Second Life and Twitter for Librarians
Virtual Tools for BuildingLocal and Global Networks
Angela MurilloUniversity of IowaGraduate Assistant
Rachel HallUniversity of Iowa
Graduate Assistant
Web 2.0 tools help libraries build global and local networks
Twitter: a microblogging tool that strengthens professional networks and helps librarians discover local information in real-time
Second Life: a virtual world where librarians can interact with a global audience and transcend physical boundaries
Second Life and Twitter offer innovative possibilities for collaborating with colleagues, reaching your patrons and marketing your library
Library 2.0
Twitter can seem useless.
Its utility depends on building a strong network.
But while you workon building your network,
you can still squeeze lotsof utility out of Twitter.
Yes, Twitter is for Librarians.
Professional Networking Query Your Network Local Reference Real-time, Local Information
Start Building Your Network…
Colleagues Friends Family News Agencies Bloggers Politicians
…Twitter is more interesting when you follow interesting people
Follow
Add value to the network w/140 characters.
Share Links (bit.ly) Publicize events Ask questions Tell jokes @, RT, d
Tweet
It's the heart of Twitter.
Twitter is made up of vast streams of data and noise. Librarians have special skills to massage useful information out of these streams.
Boolean Searches Hashtags & the Backchannel Saved Searches Trending Topics
Search
Critiques
"Individually, most Twitter messages are stupefyingly trivial. But the true value of Twitter is cumulative. The power is in the surprising effects that come from receiving thousands of pings from your posse...
"The real appeal of Twitter is almost the inverse of narcissism. It's practically collectivist — you're creating a shared understanding larger than yourself.”
-Clive Thompson on “The Social Sixth Sense,”Wired Magazine
“Twitter will only be as useful as the people on the end of it.”
-LC Rich, BBC News
“Twitter is precisely what you want it to be.”-David Pogue, New York Times
Second Life
A 3-D virtual world Users create avatars to interact Free Used by educators, universities,
libraries, artists, musicians… Over 16 million registered accounts Global Innovative collaboration
What is Second Life?
All major universities have a presence in Second Life
Librarians could collaborate with their universities
Bridges a gap for our patrons (academic, public, special, any other)
Space and distance no longer matter
How could we use Second Life?
Example: International Writing Program
International Writing Program writers read from their work and had Q&A with the audience
Located on Info Island International Staffed about 80 hours a week by library
volunteers Reference staff assist with Second Life &
real life questions
Example: Community Virtual Island Reference Desk
Professional Networking Helps Us Help Patrons Educational Resource Professional Development Courses Global Reach Collaborative and Innovative Tool
What does Second Life providefor Librarians?
Questions?Thank you!
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