Libraries and Second Life: Getting
Started in Virtual Reality
Susan Acampora
Systems Librarian
The College of New
Rochelle
May 8, 2009

Presentation Goals
• To introduce Second Life
• To introduce library initiatives in SL
• To encourage other librarians to become
involved
• To provide information on getting started
• To share useful resources

Presentation Resources
Library Resource Guide:
Libraries and Second Life
http://libraryguides.cnr.edu

We don’t stop playing because we
grow old.
We grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw

Where is Virtual Reality?
L'atmosphère: météorologie populaire - Camille Flammarion, 1888
Image from Wikipedia

Virtual Worlds Abound
http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/ http://www.virtualworldsreview.com/
http://librariansmatter.com/blog/2008/08/07/around-40-virtual-worlds-in-seven-
minutes/

THERE
http://www.there.com

Active Worlds Educational Universe
http://www.activeworlds.com/edu/awedu.asp

MOOVE Online
http://www.moove.com

Kaneva
http://www.kaneva.com

Prototerra
http://www.prototerra.com/

Open Croquet
Open Source Application
http://www.opencroquet.org

Second Life
http://www.secondlife.com

Second Life
• over 12 Million registered users
• Monthly traffic average
»about 1.4 million people worldwide
»402,000 from the USA
Statistics:
http://www.quantcast.com/secondlife.com

So what exactly is Second Life?
• Online 3D, Digital, Interactive,
• Social Networking Environment.
• A platform that enables users throughout the
world to create and collaborate and interact.
• And, that extends and envelops the Internet into
a 3 dimensional experience.

SL grew out of gaming tradition
but it is not a game.

Unlike Gamers, SL Users :
Do Not follow a predetermined set of
objectives.
and
Do Not strive to complete tasks
- to advance through levels of
achievement to reach their goals.

Rather, SL is…a MUVE
a Multi-User Virtual Environment
– open-ended, un-restricted, and immersive,
– imagined, created and managed by its users,
– The 3D Internet
• …Users participate in much the same activities as
they would in real life,
• …and in the same tasks as they do elsewhere on the
internet.

SL is made up of scores of digital land parcels
called islands that together form “the grid” or
the whole of SL.

Inhabited by users, called “residents”
represented by digital images of
themselves, called “avatars.”

Who envision, own, create, and build
their world
A world enveloped by land, sky, sea, space….

…and gravity…yes we can fly!

Avatars can…
• Communicate (chat, IM, or voice)
• Travel (walk, run, drive, sail, fly, dance, swim or teleport)
• Socialize (dances/concerts/lectures/cultural events)
• Work (volunteers or for Linden Dollars L$1000 =$4 USD)
• Buy, Sell, Trade RL or SL items
• Own Land
• Take Classes
• Play or Study

Avatars Can Even Have A Pet

A Bit of SL History

Snow Crash by
Neal Stephenson
1992
• A Futuristic Novel,
• characters live and function much of the time in a virtual reality
called the “Metaverse”
• a term often used to refer to Second Life.
• Snow Crash was a major influence on the creator of Second Life.

Philip Rosedale
-In 1999 opened Linden
Born in 1968 Labs, on Linden Alley in
Immersed in Sci Fi and Technology San Francisco.
An Entrepreneur
-Evolved his early virtual
world experiments into
Second Life.
- SL launched April 2003

Second Life was originally called
Linden World
Reminiscent of early computer games, it evolved
from a firey, battle-torn terrain featuring a
humanoid named Primitar, to…

A complex, interactive community.

How do Educator’s See
Second Life

The Horizon Report
 New Media Consortium and Educause.
 Began in 2002. Published yearly.
 Identifies emerging technologies expected to
have a significant impact on higher education.
 In 2007, identified Virtual Reality as a major
technology to evolve over the third adoption
horizon of 4 to 5 years.

Praise for Virtual Worlds
“ …they are growing in popularity because they combine
many of the elements that make Web 2.0 really exciting:
social networking, the ability to share rich media
seamlessly, the ability to connect with friends, a feeling
of presence, and a connection to the community.
http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2007_Horizon_Report.pdf
“Over 200 academic institutions in SL as of 2008.”
Pathfinder Linden

Second Life Acknowledges and
Supports Education
• SLED Second Life for Educators Web Site
http://secondlife.com/education
– SLED Blog
https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/community/education
– SLED Listserv
https://lists.secondlife.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/educators
SLEDucators also maintain a SLED Wiki
http://www.simteach.com/wiki/index.php?title=Second_Life_Education_Wiki

Educational Institutions in SL

Bradley University
Cullom-Davis Library – Peoria, ILL.

Graduate School Virtual Ed Series
Second Life 101
Class held at SL Campus of Bradley University

NMC : New Media Consortium

NMC : New Media Consortium
http://www.nmc.org/
NMC is an international, non-profit
consortium .
Approx. 300 educational institutions.
Dedicated to the exploration and use of
new media and new technologies.

A Class at NMC Campus
http://sl.nmc.org/about/

NMC Malcolm Brown Library

NMC Movie “Seriously Engaging: The Story
of the NMC Campus in Second Life”
http://sl.nmc.org/2006/06/12/seriously-engaging-movie/
 NMC Blog: The Campus Observer
http://sl.nmc.org/

University of Utah – Marriott Library

Stanford University Libraries

San Jose State University GSLIS

SJSU Library Student at Work

What Are Librarians Doing in SL?

• Building Virtual Libraries
• Providing Reference Services to Online
Communities
• Creating Online Collections
• Hosting and Holding Events
– Art Exhibits, Tours, Book Discussions, Classes
• Volunteering in SL Libraries
• Marketing
• Providing SL Skills Building Workshops
• Networking with colleagues around the world
• Translation Programs are available

Preparing for the Future
 SL is in Formative stages.
 The efforts of librarians are helping to set
the foundation for the future of distance and
virtual education.

• Research and Development
• Exploring and Integrating New Tools for
Better Information Delivery

Information Delivery
– Reference (On-Site,
Roaming)
– Linked Objects
– Information Architecture
– Immersive Learning
– Integration with Existing
Systems: CMS

Reference Service
Synchronous Communication
vs
Asynchronous Communication

Reference
Synchronous Communication
Communication: Local Chat, IM, Group IM, Voice

Asycnchronous Communication
Info Bots/Chat Bots
These bots
impart information
in the absence of a
librarian.
Sometimes automated
interactive games are
used.

Digital Objects

Some Objects Are Simply Readable
But Most Objects Link to Information

Linking to Notecards

Linking to Places Via Teleport

Teleport Directory

Teleport to Subject Library

Objects Linking to Media:
Slideshows
Library Events
History of Virtual Reality

Objects Linking to Video

Objects Linking to Web Sites

That launch your web browser and
bring you to a website.

The Virtual Harlem Bookstore

The Online Virtual Harlem Bookstore

Architecture as Information
The Environment Speaks for Itself

Sistine Chapel at Vassar
The Environment speaks for itself

The Globe Theatre

A Walk Through Vincent’s Starry Night

St. Pauls Cathedral

Immersive Learning Environments
Role Playing and Re-enactments

• A Librarian may direct a patron to
Renaissance Island to interview Henry VIII

Jousting on Renaissance Island

The Land of Lincoln

Systems Integration

SLOODLE which combines Second Life with the
Moodle learning management system.
http://web.me.com/dlaks/FSO
_Blog/LMO/Entries/2009/5/3_
Future_Trends.html

Libraries in Second Life

Two Major Library Initiatives
The Alliance Virtual Library
The Alexandrian Free Library Consortium

Alliance Virtual Library
• Alliance Virtual Library • Main Islands
– Info Island International
– Second Life Library Project
– Info Island 1, 2
– Alliance Library System of Peoria – Infotainment
Illinois – Cybrary City, 1 and 2
– Ala Arts/Info island
– Started with InfoIsland and
evolved to 43 island Archipelago – Renaissance Island
– Health Info Island
– Staffed by international – Educ Islands 1,2,3,4
volunteers 80 hrs/week
– Partnered with – There are many information
• Non Profit centers in each island.
• Educational Institutions (SJSU)
• Government Agencies (CDC)

Info Island Foster Library
Library collections on
agriculture, art and crafts,
astronomy, fashion,
geography, history, math,
military science, sports,
veterinary science, world
literature.

Info Island International

Information, Communications and
Technology Library
• General Info Tech Resources
• Teacher’s Toolkits
• SL guides to building, scripting, appearances
• Vendor Products Links
• Freeware

Sci Fi and Fantasy Portal
• A Tribute to Snow Crash

Mystery Manor

Peace Park – Religious Resources

Health Info Island
The Consumer Health and Medical Libraries - CDC

Rachelville Childrens Library
A whimsical environment of
creatures, castles, secret gardens
embedded with links to children’s
and young adult literature

For more information on libraries in the
AVL and elsewhere see the SLED Wiki or
Infoisland.org (AVL Blog)

The Alexandrian
Free Library Consortium

AFLC
A consortium of community-based libraries.
Affiliated with:
-Alliance Virtual Library,
-The Second Life Library Project,
-Information Island.
Provides services and resources suited to the
various communities they serve.

Caledon

A community dedicated to the 19th
century imagination.
Comprised of many locations and libraries

Tenderly cared for by
Director JJ Drinkwater

The Caledon Whitehorn Library

The Madam Curie Library

Reading Room

The Toussaint L'Overture
Community Library of New
Toulouse

Dedicated to the spirit of New Orleans,
LA and its surrounding swamplands
and bayous from 1890-1920

Complete with a re-creation of the
famous New Orleans cemeteries

Cobblestone streets and shops

Take a Ride on the
Streetcar Named Desire

Relax in a Cafe

New Toulouse Library

Library Exhibit
Reawakening Kate Chopin

Winterfell
The following descriptive narrative is taken from the
Winterfell covenant.

“Winterfell is a twilight dream realm…”

“A gothic fantasy region inspired by the
magnificence of medieval castles…”

“…and the romantic elegance of Victorian
manors…”
The Alexandrian Free
Library Consortium

“…basking in the splendor of twilight…”
The Alexandrian Free
Library Consortium

“Designed and inspired by stories, dreams
and creative interpretations of reality…”

With a magestic Library

With cozy seats, a real time clock,
paintings, bookcases, and mysterious
items.

End your journey at the library with a copy
of Frankenstein or another sci fi or fantasy
book.

Amatsu Shima
Heavenly Island

An Asian inspired community devoted
to tranquility, creativity, and reflection

Filled with exquisite scenery

Getting Started

Front of Gallery

Art Galleries : The Dreams of Children

Conference Spaces
Getting Started

And a Unique Library

Getting Started

Ariel View of Library Complex

Getting Started

Getting Started

House of Tradition – History Library

House of Poetry

Children’s Literature House

Others AFLC Libraries to explore….
The R.F.Burton Public Library of New Babbage
The West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center
The Steeltopia Public Library
The Deadwood Library Association
The Librarium

Getting Started
• Go to http://secondlife.com
• Check the Technical Specifications
• Register free account
• Create an Avatar
• Download the Second Life Viewer
• Log in to enter Second Life
• Arrive at Orientation Island to learn the basics of
getting around, chatting, etc.

Other Sites for Continued Learning
• Help Island Public
Building tutorial and sandbox to practice in
• NMC Orientation Center
• Virtual Ability
• The Ivory Tower of Primitives (Building
Tutorials)

NMC Orientation Center

Instruction Boards for Training

Virtual Ability http://virtualability.org/
An Island dedicated to assisting people with disabilities
explore and integrate into virtual worlds.
AN EXCELLENT SITE FOR ALL BEGINNERS IN SL
Provides lessons, exercises and tests
Ends with
• a free shopping spree to help develop appearance
• a Mentor section where you may ask questions

Learn to Move

Manage Your Appearance

Learn to Communicate,
Make Friends, Join Groups

Navigate

Control Your Perspective

Learn to Fly

Dance

When You Are Ready to Build
Video by Torley Linden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcdtU485BqQ

The Ivory Tower of Primitives
“A complete self paced tutorial of the SL building system.”

More Help Getting Started F1
• SL Support Portal
– http://secondlife.com/support
• Knowledge Base
• Second Life Support Videos
• SL Blogs and Wikis and Forums
– https://blogs.secondlife.com/
– http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/
– http://forums.secondlife.com/
• New Media Consortium Training Videos
http://sl.nmc.org/wiki/Intro_videos
• Videos – You Tube – SL Tutorials
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=second+life+tutori
al&aq=f
• SL’s Guide to Getting Started
– http://static-secondlife-
com.s3.amazonaws.com/downloads/Second_Life_Quickstart.pdf

Books
– Second Life: The Official Guide.
Michael Rymaszewski
– Second Life for Dummies.
Sarah Robbins and Mark Bell
– How to Do Everything with Second Life.
Richard Mansfield
– Designing Your Second Life.
Rebecca Tapley

How to Get Started as a
Librarian in SL
Professional Development
Opportunities

Virtual Education Series
• Graduate School of Library and Information Science – University
of Illinois – Urbana Champaign and the Alliance Library System
http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/VW/
SPRING 2009 Courses
Second Life 101 and 102
Virtual World Librarianship
Working with a Class in Second Life
Setting Up an Educational Presence in Second Life
Setting up Your Library or Museum in SL
Instructional Tools for Second Life

Professional Development

Washington University
Professional Development

Attend Conferences

Workshop on Creating Books in SL

Attend Library Events
To Find Events: Join Groups Search SL – IM Group Owner to Join
-Librarians of Second Life / Alliance Volunteers /
Info Groupies / Second Life for Educators

Find Library Events
• Check the Bulletin Boards
• Check Listservs, Blogs
AVL Blog Calendar (infoisland.org)

And
Read SL newsletters and SL
magazines :
Rez-Libris

RezLibris: A Magazine for Librarians
Available monthly at http://rezlibris.com

rezlibris Events

Rezlibris mvplayer winner

Social Networking Site:
Second Life Librarians
http://sllibrarians.ning.com/

Volunteer Opportunities
How to Volunteer – Tour Guide
– Guide Coordinator
• IM AVL Library Volunteer
– Reference
Coordinator:
Marimar Berchot – Cataloging
(SL Name) – Collections
– Events and Exhibits
– Open to Ideas

Resources

Book and Website
http://www.virtualworldsreallibraries.info/

Rezlibris is a great venue to read and publish
Virtual Librarianship

Library Technology Reports
May 2009

Educause Resources
http://www.educause.edu/resources

Three Educause Reports
• A.J. Kelton. Director, Emerging Instrucctional
Technologies, College of Humanities and Social
Sciences at Montclair State University:
– 7 Things You Should Know About Second Life
– Virtual Worlds, Outlook Good
– Second Life: Reaching into the Virtual Worlds for Real-
World Learning (Excellent Tour of Sites)

From the Virtual Worlds 2009
Conference: Libraries, Education and
Museums
http://facstaff.elon.edu/mconklin/pubs/glshandout.pdf

Questions and answers in a virtual world:
Educators and Librarians as Information
Providers in Second Life.
By Lorri Mon, Florida State University
http://journals.tdl.org/jvwr/article/view/398/452

NEW ONLINE JOURNAL Launched March 2009
Devoted entirely to Education in Virtual Reality
http://jvweducation.org/

Three Articles
Luo, L. (2008, August). Reference service in
Second Life: an overview. Reference Services
Review, 36(3), 289-300.
Ford, C., Gerardin, J., Yamamoto, M., & Gordon,
K. (2008, Summer 2008). Fresh Perspectives
on Reference Work in Second Life. Reference
& User Services Quarterly, 47(4), 324-330
van der Ven, C. (2008, March). Second Life: A
Tool for Reference and International
Understanding. Reference Librarian, 49(2),
149-161.

Libraries and SL Library Guide
http://libraryguides.cnr.edu/
Email: sacampora@cnr.edu

Or Use the Search and IM Feature in SL
to Contact Our Team
• Jennifer Ransom
SL Name =
JennLibrarienn
Lennie

• Kathy Mannino
SL Name =
LibKatt Follett

• Ana Fontoura
SL Name =
Mariana Nansen

Susan Acampora
SL Name = GallateaSu Beaumont and
and Oliver SL Name = Doobie!

This presentation is dedicated to all the
wonderful, innovative SL librarians and
educators who helped me get started!
• Including the CNR Team
• Neptune Umbarundu
• Puglet Dancer
• JJ Drinkwater
• Rocky Valejo
• Lorillei Junot
• Abbey Zenieth
• Cleopatra Guyot
• River Bremer
• Sarahlin Constantine