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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.
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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
Lori Bell • Director of InnovationAlliance Library SystemEast 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!
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
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
Timeline • April 2006: First Alliance Second Life Library built • May 2006: Info Island donated • August 2006: 2nd island donated • September 2006: QuestionPoint trial and overall SLL reference service began • October 2006: Grand Opening; HealthInfo Island; Cybrary City
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 TrainerBCRAurora, 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 • Internet Connection*: Cable or DSL • Operating System: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or better • Computer Processor: 1 GHz G4 or better • Computer Memory: 512MB or better • Video/Graphics Card**: • nVidia GeForce 2, GeForce 4mx, or better • OR ATI Radeon 8500, 9250, or better
“Recommended” Requirements PC • Internet Connection*: Cable or DSL • Computer Processor: 1.6GHz Pentium 4 or Athlon 2000+ or better • Computer Memory: 512MB or better • Video/Graphics Card**: • nVidia GeForce FX 5600, GeForce 6600, or better • OR ATI Radeon 9600, X600, or better Mac • Internet Connection*: Cable or DSL • Computer Processor: 1.6GHz Pentium 4 or Athlon 2000+ or better • Computer Memory: 512MB or better • Video/Graphics Card**: • 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.
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.
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 CEOTAP Information ServicesBlue Springs, Missouri
What We Are Learning • Islands, Buildings and Grounds • Staffing • Governance & Management • Collections • Catalogs • Reference Services • Exhibits • Events • Privacy, Safety, Security • Professional Development
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?
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
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).
Contact Us • Lori Bell Director of Innovation, Alliance Library System Email: lbell@alliancelibrarysystem.com Web: www.alliancelibrarysystem.com Phone: 309.694.9200 x2128 • Michael Sauers Internet Trainer, BCR Email: msauers@bcr.org Web: www.bcr.org Phone: 303.751.6277 x110 • Tom Peters CEO, TAP Information Services Email: tpeters@tapinformation.com Web: www.tapinformation.com Phone: 816.228.6406