Chicago Public Schools Department of Libraries in Second Life

What Is Second Life? Second Life (SL) is a multi- user virtual environment in which persons create avatars to allow them to move and interact with other avatars. They can build and manipulate objects. To move, they can walk, run, fly, or teleport. There are many areas within SL to allow people to meet, learn, talk, and roleplay.Second Life (SL) is a multi- user virtual environment in which persons create avatars to allow them to move and interact with other avatars. They can build and manipulate objects. To move, they can walk, run, fly, or teleport. There are many areas within SL to allow people to meet, learn, talk, and roleplay. David Loertscher leads a learning community discussion about the school library as a learning commons

Second Life’s main grid is for persons 18 years or older. It is not intended for use with students. Educators use SL to participate in virtual college courses, to attend professional development and meetings, to interact with colleagues, and to identify real-world resources. Corporations use SL for virtual meetings and employee training. SL has in-world special interest groups, professional organizations, support groups, concerts, museums, libraries, and entertainment establishments.Second Life’s main grid is for persons 18 years or older. It is not intended for use with students. Educators use SL to participate in virtual college courses, to attend professional development and meetings, to interact with colleagues, and to identify real-world resources. Corporations use SL for virtual meetings and employee training. SL has in-world special interest groups, professional organizations, support groups, concerts, museums, libraries, and entertainment establishments.

Who has time for a second life? Most educators can gain significant benefits from SL by just learning some navigation basics and by joining some key groups.

SL blends with other web 2.0 technologies Blogs, wikis, Twitter, Flickr, You Tube, Facebook….all are in SL.Blogs, wikis, Twitter, Flickr, You Tube, Facebook….all are in SL.

CPS Dept of Libraries in SL Provide a forum for collaborationProvide a forum for collaboration Extend our professional learning communitiesExtend our professional learning communities Provide access for librarians & teachers to additional educational resourcesProvide access for librarians & teachers to additional educational resources Provide a virtual learning environment for meetings and eventsProvide a virtual learning environment for meetings and events –$25,000 grant from Illinois State Library

Reference Desk

Chicago Museums Display

General Educator Info

Collaboration Station

CPS Databases, Links, & More

School Offices

Whitney Young HS Office

Univ of Chicago CUIP

Chicago State University

Lakefront Auditorium

Singing Sculpture

National – Louis University

Audio Book Garden

CILC Office

Golden Apple Foundation

Sepia’s Blues Lounge

Canoe the Chicago River

CPS Second Life Blog

Info Island Sim Second Life Library – Alliance Library System

Library Events in SL Author visitsAuthor visits Book discussionsBook discussions Special programsSpecial programs Planning meetingsPlanning meetings Training workshopsTraining workshops Special exhibitsSpecial exhibits Grand openingsGrand openings PartiesParties Special committeesSpecial committees ALA VCL-MIG Planning Meeting

ISTE in SL ISTE Headquarters – ISTE has four sims in SLISTE Headquarters – ISTE has four sims in SL

Sample of Other Libraries in SL South Carolina State LibrarySouth Carolina State Library Georgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology IBM LibraryIBM Library Nebraska Library CommissionNebraska Library Commission University of South FloridaUniversity of South Florida Johnson & Wales UniversityJohnson & Wales University Canada NexusCanada Nexus UCLAUCLA Australian LibrariesAustralian Libraries University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign State Library of KansasState Library of Kansas Michigan Library ConsortiumMichigan Library Consortium Find It Illinois!Find It Illinois! Art LibrariesArt Libraries

Author Visits Jack Gantos on the Teen Grid Chris Crutcher, during Banned Book Week, on the main grid.

Future of Second Life & MUVEs for Libraries Reference services evolveReference services evolve Archival of Second LifeArchival of Second Life Integrated OPACIntegrated OPAC In-world web searchesIn-world web searches Incorporate audioIncorporate audio More in-world training, events, and displaysMore in-world training, events, and displays Multiple virtual universes with transport between them and accessed via search enginesMultiple virtual universes with transport between them and accessed via search engines

AASL & SIGMS Learning Community A virtual learning community of school librarians who meet monthly to discuss professional issues and topics.A virtual learning community of school librarians who meet monthly to discuss professional issues and topics.

Our tweens & teens come to socialize and game

Everyone creates content…Virtual worlds are the future of the Internet, they are where are students are, and where we need to be. Let’s start with PD.

Learning Community Format Monthly drop-in orientation meetings to learn basics of SL Monthly learning community meetings featuring guest facilitators who are recognized leaders in school librarianship –One hour, 15 – 20 min lecture followed by group discussion –Occasional book raffles Marla McGee and Barb Jansen speak about “Forging Powerful Partnerships for Student Success”

Joyce Valenza – Web 2.0 for Librarians

David Loertscher – “The New Learning Commons – Where People Win”

David Warlick – “Cultivating a Personal Learning Network”

Mike Eisenburg – “The Crisis Facing School Libraries and Librarians”

Will Richardson – “Googled Well: Helping Our Kids Lead Transparent Lives”

Marla McGhee & Barbara Jansen – “Keeping School Libraries Relevant in the Age of Accountability”

Monthly Orientation to SL – Next meeting on Wed, Sept 2 at 8pm ET/5pm PT Monthly Learning Community Meetings in SL – Next meeting on Sept, 9 at 8pm ET/5pm PT – Guest facilitator, Doug Johnson – “Are You an Information Bigot?” Oct: Alan November Nov: Pam Berger

Four strands of PD – Webconferencing, Second Life, videoconferencing, online article discussions Special interest groups in National Teacher Board Certification & International Librarianship Encourage your district’s librarians to get involved & become a Power Connector What’s Next for SIGMS

Thanks for listening!