Wikis #16

Wikis are great! They're easy to access, easy to modify, and easy to use. The concept is a good one if you're trying to include visitors in a giant collaboration project, particularly for something like a library Book Review site, where the idea is to let anyone (not just the computer-code-savvy) edit content.
Well of course "wiki" means "quick" in Hawaiian!! Didn't everyone know that? pfft.
Meredith Farkas's slideshow pretty much sums up the pros and cons; everyone can modify, which means EVERYONE can modify. Wikis are very useful when gathering (subjective) community knowledge into a localized, searchable site, but they're probably not the most factual of databases, as anyone can post anything they wish.
I really like the St. Joseph County Public Library's Subject Guides wiki. It's easier to use than an "official" city website like Access Atlanta. It's also something that could be really useful in the Fontana system; a book review section could be edited by patrons and staff from all libraries. We could also sponsor a regional subject wiki for community information (I would use it on a regular basis).
Rant: WIKIPEDIA IS NOT AN ACADEMIC RESOURCE. No, Wake Forest University, it doesn't count and isn't "useful" for research papers. It can come in handy when you're looking up, say, an episode synopsis for an obscure 1985 made-for-tv drama, but it's wise to bear in mind that the information may or may not be, you know, TRUE.