Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Internet Librarian Preconference Workshop Saturday, October 27, 2007 in Monterey, California Conducted by: Barbara

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


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


Map of the Alliance Information Archipelago


What is a MUVE?

• Multi user virtual environment (MUVE)

• Virtual world (simulation) with avatars

• Real Virtual


History

• Text-based graphical• MMORPG – Massive multiplayer online

role playing game (e.g., World of Warcraft)

• 2003 Second Life open to the public• Oct. 2007 10+ million registered

avatars– 30K-40K online at any time

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/

http://secondlife.com/


Comparison Charts

• TechCrunch– 18 virtual worlds

•e.g., Webkinz, Neopets – For children to mature adults

• Virtual Worlds Review (outdated)– 28 virtual worlds

•e.g., The Sims Online, Virtual Magic Kingdom

http://www.techcrunch.com/wp-content/casual_immersive_worlds.html

http://www.virtualworldsreview.com/


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



What is the Role of Librarians?

• Info mediators & guides• Teachers of information literacy• Trusted advisors• Potential partners / collaborators–We know how to “build bridges”


Risks

• Perceived as:– Investing in a fad–Servicing people who are not your users–Wasting money & time– Just a game


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


Critical Skills & Qualities

• Basic technology skills for the MUVE–Communication, navigation,

building, etc.• Learn & teach simultaneously• Respect, forgiveness, patience• Creative thinking


• Organizational and professional commitment

• Funding

• A specific set of skills

Virtual librarianship in MUVEs requires:


• Volunteerism booms

• Librarians from all over the world

• Most donate their time and participate independently of their institution

History: Phase ISummer 2006


• 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 IIFall 2006


• Libraries want bigger spaces in Cybrary City and are willing to pay

• Development of global collaboration at an institutional level

History: Phase IIIWinter 2006


• InfoIsland archipelago becomes truly international –Multi-lingual reference

services– Interactive programs

History: Phase IIIWinter 2006


• Libraries purchase their own islands–Bradley University–Cleveland Public Library– Stanford University libraries–Approximate cost: $2,000 per year

History: Phase IIISummer 2007


• 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


• 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…


• 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…


• Training– Second Life presents a

steep learning curve that takes time and patience to conquer

Funds needed for…


• Multi-tasker

• Strategic communicator

• Comfortable with constant change

• Inquisitive

• Excellent teaching skills

Necessary Skills


• 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


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.


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


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


Assessment: What to Study?

• Usage• Usability• Usefulness• Outputs• Outcomes• Avatar-patron attitudes• Growth and viability


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


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


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?


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


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


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• http://www.troymcconaghy.com/blog/2007/9/12/o

pen-source-holo-emitter-for-sl.html

http://www.troymcconaghy.com/blog/2007/9/12/open-source-holo-emitter-for-sl.html

http://www.troymcconaghy.com/blog/2007/9/12/open-source-holo-emitter-for-sl.html


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


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.


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.


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.


Contact Information

Barbara A. GalikExecutive DirectorCullom-Davis LibraryBradley University1501 W. Bradley Ave.Peoria, IL 61625Phone: 309-677-2850Fax: 309-677-2558Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Contact Information

• Jill Hurst-WahlHurst Associates, Ltd., [email protected] Digitization 101blog: www.Digitization101.comTel: (315) 243-4403AOL IM: jillNYS Skype: jill.hurst.wahl

http://www.hurstassociates.com/


http://www.digitization101.com/


Contact Information

• Tom PetersTAP Information Services1000 SW 23rd StreetBlue Springs, MO [email protected] www.TAPinformation.com Skype: tapeters4466


http://www.tapinformation.com/

Kitty PopeExecutive Director

Alliance Library System

(800) 700-4857 x2101 [email protected]

www.alliancelibrarysystem.com


http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/

Documents

Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life Internet Librarian Preconference Workshop Saturday, October 27, 2007 in Monterey, California Conducted by: Barbara