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 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!

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: 2nd 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 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” RequirementsPC• 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.

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 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

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 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