Library 2014: Because what was the point if we're not going to do anything?

The Index:

I think it's pretty clear that the current book method is kind of fucked. Any system of categorization where the users are constantly having to check with staff to see where what the write should be put is kind of fucked. The idea of categorizing pages by content is a good one, but the way we're doing it is completely messed up. There's no point in having a list of “genres”, when that list is both incomplete and vague.

I like Moose's idea for the changed conceit: “The Index is run by the Serpent's Hand, and is a collection of knowledge gleaned from texts in the Library. Founded by L.S., but now run communally and/or by the Nest (new background characters).”

I can imagine the Hand sorting the tales into sections by general type (Poetry, Journal, Written History, Oral Tradition, etc), and within those types having different subcategories (From Other Worlds, From Our World, Of [GOI], Of [World], Forbidden Knowledge... I dunno, that would take more time to flesh out the right amount that they cover all the options, and also be fairly straightforward).

There should also be some way to categorize the various “universes” that have already been created and that more people will be creating. Elrich, the Haskhakian Inscriptions, Gaffsey's MC&D and Russian Magic thing, Silber's Giants Doorway, The Ravelwoods, etc. Perhaps there could be some sort of “catalogue of worlds” that the Hand keeps, with descriptions of each as well as lists of all their work.

(I feel like this is a good place to reiterate that I really think the future of WL as a whole lays in establishing several interesting shared universes for people to write in, and allowing them to create their own. Moose and Djoric have both already pointed out the problem with how the Library currently manages things- it creates a system where it's just sort of a dumping grounds for stuff that isn't good enough to publish, or a test site for stuff we might want to publish. By moving to a much more canon oriented system, we would establish more of a purpose for our existence, make ourselves more accessible to new people, and provide more of a direction for new writers. Obviously this includes fleshing out the Hand sections of the site)

Another possible idea is to move to an alphabetical system of categorization, perhaps with each letter in a different tab to make it more manageable, with a short blurb to describe each link. Perhaps a snippet from the tale, perhaps an IC description by the hand, whatever. It would probably be up to each author. I think this could be pretty neat, but a huge pain in the ass to move over to (I'm willing to do the legwork for it), and could be a bit annoying to authors when they wanted to post. No more annoying than actually find a book though.

The Archives: The I think Moose covered the Archives pretty well in his Library 2014 post, but now we just need to get around to actually posting them. The Mysteries and Background pages are both very good ideas that would help a lot. This is a thing we should start doing ASAP. Perhaps enlist the help of some non-staff members who are also good writers and care about the site to help? Gaffsey, Silber, Bunton, Jack if we can find him, Plilt (see Jack), and Punk come to mind.

A Contest: I think it's about time for another one. Maybe a canon contest? Maybe something smaller right now, and then do a big, content-expanding contest in the summer. Of course, we need to be more active to have a genuinely big, content expanding thing.

Which leads us to promotion/internet outreach. We've done a bit of pimping on the scp fb/twitter, but that's really not the best place for it. It's okay to do some, I feel, but obviously people aren't coming to those places for WL, they come for SCP. Would it be feasible to try to send links out to prominent blogs/sites in the hope that they feature us? I think it might be worth talking to Aelanna about this.