Wikipedia’s Niagara-focused content got a welcome refresh during a recent Wikipedia Edit-a-thon hosted by the Brock University Library and the Department of Communication, Popular Culture and Film in conjunction with the Wikimedia Foundation.

The daylong event saw more than 40 visitors popping in and out to learn from experts and contribute to Wikipedia entries related to the Niagara region.

Hourly presentations from Hannah Clover of Wikimedia Canada and local Wikipedian Ben Hartmans covered editing, adding photos and using local sources. David Sharron of Brock Archives and Special Collections also presented on how archives can be used to support Wikipedia editing.

Those who registered for the event had their contributions tracked on the Wikipedia event page. Over the course of a few hours, these participants contributed to more than a dozen articles on topics ranging from landmarks such as the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and Brock’s Monument to political entries about local figures and Niagara Regional Council.

Associate Professor of Communication Karen Louise Smith encouraged students in her third-year Communication and Media and Policy course to attend the event.

“During the Edit-a-thon, it was neat to watch my students learn how easy it is to upload a photo to the Wikimedia Commons or to suggest an edit for a Niagara-based Wikipedia page,” says Smith. “Some students worked on pages about local attractions, while others worked on updating profiles about notable local figures.”

The event also provided career insights for Morgan Jenckes, a fourth-year Media and Communications student in Smith’s class who aspires to be a teacher. She says learning how articles are “created, edited and improved through collaboration” will serve her well in her career.

“As a future elementary school teacher, I can see myself applying what I learned to help students develop digital literacy skills,” says Jenckes. “I look forward to using Wikipedia as a teaching tool to demonstrate how information is created and why credible sources matter. Ultimately, I hope to create a classroom that encourages curiosity, independent thinking and responsible engagement with digital information.”

Evidence Synthesis Librarian Monica Rettig of the Brock University Library, who helped organize the event, says the event also sparked some important discussions for participants.

“Discussing Wikipedia editing policies always opens up fascinating topics of debate related to the nature of notability, neutral point of view and verifiability,” she says. “As a librarian, I find these events are an ideal way for students to find their way into these complex conversations.”

Hartmans agrees, adding it was gratifying to see so many students popping into the Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon.

“It’s thrilling that so many people were interested in open information and making new, positive contributors to the Internet,” he says.

Clover, who grew up in Niagara and was only 21 when she became the youngest ever Wikimedian of the Year in 2024, says it was great to return to the region and share her experiences with people new to Wikipedia. She was especially interested in Sharron’s presentation on Archives staff creating entries about important Niagara residents in 2016 and how they learned to navigate the process.

“I think it’s incredibly valuable when an institution does that sort of public outreach. And it’s always useful to know what the Wikipedia experience is like from the other side of the screen,” Clover says.