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Second Life – The next dimension for Libraries? Cathal McCauley, Reader Services 23.2.2007

Second Life – The next dimension for Libraries? Cathal McCauley, Reader Services 23.2.2007. What is Second Life? (SL) - 1.

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Second Life – The next dimension for Libraries? Cathal McCauley, Reader Services 23.2.2007

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  1. Second Life – The next dimension for Libraries?Cathal McCauley, Reader Services23.2.2007

  2. What is Second Life? (SL) - 1 Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by a total of 3,865,315 people from around the globe.

  3. What is Second Life? (SL) - 2 • Own currency (c270 Linden dollars = US$1) • Communication (currently IM but soon voice) • ‘Civil’ partnerships (and divorce) • Not all fun…..much more than a game

  4. Second Life and the ‘traditional WWW’ • Content similar in many ways i.e. sex, gambling and rock-n-roll very popular • Issues similar in many ways (especially to early web ) i.e. US dominated, uncertainty, rapid change, copy right concerns, moral issues and viruses. • Some new issues too - Second Life Liberation Army, Riots… • Most importantly – reminiscent of web mid-1990s.

  5. Has SL’s time arrived? “I am getting the same feeling about SL that I got about the web in 1994” Stephen Abram (VP of Innovation, Sirsi Dynix) “We think there is a phenomenon occurring . . . something huge here. We'll see the rise of the new Googles, the new Amazons” Collin Perris (Head of Digital Convergence, IBM) “We are planning to establish a Swedish embassy in Second Life primarily as an information portal for Sweden," Olle Waestberg (Director Swedish Institute)

  6. Education in Second Life • Many US universities in SL (including Berkley, Harvard & Stanford) • Universities from other countries too: UK, Australia, Denmark, France, The Netherlands etc. • Delivering real classes to students, skills practice, seminars, conferences. • Key drivers: distance learning, media, technology, and design classes and…. Libraries.

  7. Libraries in Second Life • Infoislands I and II (Genealogy Research Centre, Library Gallery, Mystery Manor, Performance Centre, Science Centre and SF/Fantasy Centre) • Health Info Island • The Caledon Branch Library • Cybrary City Island • Eye4You Alliance (Teen Second Life)

  8. Ireland in Second Life • About 40 locations relating to Dublin/Ireland in SL • Dublin in second life • PR, design, music dominated • Growing evidence of educational use • RTE preparing for SL?

  9. UCD Library in Second Life • Cutting edge = risk • Opportunity to lead, following is easy! • Risk is small versus potential reward • Need to agree who, what, when and …… money • FUN!

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