Interested in having a go at Wikipedia editing?

Open air public health propaganda Cinemotor with a typical young audience’ in Bermondsey. Children are watching public health films and photographs. (WI no. L0070040).  Credit: Southwark Local History Library and Archive.

We’ve joined forces with Wikimedia UK and JISC to provide a one-day edit-a-thon at the Wellcome Trust HQ on Wednesday February 26.

Led by Martin Poulter, an ambassador for Wikimedia UK and JISC, this free event will focus on editing and creating Wikipedia entries relating to the history of medicine. If you’re interested in getting started with Wikipedia, or would like some advice about updating your existing entries from experienced editors, then please come along!

We’re keen to work on some entries relating to topics covered by our Codebreakers: Makers of Modern Genetics and London’s Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972 online resources, but you’re by no means limited to those topics, just work on what interests you. Wellcome Library staff will be on hand to suggest a range of resources to improve your Wikipedia entries.

The event is free, and will take place between 11.00-16.00. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. We’ll go through some basic wiki training before lunch, then work directly on Wikipedia, with experienced Wikipedians and Wellcome Library staff on hand to help.

It’s advisable to bring a laptop computer though we have some spares: tell us on the form if you will need one on the day.

See the event’s page on Wikipedia for more details and feel free to add your username or to suggest articles for improvement.

Just use the online booking form to register for a free place.

If you need any more information about the event, then just drop me a line.