Wikipedia talk:The Wikipedia Library

Question regarding open source college textbooks

Just wondering whether there might be any use of mentioning, possibly for use as sources, some of the newer open source college textbooks like can be found here and here, and, I suppose, whether they might qualify as RS or not, although I assume many or most would qualify for use here. They might certainly make writing some of the articles related to their topics easier. John Carter (talk) 17:09, 21 April 2016 (UTC)

Highlighting free to read external links

The WP:OABOT project aims at enhancing citation templates with free to read links to references, when they are available. We plan to change the visual appearance of many citation templates so we seek consensus here first - we need your input!

Concretely, we plan to change the style of links that are known to link to a free to read resource. Just like links to PDF files have a small PDF icon at the end, we plan to add a small logo indicating that a link is paywall-free. For instance, we know that all links defined by |arxiv= are free, so all citation templates using this parameter would become like this:

{{cite arXiv | collaboration = LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration | last1 = Abbott | first1 = Benjamin P. | arxiv=1602.03840 | title=Properties of the binary black hole merger GW150914 | date=11 February 2016}}

Abbott, Benjamin P.; et al. (LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration) (11 February 2016). "Properties of the binary black hole merger GW150914". arXiv:1602.03840

In this case, the free to read icon would appear without changing any of the template arguments - the Module:Citation/CS1 would be modified directly and this would affect all citation templates globally. We would make this change for other identifiers that are necessarily free to read, such as |pmc=. Technically, the icon would be inserted using CSS code (the same way PDF icons are currently displayed). It could replace the external link icon (->) to save space.

We also want to be able to add this icon on arguments that are not always free to read such as |url= or |doi=. To do so, we would need to change the template to indicate that the link is free, for instance by adding |doi-free=true or |doi-free=10.1016/S0168-0072(03)00052-6

{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1016/S0168-0072(03)00052-6| doi-free=true| issn = 0168-0072| volume = 124| issue = 1–3| pages = 71–106| last1 = Coquand| first1 = Thierry| last2 = Sambin| first2 = Giovanni| last3 = Smith| first3 = Jan| last4 = Valentini| first4 = Silvio| title = Inductively generated formal topologies| journal = Annals of Pure and Applied Logic| date = 2003-12-15}}

Coquand, Thierry; Sambin, Giovanni; Smith, Jan; Valentini, Silvio (2003-12-15). "Inductively generated formal topologies". Annals of Pure and Applied Logic 124 (1-3): 71-106. doi:10.1016/S0168-0072(03)00052-6 . ISSN 0168-0072.

Of course, multiple links in the same citation template could appear with the free to read icon. − Pintoch (talk) 21:58, 10 June 2016 (UTC)

This discussion really ought to be on a general forum like WP:VW or Help:CS1, than on a specific sub-project initiative's talk page. So if you have comments, post them at Help_talk:Citation_Style_1#Adding_open_access_links_to_references, not here, otherwise they likely won't be read. Headbomb {talk / contribs / physics / books} 12:33, 15 June 2016 (UTC)

Huh?

I note MBlairMartin claims to be a Wikipedian-in-Residence despite having a brand-new account. How exactly is this possible? Chris Troutman (talk) 00:29, 21 June 2016 (UTC)

Hey Chris. First off, Wikipedia Library doesn't control WIR positions. You may be confusing our visiting scholar program (WP:VS), now coordinated by Wiki Ed in the U.S. region. As for explanations, it's either a hoax, or more likely a legitimate alternate account from someone who doesn't want to link their real life identity to their prior [extensive] Wikipedia contributions. You could reach out and ask the editor. You might also check with Wikimedia Cascadia, as this is in their region (Pine might have more info). Cheers! Ocaasi (WMF) (talk) 19:16, 21 June 2016 (UTC)

Ok, apparently I'm confused. Chris Troutman (talk) 19:20, 21 June 2016 (UTC)

Keeping track of my accounts

Hi,

Is there an easy way to see which WL accounts I have, when they started, and when they're due to expire? Perhaps there should be a pubic log page for each user? Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:00, 11 July 2016 (UTC)

Hi Andy, we don't have a way to do this in our current system but our upcoming Library Card Platform (alpha release in August) will. Good idea, and something we're doing... Cheers, Jake Ocaasi (WMF) (talk) 19:47, 11 July 2016 (UTC)

The Times

Hello. Is anybody subscribed to The Times? I need to verify the statement of Sting's album rating at [1]. --Jarash (talk) 07:35, 1 August 2016 (UTC)

@Jarash: You can get access to The Times through Gale, or if you just need this source, it might be better to ask at the resource exchange. Sam Walton (talk) 10:54, 1 August 2016 (UTC)

I have access to The Times, and can confirm that this article exists, and that it mentions Sting's If on a Winter's Night... as an "A-list Christmas album"; but it says no more than that. In general, as Sam Walton says, such questions are better addressed to the resource exchange. RolandR (talk) 11:19, 1 August 2016 (UTC)

Anyone anywhere in the UK can get free online access to archives of the The Times, The Guardian and The Observer (ie: the content in the Newsquest/Gale databases) via Manchester Libraries Online. You do not have to be resident in Manchester. - Sitush (talk) 12:45, 1 August 2016 (UTC)

Are you sure about this? I tried, but it insisted that I register, and then rejected my post code as it is not within the Manchester Metropolitan area. RolandR (talk) 15:57, 1 August 2016 (UTC)

Oh dear. There are Wikipedians registered from outside that area - the tip was raised on Eric Corbett's talk page some years ago and definitely worked as of last year. Sorry about that. - Sitush (talk) 16:53, 1 August 2016 (UTC)

Thank you everyone. I don't have enough edits to apply for an Gale account and don't have an opportunity to go to Manchester. --Jarash (talk) 12:28, 3 August 2016 (UTC)

Proposal for Librarybase: an online reference library

Hello everyone. I have submitted a grant proposal for Librarybase, an online reference library. My goal is to create a unified lookup database for sources based on data gathered from Wikipedia. I would like this to integrate with the Wikipedia Library so that you can do a lookup and see which databases have the sources you are looking for. Please review and leave your feedback on the grant proposal. Cheers, Harej (talk) 00:18, 3 August 2016 (UTC)

Link to EBSCO database login page?

I recently started having issues with my computer, which forced me to switch to a spare. Unfortunately, that meant I no longer have access to my bookmarks, one of which was a direct link to the EBSCO database login that I had gotten from The Wikipedia Library. And i'm having difficulty finding that proper login page again. Going through the EBSCO and EBSCOhost pages doesn't seem to be finding me the right page to actually login. Can someone give me a direct link? Silverseren^C 19:16, 17 August 2016 (UTC)