Notes
Slide Show
Outline
1
     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
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The Launch Graphic in SL
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Lori Bell
  • Director of Innovation
    Alliance Library System
    East Peoria, Illinois
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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!
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Info Island
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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
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Parvenu Tower on Info Island
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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
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Ref Desk at Info Island Landing
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An Indoor Historical Exhibit
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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
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Branch Library in Caledon
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It’s All About Partnerships
  • Between two or more libraries
  • Tech Soup
  • ICT Library
  • World Bridges
  • New Media Consortium
  • Institutions of Higher Education
  • Museums
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Michael Sauers
  • Internet Trainer
    BCR
    Aurora, Colorado
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“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

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“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

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Reality Check #1
  • If you don’t have the “recommended” hardware it’s going to be a frustrating experience.
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Reality Check #2
  • If you can’t follow several conversations and are easily annoyed by tyops…
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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
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Reality Check #4
  • The more people at an event/in a location the greater the lag will be.
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InfoIsland Grand Opening
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Reality Check #5
  • Your boss and co-workers will probably not view this as “work” so you’ll be contributing personal time.
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Reality Check #6
  • The more fun you’re having, the more time you’ll want to spend on the grid.
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InfoIsland Grand Opening
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Reality Check #7
  • People are generally polite but they’ll still fall on your head.
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Reality Check #8
  • Don’t plan on keeping track of acquaintances based on their appearance as many change their avatars regularly.
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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.
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Reality Check #10
  • System problems
    • Grey Goo
    • Purchased items disappearing


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Reality Check #11
  • Sometimes it just doesn’t work.
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Tom Peters
  • Founder and CEO
    TAP Information Services
    Blue Springs, Missouri
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What We Are Learning
  • Islands, Buildings and Grounds
  • Staffing
  • Governance & Management
  • Collections
  • Catalogs
  • Reference Services
  • Exhibits
  • Events
  • Privacy, Safety, Security
  • Professional Development
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Espresso Bar in Main Library
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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?
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Outdoor Discussion on NMC Campus
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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
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Talis Sci Fi & Fantasy Building
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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).
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Librarian Avatars Cut the Rug!
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Questions and Discussion
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Info Island as Gathering Place
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Eiseldora’s Bookmaking Workshop
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Presentation Training
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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