1. Leabharlann UCD An Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath, Belfield, Baile Átha Cliath 4, Eire UCD Library University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland Second Life – The next dimension for Libraries? Cathal McCauley, Reader Services 23.2.2007

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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?

10. 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!