Wikimania 2024

National Library of the Czech Republic & Wikimedia Czech Republic - pioneering the collaboration of open
08-07, 11:30–11:55 (Poland), Lviv (21+22+23) (interpretation)
Language: English

We would like to showcase the National Library of the Czech Republic as a strategic partner of Wikimedia CZ and demonstrate how The collaboration of Open can function in practice and what path we have walked together so far. Year ago we signed a Memorandum of cooperation. But there have been many small single yet important steps taken in the previous six years which lead to that official act. These steps were taken by individuals, staff & volunteers on both sides and have blossomed into multifaceted collaborations and resulted into one of the strongest Wikimedians in Residence team.


https://youtu.be/UNMNjKSIGc8?t=6816
On 9th June 2023 we signed the Memorandum with the National Library during the Wikimedia Europe Annual meeting.
The Director General of the National Library, Tomáš Foltýn, pointed out that we are in a war with data and he believes it is the duty of the National Library and other cultural institutions to share as much data and relevant data as possible with the public. He stressed the importance of cooperation with Wikidata and described the fact that he officially signed the memorandum in the presence of a representative of the Ministry of Culture, members of the European Parliament and members of Wikimedia Europe as something extraordinary. He thanked the Wikimedia CR staff and volunteers involved in the cooperation with the NL and his team at the NL.

There have been many small single yet important steps taken in the previous six years which lead to that official act. These steps were taken by multiple numbers of individuals, staff and volunteers on both sides and have blossomed into multifaceted collaborations across our programmes and resulted into one of the strongest Wikimedians in Residence team.
We find this cooperation mutual, positive, creative in terms of the diverse spectrum of delivered activities we do together. The National Library helps us to shape what Wikimedian in Residence can mean and how the institution benefits from having an actual team and not only an individual person. And how a Wikimedia chapter can on the other hand benefit from such dedicated strong institutional partners.

Session recording: https://youtu.be/UNMNjKSIGc8?t=6816


How does your session relate to the event themes: Collaboration of the Open?*

We believe not many words are needed in that regard - this is our picture perfect for Collaboration of Open. We now have overlap between the National Library staff, Wikimedians in Residence and members of the WMCZ. It runs on an institutional level as much as it is based on personal relationships between individuals.

What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?*

Average knowledge about Wikimedia projects or activities

How do you plan to deliver this session?*

Onsite in Katowice

What other themes or topics does your session fit into? Please choose from the list of tags below.

Collaboration, Storytelling

See also:

I was born in Prague and currently I live in a little town nearby. Europe in general has been my home for the past 20 years, I have lived in Lithuania and the UK and got a job gig in most of the European countries.
I'm a member and (part-time) Education programmes manager of Wikimedia Czech Republic since May 2019. Since January 2023 I am full-timer, currently as well managing Programmes for Community (editathons, events, campaigns, photographer community).
We run three main programs - Education (4 individual programmes), Community (editors & photographers) and Partnerships (where Wikidata and advocacy fall into).
Most of my work-life I have spend in field of education; mainly the non-formal. I am familiar with and passionate about Youth Work, Learning Experience Design, LifeLong Learning, Erasmus+ programme, Facilitation & Art of Hosting, Graphic facilitation, Impact, Sustainability and Green Events production of events and activities. I do occasionally write publish articles, educational materials and do editors job - e.g. for Council of Europe.
My life got enriched by many things such as: Ultimate Frisbee, slackline, urban cycling or contact improvisation. I love skiing, cross-country skiing, ice-skating and many other sports.
Since 2020 I am a Trager Approach Student and Practitioner. I hold a Greener Event Accessor Certification from Falthmount University in the UK.

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I live in Olomouc and since 2022 I'm a Chief Trainer of Wikimedia Czech Republic since February 2022. Since December 2023 I also became Partnership Programmes Manager of WMCR. In Wikimedia Czech Republic, we run three main programs - EDUcational Programs, Programs for Community and and Programs for Partnerships.

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I live in Prague and I have been a member and Executive Director of Wikimedia Czech Republic since March 2018. I have been a member of the CEE Hub steering committee since the CEE Meeting 2022 and have long been an active member of the CEE community. I am one of the initiators of the CEE Youth group.
In Wikimedia Czech Republic, we run three main programs - EDUcational Programs, Programs for Community and Programs for Partnerships.
I studied social policy and social work and I used to work as a program manager and director at different Czech NGOs and also at the Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

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