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With the current budget crunch keeping most of us on the Support Staff level stuck at home, or too strapped to keep up our organizational memberships, we need to look for alternative ways of collaborating and maintaining our professional relationships. We have already implemented many of the new Web 2.0 technologies to connect and these have been great facilitators of professional dialogue....but getting together at conferences simply for the purpose of scheduled brainstorming and forming professional friendships is invaluable but sorely limited. Perhaps one of the ways we might consider connecting on a regular basis is through the virtual world of Second Life. At this point, all I want to do is explain a little bit about this free method of collaboration and give examples of how it is being used across the educational field for those of you not familiar with its uses. I will also be giving you more links to information on how to get started. Regardless of whether we get together via this method, the technology is advancing and being utilized by more professional groups as it becomes more familiar and accepted. It is always beneficial for library staff to be informed on the latest technologies our patrons might be using for educational purposes. Besides, this is a free software that can be explored at your leisure.
What is Second Life?
What is Second Life?
This can best be answered through some outside links which I will list below, but in short, it is a virtual world that is created and navigated by the users through the use of an avatar - a virtual representation of the user. The amazing part about avatar representation in SL is the
fact that you can represent yourself in whatever form you wish to inhabit. As mentioned above, the software is free, and you can get started experimenting in this new world at anytime, as long as your current PC is fairly up to date (specifications for PC requirements can be located at the official Second Life website listed as the first link below)
fact that you can represent yourself in whatever form you wish to inhabit. As mentioned above, the software is free, and you can get started experimenting in this new world at anytime, as long as your current PC is fairly up to date (specifications for PC requirements can be located at the official Second Life website listed as the first link below)Official Second Life Website: http://secondlife.com/whatis/
Video overview of Second Life uses: http://silverandgoldie.com/linden_congress.htm
Quick Start Guide for new users: http://static-secondlife-com.s3.amazonaws.com/downloads/Second_Life_Quickstart.pdf
How are Libraries using Second Life?
Libraries of all types are numerous across the SL grid. Some of the many activities conducted by virtual l
ibraries include: reference stations, exhibits, organizational meetings, 3D instructional sites, informational virtual representations of their real life libraries, conference session extensions, current issues focus groups, genealogical research assistance, immersive education, among other activities. Here are some examples of library uses across the grid.
ibraries include: reference stations, exhibits, organizational meetings, 3D instructional sites, informational virtual representations of their real life libraries, conference session extensions, current issues focus groups, genealogical research assistance, immersive education, among other activities. Here are some examples of library uses across the grid. RezLibris Magazine (For Librarians in SL): http://www.rezlibris.com/
University of Kentucky Island Blog (Including the activities of the Virtual W.T. Young Library): http://ukisland.wordpress.com/
Info Island: http://infoisland.org/
Second Life Librarians Ning Group: http://sllibrarians.ning.com/
What now?
So I'll give you some time to explore a bit and think about creating an avatar. However, as the summer draws to a close, I will be bringing up the issue again and asking for interested parties to contact me directly if they have any interest in meeting in-world to begin a series of regular meetings for the Round Table in this new medium. The KLA fall conference in Louisville will include a session about Second Life educational uses in Kentucky on Wednesday September 30th. This will be a panel discussion on what the various Kentucky groups have done within Second Life and what plans we have for future uses. If you're al
ready involved in the conference, this would also be a great place to get an overview of statewide efforts.
ready involved in the conference, this would also be a great place to get an overview of statewide efforts. I will leave you with a few personal links about my current involvement and my very first venture into this new virtual universe. Feel free to contact me in-world if you take the plunge and would like a local mentor to help you get acclimated.....just look me up in the search function - Sifriya Devin. I look forward to seeing you there!
Sif (aka Cheri)
My first day in SL: http://librarywisdom.blogspot.com/2008/03/avatar-adventures-in-second-life.html
My SL Blog: http://sim-patico.blogspot.com/
Trademark Notice:
Second Life® and Linden Lab® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Linden Research, Inc. All rights reserved. No infringement is intended.
Second Life® and Linden Lab® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Linden Research, Inc. All rights reserved. No infringement is intended.
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