User:Subodh (CIS-A2K)/Work Plan 2021-22

Re-licensing movement edit

Background
CIS-A2K is focusing on re-licensing for the last three years. The process has gained momentum in the state of Maharashtra. Multi-faceted approach was taken to achieve re-licensing of more than 220 reference value works. The simple manual in Marathi was developed to execute the OTRS process by copyright holders smoothly. The content donation was done by authors, copyright holders and various organisations. The works were digitised and uploaded in category on Wikimedia Commons.

Why
There is a need to make hidden, forgotten reference value works free, accessible and searchable. The readers like to read recent content relevant to current affairs which suits their interests. For this one can not wait for the expiry of copyright of works. Therefore re-licensing drives are need of an hour for every language community.

How
To achieve this systematically, we plan to build database of authors and copyright holders. The tutorials for the process will be created. Special efforts will be taken to build thematic content galleries in collaboration with organisations. These will be helpful in online capacity building of the community. The focus will also be on collaborations with Government agencies to open their collections. To facilitate and promote this process, liaison with media houses and publishers will be done.

Outcome
The re-licensing process will be started in three states. Total 200 works will be released. Total 20 community members will be involved in the process.

Digitisation set-ups edit

Background
CIS-A2K has collaborated with organisation Vigyan Ashram, Pabal to set-up scanning and processing facility in the campus. The scanner and training was provided by CIS-A2K to rural girls' team. In the last three years, more than 40,000 pages have been scanned and uploaded. The team has also completed rare books' digitisation project with public library.

What
It is proposed to set up De-centralised scanning centres at various places which are easily accessible to community and content donors.

 
Scanning set-up in Vigyan Ashram

Why
It is very much necessary to carry out digitisation of decaying, delicate material on site or near to the collection. This facility is also helpful in promoting digitisation of personal creative work collections. Through this initiative we also engage these centres in skill building of youths in digitisation sector.

How
After looking at the work of Vigyan Ashram documented in the short film - Savitri's online daughters, few organisations have approached us for support. We shall select such institutions where, the consistency and quality of the work would be maintained. The accessibility for community will also be taken into account. On the job training will be done for the first three months. This will include proper communication with community, record keeping, scanning and post processing. They will also be introduced to Wikimedia projects where the content would be uploaded.

Outcome
We shall set-up five scanning centres in India. About 50,000 pages will be scanned in these centres.

GLAM partnerships edit

Background
CIS-A2K has involved in collaborative projects with public libraries and museums in the last two years. The research study on GLAM mapping has opened many avenues of knowledge creation with these institutions. The systematic partnerships would be developed to achieve valuable content generation. Initial discussions with Kashibai Madhavrao Gawand Museum, Satara; Manjusha Museum, Dharmasthala; Kalashram Museum, Adilabad and REWATCH Museum, Arunachal Pradesh have already done.

 
Main building of Kashibai Madhavrao Gawand Museum, Maharashtra

What
The GLAM institutions would be identified through mapping in at least three states. The content will be organised on appropriate Wikimedia projects with the help of experts in relevant fields. The Wikimedian in Residence or similar programs will be effectively implemented.

 
Artifacts in Kashibai Madhavrao Gawand Museum

Why
The knowledge in GLAM institutions is multi-faceted. This content in the form of text, images, audio-visual and objects needs to be integrated with various Wikimedia projects for greater accessibility.

How
The following activities would be taken up with different GLAM's -

  • Digitisation of PD, rare books with 100+ year old libraries
  • Digitisation of museum collections
  • WiR programs with museums and archives
  • Data donation campaigns with research institutions and libraries

Outcome
At least 5 GLAM projects from three states will be completed.

Bridging Gender Gap Initiatives edit

Building women's groups for knowledge creation edit

Background
CIS-A2K is working with various organisations working on women empowerment for the last three years. We were able to explore the potential in women through activities in Lingua Libre, audio books and Lexemes project in the previous year. On the occasion of Women's Day 2021, the women's group has completed uploading of more than 10,000 recordings in Wikimedia Commons through Lingua Libre. The similar methodology would be adopted to activate such women's groups in other places.

Why
There is a lot of hidden potential and expertise in women who could not pursue full time jobs due to home making responsibility. We collaborated with Jnana Prabodhini organisation to mobilise such women to work on Marathi language related projects like Wikisiurce audio books, Lingua Libre & Wikidata Lexeme project. Within three months we were able to mobilise communities of interest around language related projects. This pilot will be strengthened and expanded in other parts of India.

How
The methodology will be developed to build structured knowledge base in Lingua Libre and Wikidata Lexeme projects. The movement resources for the same will be created with experienced editors. The efforts will be taken to collaborate with communities concerned with documentation of vulnerable languages, e.g. Gondi, Korku, Warali, Halbi, dialects in North-east region of India.

Outcome
Total 100 women from 2 places will be involved.

Better visibility of Content related to Gender in Indian languages edit

Background
After executing the pilot programme for content generation and re-licensing activities successfully with Lek Ladki Abhiyan, an organisation active in gender issues, CIS-A2K started working on this project in the previous program year. Due to COVID restrictions, the field work could not be done. The literature survey, initial communications with prospective organisations has been done. The mapping of available resources is completed through desk research.

What
There are several organisations in India, which have been actively working in the areas of gender, sexuality, women and LGBTQIA+ rights etc. These include resource centres, publications and research institutions. We will map such resource centres and explore possibilities of collaboration for better visibility and access to this content.

Why
Collaborations with these organisations may offer valuable resources, inputs and expertise for enriching content related to the gender on Wikimedia in Indian languages. It may also help bring these resources into the mainstream to facilitate public discourse around bridging the gender gap.

How
In the pilot phase, a set of institutions will be identified through desk research, community networks and by reaching out to organisations, to develop a good understanding of their work, resources and challenges etc. We will actively work with the centres to explore possible areas of collaboration, including an introduction to Wikimedia and activities such as edit-a-thons, workshops on key areas such as open licenses etc.

Outcome
Around 5 resource centres will be identified and a series of activities ( workshops, training sessions, consultation on research and collaborations etc.) will be conducted to understand the resources, work and content available, and how they may be better access to a wider public in Indian languages through Wikipedia. Movement resources on gender-related content may also be created with the help and expertise of the individuals and organisations involved.

Wikisource Technical Drives edit

Background
Each year Wikimedia tech team prepares Community Wishlist about the technical issues from the community. The tech team works on the top five voted technical issues. But Wikisource community is very small compared to Wikipedia or Commons. So Wikisource issues were unattended because of a lack of votes, but each task is very essential for the Wikisource communities.

Why
The Wikisource project was our focus program last year and we will continue the same in the coming year. At present, none of the affiliates of Wikimedia Foundation have focused on such a Wikisource project.

How
CIS-A2K will develop the strategy and structure to resolve the issues through technical drives. Total two dedicated technical staff will be involved on contractual basis. India Mediawiki Wikisource Hackathon 2020 was postponed due to COVID-19, it will be conducted in this year.

Proofreadthon edit

Background
Two Proofreadthons Will continue in the coming year as per RFC‎ decision. The events will be conducted as per community wishes.

Why
Indic Wikisource proofreadthon is now a flagship online event for Indic Wikisource Community.

How
It will be launched in May 2021 & November 2021.

Outcome
Minimum 100 participants and 5000 pages will be proofread. Total 21 community members will be involved in the planning and implementation process.

Language specific community building edit

Background
Due to constant follow-up and support, in the last two years Assamese community grew up well. Likewise we will work closely with other three language communities.

Why
According to recent analysis of the projects, a most venerable projects are Malayalam and Odia Wikisource. We have to focus on these two projects.

How
In the coming year, CIS-A2K will focus on Odia, Malayalam, and Assamese Wikisource communities.

Outcome
Total 10 community members will be involved in the process for every language ( Assamese, Odia & Malayalam).

Indic Wikisource Helpdesk edit

Background
Indic Wikisource Helpdesk will continue in the coming year. For a complex page layout, sometimes wiki-librarians feel uncomfortable fixing the page and leave the Wikisource just for one page.

Why
Indic Wikisource Helpdesk is a continuous interaction with the community.

How
Indic Wikisource Helpdesk will continue to support in the coming year.