The Alliance Second Life Library 2.0: Going Where the Users Are

Alliance Second Life Library 2.0: Going Where the Users Are Lori Bell, Michael Sauers, and Tom Peters Session C105 Internet Librarian Conference Monday, October 23, 2006, Monterey, California

The Launch Graphic in SL

Lori Bell
Director of Innovation Alliance Library System East Peoria, Illinois

What is Second Life (SL)?
A 3-dimensional virtual reality world
Populated by nearly 1 million avatars
A complete community: society, culture, economy, buildings, goods, services…
Operated by Linden Labs
Not a game!

Info Island

Why Are Librarians Involved in SL?
Many SL avatars are pursuing info-related activities
Increasingly used by higher ed. for more interactive distance learning
It’s a creative and artistic outlet
Satisfies the desire to build and design a library organization from scratch

Parvenu Tower on Info Island

What Are Librarians Doing?
Designing, building, and decorating buildings and external landscapes
Designing and implementing communication methods (chat, IM, VoIP, data portals, etc.)
Reference services
Collections and Interactive Displays
Events: tours, training, lectures, etc.
Trials of Databases and Services

Ref Desk at Info Island Landing

An Indoor Historical Exhibit

Timeline
April 2006: First Alliance Second Life Library built
May 2006: Info Island donated
August 2006: 2 nd island donated
September 2006: QuestionPoint trial and overall SLL reference service began
October 2006: Grand Opening; HealthInfo Island; Cybrary City

Branch Library in Caledon

It’s All About Partnerships
Between two or more libraries
Tech Soup
ICT Library
World Bridges
New Media Consortium
Institutions of Higher Education
Museums

Michael Sauers
Internet Trainer BCR Aurora, Colorado

“Minimal” Requirements
PC
Internet Connection*: Cable or DSL
Operating System: Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
OR Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4)
Computer Processor: 800MHz Pentium III or Athlon, or better
Computer Memory: 256MB or better
Video/Graphics Card**:
nVidia GeForce 2, GeForce 4mx, or better
OR ATI Radeon 8500, 9250, or better
Mac
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or better
Computer Processor: 1 GHz G4 or better
nVidia GeForce 2, GeForce 4mx, or better
OR ATI Radeon 8500, 9250, or better

“ Recommended” Requirements
PC
Computer Processor: 1.6GHz Pentium 4 or Athlon 2000+ or better
nVidia GeForce FX 5600, GeForce 6600, or better
OR ATI Radeon 9600, X600, or better
Mac
Computer Processor: 1.6GHz Pentium 4 or Athlon 2000+ or better
nVidia GeForce FX 5600, GeForce 6600, or better
OR ATI Radeon 9600, X600, or better

Reality Check #1
If you don’t have the “recommended” hardware it’s going to be a frustrating experience.

Reality Check #2
If you can’t follow several conversations and are easily annoyed by tyops…

Reality Check #3
You don’t have to spend real money, but it helps.
You can get a stipend even with a free account, but it’s not much.
Textures uploaded for L$10 each
Clothing, presentations, building
Current exchange rate aprox. $1 = L$190

Reality Check #4
The more people at an event/in a location the greater the lag will be.

InfoIsland Grand Opening

Reality Check #5
Your boss and co-workers will probably not view this as “work” so you’ll be contributing personal time.

Reality Check #6
The more fun you’re having, the more time you’ll want to spend on the grid.

InfoIsland Grand Opening

Reality Check #7
People are generally polite but they’ll still fall on your head.

Reality Check #8
Don’t plan on keeping track of acquaintances based on their appearance as many change their avatars regularly.

Reality Check #9
Updates, updates, updates.
Trying to log in for an event at the last minute only to find out you need to download a new version first.

Reality Check #10
System problems
Grey Goo
Purchased items disappearing

Reality Check #11
Sometimes it just doesn’t work.

Tom Peters
Founder and CEO TAP Information Services Blue Springs, Missouri

What We Are Learning
Islands, Buildings and Grounds
Staffing
Governance & Management
Collections
Catalogs
Reference Services
Exhibits
Events
Privacy, Safety, Security
Professional Development

Espresso Bar in Main Library

Addressing Fundamental Questions
What types of library services do SL avatars want, need, and expect?
What types of library buildings and locations are needed?
Are collections needed? What types of information objects?
How to create links between in-world activity and real-world information resources?

Outdoor Discussion on NMC Campus

Challenges
Volunteer Labor (self-inflicted burnout)
External Funding
Expertise Mining
Disaster Preparedness
Implementing Library 2.0 concepts
Rapidly evolving environment and human understanding of that environment

Talis Sci Fi & Fantasy Building

Predictions, Bloody Predictions
Library services to avatars will thrive.
Architecture will evolve away from real-world architecture.
Libraries will include elements from museums, theme parks, etc.
Exhibits and events will be more useful than traditional collections.
Immersive, experiential learning experiences (e.g., walk-in books & 3D interactive mash-ups).

Librarian Avatars Cut the Rug!

Questions and Discussion

Info Island as Gathering Place

Eiseldora’s Bookmaking Workshop

Presentation Training

Contact Us
Lori Bell
Director of Innovation, Alliance Library System
Email: [email_address]
Web: www.alliancelibrarysystem.com
Phone: 309.694.9200 x2128
Michael Sauers
Internet Trainer, BCR
Web: www.bcr.org
Phone: 303.751.6277 x110
Tom Peters
CEO, TAP Information Services
Web: www.tapinformation.com
Phone: 816.228.6406

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The Alliance Second Life Library 2.0: Going Where the Users Are

by Michael Sauers

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