A Wiki-wonderland: Re-envisioning the Website at the Kresge Business Library

Abstract

What started as a relatively simple request to move a periodical title from the fourth floor to the second, led, quite unexpectedly, to the development of the Kresge Library Wiki. Starting out as a way to create topic pages for subjects like nonprofits, sports management, etc, the wiki (http://webservices.itcs.umich.edu/mediawiki/KresgeLibrary/) is playing a more central role in our communication with our patrons. Instead of presenting our resources in a typical structured fashion that can be found at most academic libraries, the wiki provides a free-form and liberating approach that has allowed us to share material in ways not easily done before. This presentation will discuss the development of the Wiki, the growth of the resource, the changing tone (less authoritarian and more chatty or familiar) and the ability for Kresge Librarians to easily create pages to capture research being done for students and faculty that could be further useful for our patrons. Refreshments will be served.