Library Card platform

The Library Card platform is a tool run by The Wikipedia Library for browsing and accessing reliable sources of information for use by experienced Wikimedia contributors.

Toolhub link: https://toolhub.wikimedia.org/tools/the-wikipedia-library

Usage

The tool is accessible at https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/, where you can click 'Log in' to login via OAuth with your Wikimedia account.

Applying for resources

More than 60 different publishers and databases are currently available via the platform, providing free access to their resources for use in editing Wikimedia projects. Clicking More Info on a partner will show you greater detail on their resources and application requirements. Click Apply to fill out the application form for access!

After applying, you can click your username in the top corner while logged in to go to your user page and view a list of your applications. If your application receives any comments, or is approved or rejected, you will receive an email.

Most resources have a set number of accounts available at any given time. If all accounts have been distributed, that partner will be flagged as 'Waitlisted'. Applications are still welcomed, however you may not receive access for some time – until The Wikipedia Library team are able to get more accounts or redistribute old ones.

Accessing resources

Click on 'My Library' to see the partners to which you currently have access. Many partners now use a proxy server for direct access to approved resources with users' single Wikipedia login. This will save needing to remember separate logins for every individual website used.

There is also immediate, no-application-required, access to a subset of proxied resources - known as the Library Bundle - for users who meet the minimum application criteria (500+ edits, 6+ months activity). These appear in the 'Instant Access' tab for those who are eligible.

Suggesting new partnerships

While we're continually seeking out new publisher partnerships, you can make specific suggestions on the Suggest page. Simply fill out the form with details - you can also add a +1 to other suggestions if they're of interest to you.

Contributing

• Code contributions are welcomed – documentation on setting up the tool locally can be found at https://github.com/WikipediaLibrary/TWLight. Open tasks are listed on Phabricator.
• The interface supports internationalization via translatewiki.net. You can find more information and add translations at Translating:Library Card Platform.
• Provide feedback on upcoming improvements to site design and search

More info

• Project contacts: Sam Walton (Product Manager)
• Source code: Github
• Phabricator: Library-Card-Platform