ----------------------------
> 
> Paul Groves
> Project Manager
> Eastern Art Online; Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art
> 
> Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
> University of Oxford
> Beaumont Street
> Oxford OX1 2PH
> 
> W: jameelcentre.ashmolean.org
> 
> E: [log in to unmask]
> T: +44 (0)1865 278 289
> 
> Skype: pgroves999
> Twitter: @paul_gr0ves
> 
> Open:                     Tuesday–Sunday 10–6 (closed on Mondays)
> Information:      T:  +44(0)1865 278 000 / W: www.ashmolean.org
> ---
> For disclaimer see http://www.ashmolean.org/email/
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Mar 11, 2010 at 11:43 AM, Matthew Cock
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> In June 2010 we're piloting a project with the creation of the role of
>> "volunteer Wikipedian in residence". Australian Wikipedian Liam Wyatt
>> will be with us for around five weeks. We've provided access to one of
>> the broadest-ranging cultural collections in the world. Wikipedia, the
>> free encyclopedia, is the most consulted and largest compendium of
>> knowledge ever compiled. By harnessing the expertise of the British
>> Museum and the reach of Wikipedia, this project aims bring mutual
>> benefit to both organisations.
>>
>>
>> Liam's underlying task will be to be to build a relationship between the
>> Museum and the Wikipedian community through a range of activities both
>> internally and public-facing. These will include: creating or expanding
>> existing articles about notable items or subjects of specific relevance
>> to the collection and the Museum's expertise; supporting Wikipedians
>> already editing articles related to the British Museum both locally and
>> internationally; and working with Museum staff to explain Wikipedia's
>> practices and how they might be able to contribute directly. As this is
>> a pilot project the scope and scale of the activities will necessarily
>> change as the project progresses.
>>
>> We will be organising a 'backstage pass' tour for local Wikipedians
>> during June, and will post any information on MCG.
>>
>>
>>
>> Do contact me ([log in to unmask]) or Liam ([log in to unmask]) if
>> you're interested.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Matthew
>>
>>
>>
>> Head of Web | Department of Learning and Audiences| The British Museum |
>> britishmuseum.org <http://www.britishmuseum.org>  |
>> twitter.com/britishmuseum <http://www.twitter.com/britishmuseum>  | t:
>> 020 7323 8169 | m: 07971 433841
>>
>>
>> BOOK NOW FOR SPRING EXHIBITIONS
>>
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>> 4 March - 6 June 2010
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>> www.britishmuseum.org
>>
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>>
>>
>>
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-- 
Dr Paul Bevan

Pennaeth TGCh			     | Head of ICT
Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru         | National Library of Wales
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion              | Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
SY23 3BU                             | SY23 3BU

01970 632996                            [log in to unmask]

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