Libraries and universities are discovering ways that social networking and virtual environments can extend the reach of librarianship. Second Life and Twitter are two virtual tools that can help libraries build global and local networks. They enable information seekers to discover, disseminate, and contribute information in interesting and novel ways. Second Life is a virtual world in which librarians can interact with a global audience while transcending physical boundaries. Several institutions have established virtual libraries in Second Life; for example, we worked with the University of Iowa School of Library and Information Science to build a virtual Second Life library where writers from our International Writing Program could share their work via live virtual readings. Twitter is a microblogging tool that librarians can use to strengthen their professional networks and discover valuable local information in real-time. We recently implemented Twitter in the classroom to demonstrate how a group of people can use Twitter to share and discuss information about an event as it is unfolding. Our presentation addresses the main features and concepts of both Second Life and Twitter. For Second Life, participants will learn how to create an avatar and learn about the virtual library community within Second Life. For Twitter, participants will learn how to make professional contacts, tweet effectively, and use specific search strategies to find relevant local information. Whether your library is trying to reach a global or a local audience, Second Life and Twitter offer innovative possibilities for reaching your patrons and marketing your library.

1. Second Life and Twitterfor Librarians Virtual Tools for BuildingLocal and Global Networks Angela Murillo University of Iowa Graduate Assistant Rachel Hall University of Iowa Graduate Assistant

2. Web 2.0 tools help libraries build global and local networks Twitter: a microblogging tool that strengthens professional networks and helps librarians discover local information in real-time Second Life: a virtual world where librarians can interact with a global audience and transcend physical boundaries Second Life and Twitter offer innovative possibilities for collaborating with colleagues, reaching your patrons and marketing your library Library 2.0

3. Twitter

4. Twitter can seem useless. Its utility depends on building a strong network.

5. But while you work on building your network, you can still squeeze lots of utility out of Twitter.

6. Yes, Twitter is for Librarians. Professional Networking Query Your Network Local Reference Real-time, Local Information

7. Start Building Your Network… Colleagues Friends Family News Agencies Bloggers Politicians …Twitter is more interesting when you follow interesting people Follow

8. Add value to the network w/140 characters. Share Links (bit.ly) Publicize events Ask questions Tell jokes @, RT, d Tweet

9. It's the heart of Twitter. Twitter is made up of vast streams of data and noise. Librarians have special skills to massage useful information out of these streams. Boolean Searches Hashtags & the Backchannel Saved Searches Trending Topics Search

10. Critiques

11. "Individually, most Twitter messages are stupefyingly trivial. But the true value of Twitter is cumulative. The power is in the surprising effects that come from receiving thousands of pings from your posse... "The real appeal of Twitter is almost the inverse of narcissism. It's practically collectivist — you're creating a shared understanding larger than yourself.” -Clive Thompson on “The Social Sixth Sense,” Wired Magazine

12. “Twitter will only be as useful as the people on the end of it.” -LC Rich, BBC News “Twitter is precisely what you want it to be.” -David Pogue, New York Times

13. Second Life

14. What is Second Life? A 3-D virtual world Users create avatars to interact Free Used by educators, universities, libraries, artists, musicians… Over 16 million registered accounts Global Innovative collaboration

15. How could we use Second Life? All major universities have a presence in Second Life Librarians could collaborate with their universities Bridges a gap for our patrons (academic, public, special, any other) Space and distance no longer matter

16. Example: International Writing Program International Writing Program writers readfrom their work and had Q&A with the audience

17. Example: ALA Island Events http://tiny.cc/Wdrno

18. Example: Community Virtual Island Reference Desk Located on Info Island International Staffed about 80 hours a week by library volunteers Reference staff assist with Second Life & real life questions

19. What does Second Life providefor Librarians? Professional Networking Helps Us Help Patrons Educational Resource Professional Development Courses Global Reach Collaborative and Innovative Tool

20. Questions? Thank you!