Putting CommonsDB into use

Session type: Workshop (60 minutes)

Track: Technology

Speakers

Karin Glasemann (WMSE)

Chief Operating Officer at Wikimedia Sverige. I have worked with digital access to cultural heritage in different roles in the Swedish GLAM sector. My work focused on digital collection management, access through linked open data and open licensing. As GLAM partner, I have initiated several collaborations between Wikimedia and Swedish institutions. I joined Wikimedia Sweden as Chief Officer Operations in September 2025.

Jan Ainali

Wikimedian since 2006, admin on Swedish Wikipedia, but my most active project is Wikidata, followed by Wikimedia Commons. I am co-host of the podcast Wikipediapodden and have been doing some Wikidata Live editing.
Member of Wikimedia Sverige (where I once was the CEO) and a bunch of other affiliates. Most notably, I am a co-founder of Wikimedians for Sustainable Development.

Abstract

CommonsDB is a registry for Public Domain and openly licensed works, fueled by Wikimedia Commons, Europeana, and other media providers. This workshop will show how CommonsDB can be utilized to help during uploads. Users will get guidance to install the gadget and test an upload supported by it. We will also brainstorm more possible use cases beyond the ideas that we already have, and for those who are particularly inspired, map out how they could be implemented. Participants will both get practical knowledge, making future uploads easier, and lay the groundwork for easier workflows for users on Wikimedia Commons, leading to better maintained media.

Additional information

Should your session be selected for the program, do you consent to having your session and supporting materials released on-wiki and on the eventyay platform under CC BY-SA 4.0.?
I agree

How does your session relate to the event theme: Liberté, Équité, Fiabilité (Freedom, Equity, Reliability).
By using CommonsDB and the underlying technology of perceptual hashes, we can ensure that images that are uploaded to Wikimedia Commons really are in the public domain, which is the freest an image can be. They also enable us to reliably group and categorize images in a way that enables maintenance at scale.

Which Wikimedia audiences will find this content the most useful?
GLAM enthusiasts and Wikimedia Commons users. People interested in structured data and technology will also likely find it useful.

What is the replication potential of the project presented? What references can you provide about making this proposal? What elements would enable the same project to be carried out elsewhere?
This session does not need replication in itself, but the participants will get knowledge to put to use in future uploads. The second part will build upon a couple of ideas for better maintenance on Wikimedia Commons and thus rather improve than replicate. Together, we can build on this on Commons, and we can build a community rather than get dispersed afterward.

What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
Average knowledge about Wikimedia projects or activities

How do you plan to deliver this session?
Onsite in Paris