What Libraries and Educators are doing in the virtual world of Second Life

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What Libraries and Educators are doing in the
virtual world of Second Life

• A Tale of Second Life Library 2.0

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In the beginning.

• April 2006 started with a few volunteers in a
  small rental building now we have over 40
  islands 20 for libraries and others for
  partners non-profit, higher education,
  government

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In the beginning.

• 850 self-identified librarians in-world 1600
  friends of the library 700 in google group
• Would avatars use a library?
• Avatars did want a library!

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About Second Life

• In April 2006 180,000 accounts, April 2008
  over 12 million
• 3-d virtual world
• Complete community
• You can be whomever or whatever you want to be
• You can fly, dance, shop, rent a home, run a
  business

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What we are doing

• Collections links to web resources on different
  topics
• Reference
• Networking
• Immersive learning and interactive history
• Events and exhibits
• Library education

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Reference

• public information desk staffed 80 hours/ week by
  volunteers at Info Island International
• Number of questions fill this in
• Many places are unstaffed avatars like personal
  interaction
• Real life reference questions, Second Life
  questions, social chat

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HealthInfo Island

• Medical library run by Namro Orman from Holland
• Consumer health library run by Carolina Keats
• Accessibility center
• Displays, programs, partnerships on displays and
  events
• Many support groups in Second Life such as stroke
  victim

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Promotion of books and reading

• Mystery Manor for mystery book discussions and
  displays has been a Gothic castle and a 19th
  century manor
• SciFi Fantasy Gallery building is a space ship
  with art displays, book displays, author programs

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Promotion of books and reading

• Peace Park Information on different religions
  visit the buildings get a notecard about that
  religion
• Regularly scheduled book and author programs

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Events

• Author programs
• Live music performances
• Literary festival
• Conferences
• Reenactments
• Dances
• Library education

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Library education

• San Jose State University Graduate Library School
  has its own island and offers classes in world
• University of Illinois GSLIS offers continuing
  education non-credit on virtual world
  librarianship and other topics
• Other library schools have a presence

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Networking

• ALA has an island
• ISLMA (Illinois School Library Media Association)
  has a presence
• SLA Special Libraries Association building a
  presence
• Held first Virtual World Libraries, Museums and
  Education conference in March 2008

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Immersive Learning Renaissance Island

• A 16th century Tudor era community where Second
  Life residents can rent a period home
• A replica of the Globe Theater
• Jousting area
• Community plans its own events with a resource
  library of resources on the era

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Immersive LearningRenaissance Island

• The librarian as information guide
• Henry VIII avatar
• Residents can role-play, participate or observe
  and wear period clothing

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Land of Lincoln

• 1860s era
• Replica of period White House
• Plantation with library on slavery, Underground
  Railroad
• Libraries with period books

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Land of Lincoln

• Monthly Lincoln book discussions
• 19th century town
• Balls and other immersive events
• Again librarian as information guide

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Teen Second Life

• Eye4You Alliance island for teens ages 13-17
• Managed by Kelly Czarnecki and Public Library of
  Charlotte-Mecklenberg County
• Teens build their own places and plan their own
  events
• Land of Lincoln teen grid

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What about tweens?

• We are trying to set up a Whybrary in Whyville
• Whyville for kids 8-14
• we had 3 book discussions with 30 tweens in each
  session
• Tweens excited to have a library
• Promote the library and reading

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Educators

• Holding classes in-world
• Mixing SL with Moodle and other learning
  management software
• Networking and partnering with others from all
  over the world
• Creating immersive learning environments such as
  Dantes Inferno