Mutually Dependent : Encyclopedias And Their Audiences

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Encyclopedias and beyond, or: what was modern about the modern encyclopedia?Mutually dependent : Encyclopediasand their audiencesor, how much information literacy doreaders need to use an encyclopedia?Spree 2012-11-08

AgendaPreamblePersonal BackgroundWhat can you expect from this talk?Encyclopedias and information literacyThe changing role of the audience – alternatingbetween consumer and prosumerSumming up – the encyclopedic paradoxMy Sources – Further reading DiscussionSpree 2012-11-08

Personal backgroundPersonal introductionUlrike SpreeProfessor for Knowledge Organization / Information Architecture andInformation Research at the Department of Library and InformationScience at the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg (Germany)In my teaching and research I try to combine my interest in currentquestions of knowledge access and accessibility with a historicperspective.Last year students of my bachelor degree course „User Experienceand Usability Evaluation“ had the opportunity to collaborate with theUsability-Evaluation the European Library Portal (TEL-Portal) Thank you for inviting me to your conferenceSpree 2012-11-08

AgendaAgendaPersonal BackgroundWhat you can expect from this talkgolden threada ‚working definition‘ of encyclopediaEncyclopedias and information literacyThe changing role of the audience – alternatingbetween consumer and prosumerSumming up – the encyclopedic paradoxMy Sources – Further reading Spree 2012-11-08

What you can expect from this talkGoing meta„To know how to use an encyclopedia is better than to be anencyclopedia.“ (Alfred Nobel, 1833 - 1896)This talk- firstly, investigates the contribution of encyclopedias toenhance the information literacy of their readers as well asthe demands on the presumed information competences,- secondly, sheds light on the ways how encyclopaediascommunicate and collaborate with their readers,- thirdly tries to determine whether the concept of informationliteracy is a suitable framework for historical analysis of athe open and fluent genre of encyclopedias.Spree 2012-11-08

A ‚working definition‘ of encyclopediaDefinition“encyclopedia, cyclopedia, encyclopaedia, cyclopaedia (areference work (often in several volumes) containing articles onvarious topics (often arranged in alphabetical order) dealing with theentire range of human knowledge or with some particular specialty)”“dictionary, lexicon (a reference book containing an alphabetical listof words with information about them)”(WordNet 2012-11-08)dictionary, lexiconwordencyclopediathingSpree 2012-11-08

A ‚working definition‘ of encyclopediaDictionary/EncyclopediaDictionary and encyclopedia sharethe following characteristics:1. A structured arrangement of entries following a given for the targetgroup obvious ordering principle that aims to ease the use of thereference work;2. offering direct access to factual information of linguistic and/orencyclopedic character;3. because of their atomistic approach dictionaries and encyclopediasfavour and encourage a selective access to information and areusually not meant for linear reading;4. Dictionary and Encyclopedias are characterized by a primarilypractical-informative purpose. They aim to eliminate doubts on thereaders side regarding the meaning and use of individual wordsand concepts.5. A dictionary or encyclopedia is usually the result of a process ofnegotiating what is regarded as worth knowing at a certain time in adefined context. (Herren, 2007)Spree 2012-11-08

Painting with numbersEncyclopedias in European LibrariesPublications with encyclopedia in title in The EuropeanLibrary Catalog he1

Painting with numbers Rise of encyclopedia productionPublications with encyclopedia in title in TheEuropean Library Catalog 1-17701741-17501721-17301701-17100

AgendaAgendaPersonal BackgroundWhat you can expect from this talkEncyclopedias and information literacyThe changing role of the audience – alternatingbetween consumer and prosumerSumming up – the encyclopedic paradoxMy Sources – Further reading DiscussionSpree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyConcept information literacyRequirements on information literacy1. The ability to know when there is a need forinformation2. Identifying and localizing resources.3. Selecting and analyzing the usefulness of theinformation for solving the problem Evaluating given information critically.4. Organizing and synthesizing of the selectedinformation in order to develop knowledge andsolutions.5. Creating and presenting the solution of theproblem to the appropriate audienceSearchingEvaluating ReflectingAdopting –KnowingRepresenting– sharing(based on Big6, NFL, Referenzrahmen IK)Spree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyLiteracy ratesSocialhistoricalDisclaimer illiteracy rates inEurope did not fallbelow 20% before1850 literacy ratesvaried widely notonly between socialclasses but alsoregionallyEvolution of the illiteracy rate in France as a function of 5-year long generations, born from 1720 to1885. Data from J. Houdailles et A. Blum, "L'alphabétisation au XVIIIe et XIXeme siècle. L'illusionparisienne", Population, n 6, 1985, based on a 1985 INED survey and on the 1901 census. Wikimediacc-by. /Illiteracy france.pngSpree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyInformation need-ency1. The ability to know when there is aneed for information--The development of various types ofsystems of knowledge as such mayserve to indicate a lack of informationfor the reader and encourage learningand study (Encyclopédie, Britannica).Selling/advertising informationproducts and the “The Diffusion ofUseful Knowledge” were alwaysclosely connected (Penny Cyclopedia,Meyers Konversationslexikon).SearchingCover of Pears‘ Cyclopaedia, 1913http://www.alpha2omegabooks.com/?page shop/flypage&product id 5899&CLSN 3442 12907404283442ec7746f61ad6f32952#Spree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyInformation need-user1. The ability to know when there isa need for information--SearchingIn the tradition of the enlightenmentthe alphabetical text presupposedan independent autonomous reader.From 1890 onwards encyclopediasassumed an independent consumerwho would know when to check factand figures, e. g. of consumerproductsDN-0089336, Chicago Daily Newsnegatives collection, Chicago HistoryMuseum, 1929.Spree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyIdentifying information-encySearching2. Identifying and localizing resources--The history of encyclopedias offers an abundance ofinnovations in structuring knowledge.Contemporary digitisation projects often carve out thepotential of these structuring aids.Spree 2012-11-08

Structural aidsReference/LinkStructure:References fromencyclopedic data toother (internal orexternal)Framework Structure:Proportion and distribution of paratexts and lemmata(lemmalist, preface, introduction, list of abbreviations,list of contributors, maps, )Macro Structure:Lemmatisation (order of articles), Sortingstrategy, sort key (alphabetical, systematical,date, relevance)Access Structure:data- and/oruserdefined Access(Alphabet, categorysystem, index, search,visualisations e. g.map, tree, timeline, )Micro Structure:Determination and order of structure elementsinside an encyclopedic entry/article (semanticcomment,definition, collocation, form comment,wordclass, valence, )

Example: Macro StructureTree of knowledgeAus: EncyclopédieFigurative System ofHuman ge:Encyclop%C3%A9die Figurative Systemof Human Knowledge.jpg#fileTree of Knowledge

Example: Macro StructureFrontispiz EncyclopédieDiderot / d’Alembert,Encyclopédie (1772)Charles-Nicolas Cochin (1715–1790); Bonaventure-LouisPrévost (1747–1804?)Allegoric presentation tispizienhauptseite.html http://www.enzyklopaedie.ch/fronti/enzy.html

Example: Macro StructureSystematic overviewChambers‘sCyclopaedia, Vol.1, 1728, Preface, p.ii, View ofKnowledgeBinarydistribution ofknowledge

Example: Access StructureSystematical indexMeyersKonversationslexikon , 1880SystematicFromkeyknowledgedisciplines totopics

Example: Macro structure – category system digitalMacro structureNORWEGE, terre rouge de, (Hist. nat.) espece de terrebolaire, d'un rouge jaunâtre, qui se trouve près de Bergen, enNorwege; elle n'est point onctueuse, est très - légere, ce quidoit faire soupçonner qu'elle est calcaire. On la regardecomme un absorbant & alexipharmaque. Wormius l'appelleterra anti - scorbutica.Encyclopédie,[ ]. Universityof Chicago:ARTFLEncyclopédieProject(Spring ie.uchicago.edu/.Spree 2012-11-08

Example: Macro Structure – added DDCMacro structureModern adaptations of macro structures in digitized versionsKrünitzonlineAttributing Krünitz (1773-1858) articles toDewey Decimal tp://www.kruenitz1.unitrier.de/home.htm

Example: Micro structurePersonal lead dessert)Spree 2012-11-08

Example: Micro structurePersonal introductionIllustreret norskkonversationsleksikon (Seks bind, 1907–1913),Vol. 5, 1912Included dictionarySpree 2012-11-08

Micro structureExample: Emanuel Wurm (delegateof German Reichstag), VolksLexikon, Vol. II, 1894 different fonts for differentmeanings (foreign andGerman words) Pronounciation Word meaning historical background insmaller fontsize jump labels for skimmingand scanning footnotes for more detailedinformation

Example: Access structure – linking systemMeyer, 4. ed. 1885-1892A network of links reference structure- reference to table-bibliographic references-references to other articlesexpressed in various way

Encyclopedias and information literacyIdentifying information-user2. Identifying and localizing resources. Searching-Every new structural device needs to be learned by thereader/user.Simplifiying access reduces the understanding of theinternal structure of a knowledge resource- Finding aids are simply overlooked,- Users may no longer build a cognitive model of aninformation systemFind examples for people who were killed bythe devices they invented?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main Page - ls http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Contents/Lists #History and events http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List of inventors killed by theirown inventionsHelpdesk support. Original taken from the show „Øystein og jeg" onNorwegian Broadcasting (NRK)in 2001. With Øystein Backe(helper)and Rune Gokstad (desperate monk). Written by Knut Naerumhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v pQHX-SjgQvQ

Encyclopedias and information literacyAnalyzing usefulnes-ency3. Selecting and analyzing the usefulness Evaluating of the information for solving theReflectingproblem.-Besides the already mentioned structural tools(alphabetic keys, category systems, internal referencesystems) encyclopedia articles may provide practicalinformation (how-to) as well as moral guidance (earlyeditions of EB, encyclopedias directed to the ‚lowerorders‘ (Volkslexika))Spree 2012-11-08

Encyclopaedia Britannica,11th edition, Vol. XXII, 1911- Making common things interesting- Inspiring the pursuit of knowledge- Recommendation how to keep potatoes

Encyclopedias and information literacyAnalyzing usefulness user3. Selecting and analyzing the usefulness Evaluating of the information for solving theReflectingproblem.„You had been told one lie on the top of another. And all the timethe truth was there, in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.“ (from thenovel „Mary Olivier“ by May Sinclair, 1919)Users need to:- understand layout conventions- understand and interpret rhetorical conventions / hiddenallusions- understand intentions of a text – read a text criticallySpree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyOrganizing synthesizing4. Organizing and synthesizing of theselected information in order todevelop knowledge and solutions.Adopting Knowinga) Discriminating between fact and opinion- Up to the 1860s most British and Germanencyclopedias openly revealed that the articles reflectedthe bias of the eminent authors,- facts were backed by bibliographical footnotesb) Noticing various interpretations of data- encyclopedias are far less consistent than wegenerally assume and a attentive reader is bound todetect contradictions (Encyclopédie; EB; Wikipedia?)

Encyclopedias and information literacyOrganizing-ency4. Organizing and synthesizing of the selectedinformation in order to develop knowledgeand solutions.Adopting Knowingc)d)-Finding additional information if neededBibliographical references,References to other articlesOrganizing ideas and information logicallyencyclopedia articles are structured and topical and could beused model for text production (definition, historical development,secured facts, open questions )-Do the users discover, understand and use the offered tools?The chances are less good if help was outsourced in paratexts

Encyclopedias and information literacyRepresenting-sharing-ency5. Creating and presenting the solution ofthe problem to the appropriateaudienceRepresenting– sharing- the process of encyclopedic text production was only rarely laid openbefore Wikipedia (Wie ein Konversationslexikon gemacht wird 1879;Tomlinson 1986)- based on high division of labor (fact checkers, researchers, editors,authors, external experts in local and national authorities, knowledgeorganizers (indexing, classifiers, layout, proof-reading, )- set of written or orally transmitted guidelines of good practice like thefamous Wikipedia Five e pillars)Spree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyCreating-user5. Creating and presenting the solution of the problem to theappropriate audience-Encyclopedias are and were used in text-productionTheir authoritative tone always invited to copy and pasteDo you remember the critic of the "EatanswillGazette"? He had to review for that admirablejournal a work on Chinese Metaphysics. Mr. Potttells the story of the article."He read up for the subject, at my desire, in theEncyclopædia Britannica . he read for metaphysicsunder the letter M, and for China under the letter C,and combined his information!" (The Secret Glory.By Arthur Machen.1922)Representing– sharingSpree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyCreating-user5. Creating and presenting the solution of the problem to theappropriate audience„An dieser Stelle stand ein Text, der sonicht auf SPIEGEL ONLINE hätteerscheinen dürfen. Er erläuterte dieHintergründe zum Völkermord in Ruandaund bestand in wesentlichen Teilen ausPassagen, die wörtlich dem OnlineLexikon Wikipedia entnommen wurden,ohne die Quelle zu nennen.“ Spiegelonline 2005-02-24.Representing– sharingSpree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyInformation accessPrerequisite of information literacy - Access toadequate information resources-Not mentioned in the concepts of information literacyHowever, prerequisite to become information literate-Dictionaries and Encyclopedias allow a structured access to factualinformation.They offer storage and structure.In this respect they can always be seen as a contribution to makefactual resources accessible to an increased audience- The discourse of new types of encyclopedias with new methods ofmaking information accessible to (new) audience has always to beseen as a re(negotiation) how access to information should becontrolled and fundedSpree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacyInformation accessJimmy Wales: Call for donations,Wikipedia 2012-11-06Spree 2012-11-08

Encyclopedias and information literacy : RésuméInformation access‚The concept of ‚informations literacy‘ could beapplied as an analytical tool for analysis andperiodization of encyclopedias revealingcontinuities as well as changes.Spree 2012-11-08

AgendaAgendaPersonal BackgroundWhat can you expect from this talkEncyclopedias and information literacyThe changing role of the audience –alternating between consumer and prosumerSumming up – the encyclopedic paradoxMy Sources – Further reading DiscussionSpree 2012-11-08

The (changing) role of the audienceaudiences“ [ ] a book like this one ought to be shaped not only bya body of contributors but by a body of readers, .”Edward Blishen, educator, Radio moderator,editor of Junior Pears Encyclopedia, 1964(Source: http://www.garyede.com.au/blishen-edward1978)Spree 2012-11-08

The (changing) role of the audienceaudiencesFast motion: intended and real audiences of GeneralEncyclopedias (1700 – 1880)Spree 2012-11-08

The (changing) role of the audienceaudiencesFast motion: intended and real audiences of GeneralEncyclopedias (1890 – 2010)Spree 2012-11-08

The (swaying) role of the audiencePersonal introductionThe reader is in various aspects part of the encyclopedicprocess- Social nearness between producers and readers- Readers contributed as external experts (academics,diplomats, military people, travellers, )- New reading audiences provoked new ideas forlexicographic products (Zeitungslexika,Konversationslexikon, factual information)- and as diligent writer of letters to the editorSpree 2012-11-08

The (swaying) role of the audiencePersonal introduction„Anerkannte Autoritäten der Geschichtswissenschaft haben es wiederholtausgesprochen, daß keine Geschichtsdarstellung auch entlegener Zeitendurchaus objektiv und unparteiisch sein könne und auch nicht sein solle, “(Transl. Respeceted authorities repeatedly confirmed that no historicalpresentation can be objective and unbiased.)Ein mittelparteilicher Standpunkt hat immer noch den Vorzug, bei denExtremen am wenigsten anzustoßen. Es wird daher das beste sein, bei derbisherigen Richtung zu bleiben und nur nach Vollständigkeit, Richtigkeit,Gerechtigkeit und Milde im Urteil zu streben. (Meyer, Korrespondenzblattzum 17. Band)„Dieses wissenschaftliche Urteil auszusprechen ist das KonversationsLexikon berechtigt, ja verpflichtet. Eine "Parität" gibt es beiwissenschaftlicher Beurteilung nicht.“ Meyer, Korrespondenzblatt zum 17.Band)„Einen Artikel üer die „Problemkunst“ finden Sie im Register- undSupplementband, Korrespondenzblatt zum 15. Band)Spree 2012-11-08

The (swaying) role of the audiencePersonal introductionWikipedia, Version History Discussion lemma „Kartoffel“ (Potato)391 changes between 2003-11-4 and 2012-10-3„Ich find schon, dass die Kartoffelgerichte in der einen oder anderenForm reingehören - immerhin ist es eine "typisch" mitteleuropäischeKüche“ (2003)„Ich kenn zwar das Buch nicht, aber die Annahme "wissenschaftlichesBuch richtig" muss nicht unbedingt stimmen. (2007)„Ich bin seit nun mehr 20 'Jahren Kartoffelbauer und ich muss sagendass es bei weitem kein Problem mit der Schale gibt. Wenn deine Omaalles so viel besser weiß warum ist sie dann kein studerterKartoffelexperte? Meine Oma isst sie mit Schale und ist fit! Ps: Diebesten Kartoffeln gibts bei mir! (2010)Spree 2012-11-08

The (swaying) role of the audiencePersonal introductionWikipedia, Version History „Kartoffel“ (Potato)391 changes between 2003-11-4 and 2012-10-3Topics:- Content: recipies with potatoes, poisenousness, cultural history (origin,geographical dissemination)- Fact checking: historical facts, statistics on dissemination- Article structure: ‚outsourcing‘ of content in new articles- Deleting typos and grammatical mistakes- Small talk e.g. on health issuesSpree 2012-11-08

The (swaying) role of the audiencePersonal introductionHow do readers communicate with an encyclopedia?- adding details (e. g. on foreign countries),- making suggestions for improvement (layout,pronounciation),- negotiating what content should be included and excluded,- demanding more information / updated information,- claiming a (neutral) point of viewSpree 2012-11-08

The (swaying) role of the audienceMutually as and their users are mutually dependent –this can either cause a downwards or upwards spiralSpree 2012-11-08

The (swaying) role of the audienceInformation cycleFigure: Information-cycle (Satirical magazine Titanic 2008)Spree 2012-11-08

The (swaying) role of the audienceInformation cycleReaders feel responsible for an encyclopediaand- develop a common practice (e. g. for verification –facts need to be verified by bibliographic resources)- learn and accept common rules- Identify with the product and report mistakesSpree 2012-11-08

Outlook: From consumer to prosumerInformation cycleExperiences from 2 seminars at HAW-HamburgWriting aWikipedia articleFoto: Paula Markert.Spree 2012-11-08

Outlook: From consumer to prosumerInformation cycleExperiences with writing the article:- students underestimated the effort for research and verificationand the writing of good definitions,- guidelines – although difficult to find – were perceived ashelpful,- felt grately motivated by immediate response on their article,- were slightly disappointed that most responses dealt withformal questions like quotations,- had expected more discussion of the content itself,- most students modelled their article against a similar example,- experience boosted respect for Wikipedia.Spree 2012-11-08

Outlook: From consumer to prosumer?Information cycleAlexandra: „Werde ich ein Wikipedianer? Ich glaube nicht, da ichgenügend eigene Projekte in meiner Freizeit verfolge, die für michpersönlich höhere Priorität haben. Ich schätze allerdings dieErfahrung sehr, da ich jetzt das Gefühl habe, ein „Recht“ zu haben,über Wikipedia zu urteilen und Kritik zu üben.“Isabelle: „Sollte mir allerdings ein Fehler bei der Recherche ineinem Wikipediaartikel auffallen, so werde ich in Zukunft daraufhinweisen bzw. eine Änderung vornehmen.“Spree 2012-11-08

AgendaAgendaPersonal BackgroundWhat you can expect from this talkEncyclopedias and information literacyThe changing role of the audience – alternatingbetween consumer and prosumerSumming up – the encyclopedic paradoxMy Sources – Further reading DiscussionSpree 2012-11-08

Summing up – encyclopedic paradox(es)Summing up1. Every improvement in accessibility and usability bears the danger ofdecreased attention on the user’s side.2. General encyclopedias are directed towards ‘the general reader’,however central lexicographic tasks like selection of content,providing the appropriate depth of information, deciding on methodsto ensure objectivity and verification are impossible without definingtypes of usage and user roles.3. The quality debate on encyclopedias needs to be complemented bya debate on the amount of transparency and agency anencyclopedia grants and offers their users4. Information literacy needs to be actively practiced.Suggestion for the discussion: Encyclopedias get the audiencethey deserve versus audiences get the encyclopediathey ask forSpree 2012-11-08

AgendaAgendaPersonal BackgroundWhat you can expect from this talkThe changing role of the audience – alternatingbetween consumer and prosumerEncyclopedias and information literacySumming up – the encyclopedic paradoxMy Sources – Further reading DiscussionSpree 2012-11-08

My sources – further readingMany thanks to:SourcesMy students from my master courses „Online Encyclopedias“ in2011/2012The website and publication of the Swiss Research-project»Allgemeinwissen und Gesellschaft«, URL: www.enzyklopaedie.ch,Retrieved: 2012-11-08Reagle, Joseph Michael: Good Faith Collaboration : The Culture ofWikipedia. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2011Numerous consultations ofWikipediaSpree 2012-11-08

AgendaAgendaPersonal BackgroundWhat you can expect from this talkThe changing role of the audience – alternatingbetween consumer and prosumerEncyclopedias and information literacySumming up – the encyclopedic paradoxMy Sources – Further reading DiscussionSpree 2012-11-08

Discussion and questionsDiscussion

Encyclopedias and information literacy Organizing synthesizing 4. Organizing and synthesizing of the selected information in order to develop knowledge and solutions. Adopting - Knowing a) Discriminating between fact and opinion - Up to the 1860s most British and German encyclopedias openly revealed that the articles reflected

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