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Wikimedia and Libraries User Group report

Wikimedia + Libraries International Convention 2025

By Windblown29, Orly Simon & Silvia Gutiérrez

Wikimedia + Libraries International Convention 2025: A Global Gathering in Mexico City

The Wikimedia + Libraries International Convention 2025, held at the Daniel Cosío Villegas Library in Mexico City, marked a pivotal moment for the global library and information science community. This second iteration of the conference brought together librarians, information professionals, and library workers from over 20 countries, fostering discussions on the intersection of libraries, Wikimedia projects, and the critical work of ensuring access to trusted information.

  • Opening of the conference
    Opening of the conference
  • Library entrance with a WikiTruck video on display
    Library entrance with a WikiTruck video on display

A Strategic and Thematic Approach

The conference, organized by the Wikimedia + Libraries User Group, Wikimedia Mexico, and the Daniel Cosío Villegas Library of El Colegio de México with funding from the Wikimedia Foundation, featured a strong thematic focus. This thematic strategy unified discussions and reinforced the urgency of addressing misinformation and disinformation—identified by the 2024 Global Risk Report as one of the biggest short-term global risks.

The theme aimed to highlight the relevance of libraries and librarians, as well as other information professionals, in today’s digital landscape, emphasizing their expertise in verifying facts, combating disinformation, and promoting digital literacy. As part of this strategic approach, the team at COLMEX and Wikimedia Mexico worked together to provide 20 scholarships for local librarians, ensuring they could benefit not only from the thematic discussions but also from hands-on training in Wikidata, Wikisource, and Wikipedia workshops for newcomers, further strengthening their ability to engage with Wikimedia projects.

Key Highlights and Discussions

The event featured an engaging lineup of keynote speakers and panel discussions. Among the keynotes were:

  • Costanza Sciubba from WMF
    Costanza Sciubba from WMF
  • Alan Ang from WMDE
    Alan Ang from WMDE
  • Disinformation panel
    Disinformation panel
  • WhoseKnowledge delivered a thought-provoking talk emphasizing how online violence silences marginalized voices. The session highlighted that disinformation isn't just about truth vs. falsehood but a tool of oppression, especially in Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), which disproportionately harms women, LGBTQI+ individuals, activists, and journalists.
  • IFLA panel
    IFLA panel
  • WhoseKnowledge presentation
    WhoseKnowledge presentation
  • Presentation from Ukraine
    Presentation from Ukraine
  • Presentation from Brazil
    Presentation from Brazil
  • We had two presentations from WMF staff. Diego Sáez-Trumper presented on Wikipedia’s role in the AI ecosystem and its significance in the fight against disinformation. And * Silvia Gutiérrez showcased her study analyzing 800 posts related to libraries and all posts in This Month in GLAM, identifying common motivations for librarian participation, such as mission alignment with Wikipedia’s goals and activism in areas like gender equity, information literacy, open access, and language and cultural heritage preservation.
  • Silvia Gutiérrez at WikiLibCon
    Silvia Gutiérrez at WikiLibCon
  • The thematic focus attracted diverse stakeholders, including representatives from the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and UN experts, who discussed their Verified project initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. These interactions expanded the conference’s reach beyond the Wikimedia and library communities, leading to greater media coverage, including newspaper articles and interviews with attendees.

Strengthening the Wiki-Library Community: WLUG's interactive session

The WLUG business and interactive session focused on sustaining a vibrant wiki-library community through governance, advocacy, and collaboration. The steering committee discussed expanding membership, organizing more events, and fostering partnerships. Participants explored strategies for supporting smaller user groups, enhancing communication, and promoting Wikimedia engagement among librarians. Key discussions covered identity and purpose, advocacy for Wikimedia in libraries, and the need for structured governance. Proposed solutions included forming workgroups for governance, mapping library ecosystems, and collaborating with IFLA. Spanish-speaking participants emphasized the importance of Wikidata for authority control and proposed certification for wiki-workshops. The session underscored the need for training, funding, and stronger connections between libraries and Wikimedia.


Cultural Immersion: Celebrating Mexico’s Heritage

The conference not only fostered global collaboration but also celebrated Mexico’s rich cultural heritage through three immersive events. Participants enjoyed a vibrant Son Jarocho concert featuring the legendary Zenén Zeferino, showcasing traditional Mexican music. A trajinera tour offered a glimpse into the iconic canals of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blending history with natural beauty. Additionally, a visit to Ciudad Universitaria, another UNESCO World Heritage site, included its stunning murals and the historic Estadio Olímpico Universitario, where the 1968 Olympic Games took place. This stadium witnessed pivotal moments in history, such as Enriqueta Basilio becoming the first woman to light the Olympic cauldron and the iconic Black Power salute. These events highlighted Mexico’s cultural and historical significance, enriching the global gathering with a deeply local and unforgettable experience.

Documenting the Event and Future Prospects

A notable addition to the event was videotaping by Meg Vatterott, a Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting Fellow, who is producing a documentary titled Rabbit Hole. Conference highlights will be included in the film as it explores Wikipedia’s role in shaping historical narratives online and highlights the importance of human oversight in AI-driven information systems.

As Wikimedia and libraries continue collaborations, the Wikimedia + Libraries International Convention strengthens the Wikimedia and Library Users Group’s position in global librarianship. The event concluded with a collective vision for the future, empowering libraries to lead knowledge-sharing efforts and ensure access to reliable information in an increasingly digital world.


Group Photo at WikiLibCon25
Group Photo at WikiLibCon25



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