User:Postdlf/library

Wikipedia:Virtual library

The goal of this project is to effectively link the personal, physical "libraries" of Wikipedians around the globe within one searchable database. Many of us own numerous books, movies, or albums in our homes that may be of use to other Wikipedians who wish to write or expand articles on related topics. Compiling this information in a searchable database will allow users to directly contact Wikipedians who have disclosed that they personally own particular reference materials, so as to facilitate free, online research and the possible real-world sharing and exchange of these materials. The virtual library is meant to function as a complement to Wikipedia:Reference desk.

How it works

Participants in the database will submit information on all potentially useful print and recorded materials they own, such as books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs. The work's description should be as specific as possible, as researchers may be interested in information specific to a particular edition of a printed work, or a particular region release of a DVD. Participants will also assign appropriate keywords to the work so that they show up in subject searches. Participants may also opt to make their personal catalog visible as a whole rather than just showing up in the context of search results, so that a database user may view a list of works by participant.

A user interested in researching a specific topic or finding a specific work may then search the database to see if anyone owns relevant material. The user will then be given a list of any other users who own particular materials, so that he can contact them on their talk page to request the desired information. In response, Wikipedians may then review their material themselves and then post an answer on their talk page with a citation to the work. The owner may also decide to lend, "donate," or trade the materials to the researcher who has a need for it. These discussions should be continued off-site to avoid the public posting of mailing addresses or other contact information, and no discussion of sales should ever occur on Wikipedia.

Who can participate

Anyone can use the database and then contact listed owners. Abuse of the system, including the harassment of participants, will be treated as abuse of Wikipedia generally, and the user blocked according to general Wikipedia policies, such as those regarding disruption, vandalism, trolling, or personal attacks. Derogatory comments of database participants for their ownership of particular materials will not be tolerated.

Because each participant's submitted library cannot be verified, only registered users with an established edit history of (X) or more contributions will be permitted to participate in order to lessen the possibility of deliberately false listings. Those who abuse the system, such as through the listing of fictitious works, listing vanity publications in an attempt to advertise, or by the use of the database to operate a business, will be removed from the database entirely. Those who repeatedly fail to respond to requests for information may also be removed, as only those who are willing to take an active role in this project should be included in the database.

Participation in the virtual library database is completely voluntary, and should be undertaken with the expectation that you will be periodically asked to satisfy requests for information. The extent to which any participant discloses their personal library is also completely up to personal preference. Ownership of certain materials may suggest or reveal personal information such as religious beliefs, political views, or sexual preferences and habits. Wikipedians are urged not to disclose ownership of anything that they would consider embarrassing, a violation of personal privacy, damaging to their professional reputation, or a possible cause of prosecution (or persecution) in their home jurisdictions.

What should be included in the database

The database should include books, periodicals, films, and albums, and fiction as well as non-fiction. Participants should limit the materials they list to only printed or recorded works that could function as reliable sources for an article, or about which an article might be written. Participants should not list works such as self-published or "vanity press" books, unpublished academic papers, pamphlets, self-recorded albums, or home movies, as these constitute original research, and the content of these works, not to mention their very existence, is likely unverifiable. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the participant's removal from the database.

Participants should list public domain materials as well as those currently under copyright. Although an increasing number of public domain texts are available for free online, researchers may have questions that are specific to particular print editions.