42nd Annual Meeting- Luncheon, May 31, "Wiki Edit-a-thon Luncheon"

As a contributor to the AIC wiki, it was nice to meet some of the other contributors and put names to faces. I was hoping to see more enthusiastic contributors at the Edit-a-thon, but it was still a useful way to  get an update of what is happening with the wiki outside my own bubble and feel more a part of that community. Join us next time!
Rachael Perkins Arenstein, the AIC e-Editor, started us off with an introduction to the wiki overall and the current projects that she wanted to highlight, such as:
1. Lexicon http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Lexicon – Nancie Ravenel was there to give an overview of where she was this going and how it filled a gap in current resources.
2. Oddy/Materials Testing http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Oddy_Tests:_Materials_Databases – I happen to be one of the contributors for this section of the wiki. We know that this is a controversial topic, but want to share information in an attempt to get others to do the same. The database is really several sortable tables with the information collected during testing. I got some good feedback about how to improve the pages.
3. Exhibiting Conservation http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/PR_and_Outreach-Exhibiting_Conservation
4. K-12 Educational Resources http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/K-12_Educational_Resources_on_Conservation
5. History of Conservation & Conservators http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/History_of_Conservation_and_Conservators
6. Reading Lists http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Education_%26_Training
7. Conservation Courses for Allied Fields http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Conservation_Courses_for_Allied_Academic_Fields
8. Setting up a Conservation Lab http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Setting_up_a_Conservation_Lab
 
I think one of the most interesting portions of the luncheon was a report on responses the BPG got from a survey about the wiki. My take-away, to get more information onto the wiki we have to build relationships between conservators of differing experience by pairing conservators who are wiki-fluent (typically younger and less-experienced)  with those who have content (usually more experienced, but less tech savvy). This seems like a promising way to build the wiki and  mentorship relationships! Maybe we should pitch this to ECPN… There was also some review about the disclaimers and banners that run across the top of most pages. These were never meant to be left there and the creator wishes we would just do away with them. The outgoing OSG wiki-Editor, Lee-Ann Barnes Gordon, pitched some ideas she has been mulling over in regards to the banners. Such as, a progression of headers to give readers a better idea of where the page was in an informal review process. For example, “under construction/adding content,” “under review,” “reviewed.”
So not much content was added, but some important information was shared. So please check out the wiki and if you see an area that you feel you could improve- contribute!
Thanks to the NCPTT for funding this great luncheon!  Sorry I didn’t get everyone’s name.