Tuesday April 27, 2010
Digital volunteers do amazing things
Rose Holley was a big hit at Mosman Library last week and we’re pleased to make available a video of the presentation. If you’re interested in libraries, local histories, web 2.0, crowdsourcing or innovation, it’s all here! Listen out for stories of million dollar cheques and visits from Google.
The talk energised locals in the crowd, some of whom are now looking at open web communities as an avenue for sharing their local history knowledge and research. One participant said “Amazing night! I feel like I’ve been on a trip to the 23rd century, my head is spinning.”
All links mentioned by Rose are listed below.
Sites that need your help
1. National Library of Australia Sites
- Australian Historic Newspapers – help correct text
- Australian Newspaper Digitisation Program
- Picture Australia – Contribute Your Photos
- Trove – comment, tag, rate and newspapers
2. Other Library sites
- Flickr Commons – help identify and describe public domain images from Australian institutions
- WikiNorthia – articles on north Melbourne suburbs
- WikiShepp – articles on Goulburn
- Mosman Memories of Your Street – your stories of Mosman
3. Archive sites
- AustraliaGenWeb (part of WorldGenWeb) Transcribe archives/maintain genie web hubs
- Shipping in Australian Waters – transcribe shipping lists
4. Non-profit making organisations
- Wikipedia – write articles on people, places, events, topics
- Distributed Proofreaders – create e-books
- FamilySearchIndex – transcribe indexes
- Ryerson Index to Contemporary death notices – transcribe current day newspaper obituaries
- ABC Pool – create images, video, music, poetry and share
5. New sites to watch out for developments
- Founders and Survivors – new project April 2010 (give your information on convicts)
- ABC Open new project to start April 2010 (contribute to regional news stories)
6. Interesting book to read
- Clay Shirky – Here comes everybody
7. Youtube videos
Honour Roll of Mosman Residents who Enlisted in World War II
On ANZAC Day, Mosman Library launched an online version of the Mosman WWII Honour Roll. Opportunities exist for digital volunteers to help transcribe paper records to the site and link those listed with records held in national archives.
Next month
Our next talk – Inspiration, content and connection with others – a non-technical guide to getting the most from your blog – will be presented by Steven Lewis, Sydney-based writer, journalist and podcaster, on Thursday 20 May.
