GLAM/Newsletter/April 2022/Contents/Mexico report
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GLAM professionals add an image and become Wikipedians; Edificio Carolino Edit-a-thon
Inviting new editors, one image at a time
On April 1, we joined forces with Wikimedia Argentina and Wikimedia Chile to bring Wikipedia to GLAM professionals new to Wikipedia/media.
The WMF's Growth Team has been working on many tools to aid newcomers, so that the technological barrier to editing Wikipedia is as low as possible. One such effort is the tool known as «Add an Image»—still in beta—that aids newcomers make quick and significant edits to images. This tool lists a series of articles without images and a potential image that could improve the article; usually suggested because the metadata matches or is used in the same article in other languages.
We reached out to We reached out to Mexicana—an open repository of Mexican Cultural heritage—and the Secretariat of Culture to help us get the word out: we’ve worked with both institutions before and we knew there’s still more to do. We received over 100 sign-ups 100 sign-ups, coming from various institutions across the country, including:
- UNAM—The National Autonomous University of Mexico and oldest university in the Americas;
- ENCRyM—National School of Conservation, Restoration and Museography;
- ENAH—National School of Anthropology and History;
- Public universities (University of Guadalajara, Autonomous University of Tabasco, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Universidad Vizcaya de las Américas)
- Public libraries (National Library of Mexico, Amado Nervo Community Public Library, Prof. Ma. Ignacia Martínez de Loza Community Library, Azcapotzalco Borough, Tulancingo Municipality)
On April 1st, we hosted a virtual meeting in two parts. The first was a short introduction to the WMF's work with GLAM, as well as our work with GLAM institutions. After that Cora Gamarnik, researcher on photojournalism, gave us a lecture on the importance of images and their correct context for academic purposes. The second part of our meeting was spent editing, adding images here and there and learning in general how Wikipedia is made through edits big and small.
In the end, over 30 participants were not just fascinated with Wikipedia and how it works, but eager to learn more beyond the scope of this tool, their inquisitive minds immediately wanted to know how to upload more images, how to improve the articles' text, how were articles sourced and most everything that had to do with helping us through their specialized knowledge.
In sum, we witnessed the birth of Wikipedians. And that is always a marvellous sight to behold.
Edificio Carolino Edit-a-thon
On April 9, Wikimedia Mexico organized the Edificio Carolino Edit-a-thon as a part of activities of the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) 35th National Book Fair (FENALI). Our editing session took place at the XVI century Casa de las Bóvedas, an historical building located in the Historic Centre of Puebla.
After two years of being held online due to COVID 19 pandemic, FENALI returns to an in-person format and people from all parts of Mexico attended the event, which offers activities as book sales and presentations, conferences, workshops, karaoke contests, panel discussions and a Wikipedia editing session.
The Historic Centre of Puebla has historical buildings with large doors, balconies, beautiful decorative elements and many years of history. And on this occasion, we wanted to put emphasis on one of its most representative architectural works such as the Edificio Carolino, which today houses the rectory and administrative offices of BUAP; although we also edited about some other notable places such as the Casa del Presidio, the Museo José Luis Bello y Zetina, Museo de Arte Religioso de Santa Mónica, the Casa del Pueblo, Museo Amparo, the Teatro de la Ciudad, the Patio de los Azulejos; and also notable Poblano people like Rosaura Pozos or the Narváez Sisters.
The editing day was very pleasant, as we were able to have backstage access to know some of the properties we were editing and our volunteers could not miss the opportunity to take pictures and release them on Wikimedia Commons to illustrate the articles on Wikipedia. In addition, we were able to attend some FENALI events, chat with local attendees and purchase some books and/or local art pieces.
