Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Internet Librarian Preconference Workshop Saturday, October 27, 2007 in Monterey, California Conducted by: Barbara Galick (Puglet Dancer in SL), Bradley University Jill Hurst-Wahl (Jillianna Suisei in SL), Hurst Associates, Ltd. Tom Peters (Maxito Ricardo in SL), TAP Information Services Kitty Pope (Kitty Phillip in SL), Alliance Library System

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Introductions Barbara Galik – Executive Director, Cullom-Davis Library, Bradley University – Puglet Dancer in Second Life Jill Hurst-Wahl – CEO, Hurst Associates – Jillianna Suisei in Second Life Tom Peters – CEO, TAP Information Services – Maxito Ricardo in Second Life Kitty Pope – Executive Director, Alliance Library System – Kitty Phillip in Second Life

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Map of the Alliance Information Archipelago

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life What is a MUVE? Multi user virtual environment (MUVE) Virtual world (simulation) with avatars Real  Virtual

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life History Text-based  graphical MMORPG – Massive multiplayer online role playing game (e.g., World of Warcraft)World of Warcraft 2003  Second Life open to the publicSecond Life Oct  10+ million registered avatars – 30K-40K online at any time

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Comparison Charts TechCrunch – 18 virtual worlds e.g., Webkinz, Neopets – For children to mature adults Virtual Worlds Review (outdated)Virtual Worlds Review – 28 virtual worlds e.g., The Sims Online, Virtual Magic Kingdom

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life What are Libraries Doing in MUVEs? Learning about this “new” interface Experimenting / prototyping Supporting other MUVE-related efforts Supporting MUVE communities Providing a “common” space for residents Rethinking space & services

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life

What is the Role of Librarians? Info mediators & guides Teachers of information literacy Trusted advisors Potential partners / collaborators – We know how to “build bridges”

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Risks Perceived as: – Investing in a fad – Servicing people who are not your users – Wasting money & time – Just a game

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Risks ⇨ Reality Universities & businesses are MUVEing A MUVE as our next Internet browser? Need to build an informed opinion Need to understand what services can be like in a MUVE Need to be ready to serve our users where they want to be served Better to learn now, than play catch-up

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Critical Skills & Qualities Basic technology skills for the MUVE – Communication, navigation, building, etc. Learn & teach simultaneously Respect, forgiveness, patience Creative thinking

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Organizational and professional commitment Funding A specific set of skills Virtual librarianship in MUVEs requires:

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Volunteerism booms Librarians from all over the world Most donate their time and participate independently of their institution History: Phase I Summer 2006

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Talis donates an island for libraries  Cybrary City Libraries begin to develop their own presences and donate 2 hours per week in return for space History: Phase II Fall 2006

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Libraries want bigger spaces in Cybrary City and are willing to pay Development of global collaboration at an institutional level History: Phase III Winter 2006

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life InfoIsland archipelago becomes truly international – Multi-lingual reference services – Interactive programs History: Phase III Winter 2006

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Libraries purchase their own islands – Bradley University – Cleveland Public Library – Stanford University libraries – Approximate cost: $2,000 per year History: Phase III Summer 2007

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Administrative buy-in is #1 – Be prepared to defend your presence in virtual worlds Build a project team – Integrate the team into the whole organization Funds to support a pilot program Institutional Commitment

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Hardware – A high-end computer with advanced graphics, memory, and bandwidth Island purchase and setup – Approx. $900 setup and $150/month thereafter Building construction – Anywhere from $50-$500 Funds needed for …

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Staffing Public relations – In Second Life and in the real world/”first life” Content development – Displays – i.e. WWII posters – Exhibits – i.e. Marie Antoinette – Events – i.e. author readings and book discussions Funds needed for …

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Training – Second Life presents a steep learning curve that takes time and patience to conquer Funds needed for …

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Multi-tasker Strategic communicator Comfortable with constant change Inquisitive Excellent teaching skills Necessary Skills

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Comfortable working from home and/or in a non- traditional setting within a flexible schedule Ability to work independently and on a team Sense of humor Necessary Skills

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Organizational and professional commitment Funding A specific set of skills Summary

People are the content of websites. To survive, libraries must share in this adventure.

Libraries must take an active role in developing the virtual world.

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Assessment: Librar-Things in VW’s Librarians (as free-lance and/or pro-bono individual professionals) Libraries Parent organizations of libraries Library Consortia Library-Related Organizations (e.g., associations, regional systems) Library Schools Library Vendors

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Assessment: What to Evaluate? A collection of information objects or experiences (e.g., a collection or exhibit) The built environment (terraforming, landscaping, buildings, furniture) Library services (reference, lectures) A particular library service provider A particular library service event

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Assessment: What to Study? Usage Usability Usefulness Outputs Outcomes Avatar-patron attitudes Growth and viability

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Assessment: Data Sources Session transcripts Surveys and questionnaires Counters on objects and land parcels External surveys, such as a real-world campus survey or Survey Monkey Proximity Sensors and other free/low- cost data collection devices Full-blown in-world third-part assessment services

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Assessment: Demographic Info Librarians and non-librarians Age, sex, national origin, ethnicity, educational level, etc. Primary language How long the person has been in SL Other virtual worlds the person frequents Where they usually hang out in VW’s

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Assessment: Use of the Virtual Library in Context How did the avatar-patron learn about the library? Where the avatar-patron before s/he came to the library? Where did s/he go after leaving the library? What did they do with the info and info services they used in the library? What sort of take-aways do they want/need?

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Opportunities Moving Forward Continued rapid growth & development Relatively easy and inexpensive to develop and test prototype services Diverse international community Trust, Authority, Comradeship, etc. What is the best way to create and organize information experiences in SL? Events and exhibits morph into immersive information seeking/use environments

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life The Future VW libraries for children: Whyville. Second Life? Keeping a pulse on virtual world development. – Is there life after Second Life? Google Earth Integrating web resources into Second Life Moving from world to world interchangeably Moving created objects out of Second Life to web Second Life + Google? “Born virtual” library-related organizations

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Future Directions: Holo Emitters The “Museum” Problem: Major investment in exhibits, but exhibit space is limited, with little opportunity to time-shift Create a scene in a virtual world on demand! Exhibits, collections, immersive learning environments, meeting spaces Free, open-source Second Life tool open-source-holo-emitter-for-sl.htmlhttp:// open-source-holo-emitter-for-sl.html

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Potential Long-Term Impact of Second Life and Virtual Worlds in General On Information Literacy and the Use of Libraries – Immersive Information/Learning Experiences On Literacy in general – Gaming and Literacy On Online Communities

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life A Prediction In most online and virtual communities of the future, the residents will add more value to their information system (library) than will the librarians.

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life A Lemma In online and virtual information environments, the best way a library can serve a community is by helping the community to serve itself.

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life What Should Libraries Do? Become involved in online and virtual communities now, during the formative stages. Think about, discuss, explore, and test how libraries and librarians can help online and virtual communities to help themselves.

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Contact Information Barbara A. Galik Executive Director Cullom-Davis Library Bradley University 1501 W. Bradley Ave. Peoria, IL Phone: Fax:

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Contact Information Jill Hurst-Wahl Hurst Associates, Ltd., Digitization 101blog: Tel: (315) AOL IM: jillNYS Skype: jill.hurst.wahl

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Contact Information Tom Peters TAP Information Services 1000 SW 23rd Street Blue Springs, MO Skype:

Kitty Pope Executive Director Alliance Library System (800) x