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 Internet Connection*: Cable or DSL Operating System: Mac OS X 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 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 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.

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 Web: Phone: x2128 Michael Sauers Internet Trainer, BCR Web: Phone: x110 Tom Peters CEO, TAP Information Services Web: Phone: