Without the National Archives' new "Wikipedian in residence," the only way anyone would be able to see Ansel Adams' collection of 220 photos would be to visit the archives in person.
But now, thanks to a new partnership between the archives and Wikipedia, the entire collection can easily be viewed on Wikimedia Commons, part of an effort to make information housed at the nation's repository more easily accessible.
Dominic McDevitt-Parks bears the title Wikipedian in residence, and it's his job to organize and publicize collections — even ones already online but sometimes all but hidden on the official archives website — from his cubicle at an archives' office near the University of Maryland, College Park.
"My nerdy side is attracted to the idea of spending my free time writing for an encyclopedia," the 24-year-old said. "They've really emphasized open access. In the past, [information] was in the public domain, but it wasn't in the public."
1 comment:
Great idea. NOT. Just more wasteful spending by the socialist administration. The government should not be in the business of books or history! Get government out of things in which should remain private!
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