Microgrants/Approved

Grants Project grants (£5–250) or Partnership Funding (£250 and upwards) Scholarships Evaluation Panel

Persian miniature painting book

Overview

Really arising from the British Library Editathon earlier this month, this was one of the books I got out at the BL, but only had the time to skim it briefly. The full title is: Titley, Norah M. Persian Miniature Painting, and Its Influence on the Art of Turkey and India: the British Library collections, 1983, University of Texas Press, ISBN 0292764847 (272 double col. pages; British Library Pubs in UK), and it is arguably still the standard work on the whole subject. I would not be buying the book if I were not going to use it on WP, and will in time be able to add & expand a large number of articles from it.

Budget

£12.64 via Amazon, a remarkably cheap price. The next cheapest 2nd hand copy on Amazon is £34.40, and the cheapest on Abebooks £19.31 (all prices include p&p). The postage is only £2.80 on mine & possibly the American seller may come back & ask for more for that; I have had the order accepted though. That must be below actual cost for a heavy book coming from the US (by pallet, to be posted only in the UK I expect). The £12.64 is about the travel cost of 1.5 trips to Central London to me, where the nearest library copies are (reference copies only, like the BL).

Expected outcomes

Islamic painting, which is mainly in miniatures in manuscripts, covering over 600 years, is a really weak area in WP, & of course British collections are very strong in it. I did Khamsa_of_Nizami_British_Library, Or. 12208 at the editathon and after, then moved on to Persian_miniature_painting, which I have expanded greatly. But although I have two short books on that specific subject, plus Grove online etc, I have found I need more to really move the area on. With Titley's very comprehensive book as the main source, I would be able over time to greatly improve that one, perhaps to FA standard, and add many articles on the most important manuscripts and artists of Persian, and also Mughal and Ottoman, miniatures, which have their own main articles that are still very weak. Category:Islamic_illuminated_manuscripts would be hugely improved. I can easily see 20-30 mostly new articles eventually, though that will take a good while. If any other editors were interested I could lend the book via the London meetups.

Who I am

Some of you know me; art history is my main subject, & I have 7 FAs (mostly in collaboration), & 157 DYKs etc. Also 80K+ edits, & I presented a talk at the British Museum conference last year. Johnbod 11:49, 28 January 2011 (UTC)

Discussion

• Looks good to me - happy to approve this if Tom's also happy with it. Have you already purchased the book, or do you want us to purchase it for you? Thanks. Mike Peel 12:33, 29 January 2011 (UTC)
• Approved. Please let me know how you want the money sent (bank transfer or post) and give me the details by email (treasurer _*AT*_ wikimedia.org.uk). Please keep in mind that the book will belong to us so, when you are finished with it (I understand that may take a few years!) please give it to us so we can more easily make it available to other Wikimedians. Thanks! --Tango 20:44, 3 February 2011 (UTC)

Thanks! I've ordered it & paid by card. I'll be at the Board interest meeting (if that is confirmed) if that is an easy way, otherwise post or transfer. You have my address I think (chapter member), but not my bank a/c. Johnbod 21:12, 3 February 2011 (UTC)

Ok, I'll bring a cheque book with me to the meeting. --Tango 21:49, 3 February 2011 (UTC)

Fantastic. :) The board interest meeting is confirmed - look forward to seeing you there. Mike Peel 22:31, 3 February 2011 (UTC)

University of Manchester Outreach - 14th July 2011

Overview

After the success of the Imperial College collaboration between myself and Vinesh Patel, I am hoping to recreate this with the University of Manchester, as their Information Skills Co-ordinator is looking to collaborate with us. The purpose of this meeting would be to establish what kinds of collaboration the library is interested in. However, the initial email exchange indicates that they would be interested in the following:

• Creating a student-run Wikipedia Society
• Donating materials to our archives
• Participating in 'Wikipedia Surgeries' - where students could learn how to use Wikipedia productively with regards to their studies.
• Engaging the academic community of the university in Wikipedia-related projects (e.g. donating information and expertise to the project)

Update

The library's information department are very keen on this and they will all be attending. A full presentation will be given on what we can offer them and what we would like them to offer us

Budget

• £38.90 - For train tickets for me to travel from Coventry to Manchester for the day

• £30.00 - Although I am not looking for a job with Wikimedia UK (I know you're not advertising), I also know from my experience with Imperial College that supporting the growth of a Wikipedian Society is a full-time position. For this reason I am asking for compensation for my time whilst I am away from home and 'selling' to the colleges.

Promoting and supporting these societies involves at the very least the following:

• Creating and organising presentations to show to academics/librarians/students to 'sell' Wikipedia
• Creating leaflets to be handed out to the student population
• Organising Wikipedians for more formal events (e.g. a fresher's fair stall or a leafleting campaign)
• Teaching students/faculty how to use Wikipedia as a representative of project as a whole
• Organising GLAM-style events to gain access to the organisation's historical archives etc.

Though many of these things can and should be developed by committee, the committee still requires a leading hand and this is a task I am more than willing to undertake. After my success collaborating with Vinesh at Imperial College, I have no doubt that this project will also be a success which, if anything like Imperial College, will gain good press and standing for Wikimedia UK as a whole.

Expected outcomes

I expect that the initial meeting will provide us with a clear indication of what the university is willing to provide as well as a clear map of how to go forward with this collaboration. I anticipate that the university will want leaflets and other media from us, and that we will also be able to arrange dates for 'Wikipedia Surgeries' as well as open up the possibility of having a stall at the fresher's fair on campus. I also expect that the initial meeting will provide us with contacts within the university with which we can expand the inital project (e.g. enthusiastic academics willing to support Wikipedia/a student group)

Who I am

Hello! I am User:Panyd on the English Wikipedia. I applied for many microgrants for Imperial College, but that was with the old board. I am a very enthusiastic Wikipedian with a knack for selling. If you have any questions about my involvement with Imperial or what I hope to acheive both at or after Manchester University, please feel free to email me or put something in the discussion board here.

Discussion

Sounds great to me! The Land 12:35, 7 July 2011 (UTC)

Happy to approve the travel element; I'll have to get back to you on the other part, though... Mike Peel 18:43, 9 July 2011 (UTC)

More than fair enough :) Panyd 22:57, 9 July 2011 (UTC)