Second Life: Libraries, Government, Political Parties in the

Virtual WorldWhat’s in it for Government

Information Librarians?

Prepared for DttPALA GODORT

February, 2008Marcia Meister

Getting Started: http://www.secondlife.com/ Sign up – it’s free Create your avatar Get oriented in a welcome center Communicate with other avatars via in-

world chat, voice, and IM Attend a class, presentation, concert or

meeting in real-time Explore!

Second Life Libraries & Info International Alliance Library System leads the way with

innovation, creativity and funding Info Island grew into an “information archipelago”

and includes a Main library and the Bell library towers with collections developed by volunteer librarians

Reference Service is provided by volunteer librarians

International areas attract a multi language and cultural audience

Programs sponsored include a recent Lit Fest, the Land of Lincoln simulation, a Museum of Music with a multimedia show on the British Invasion

Government Agencies - NOAA NOAA presents interactive displays Weather displays and predictions Experience a hurricane or Tsunami Fly a weather balloon Experience a Tsunami

NASA Interactive displays on space programs Research Weather Conference center Mars simulation, and more

Virtual Congress 110th Congress swearing in was streamed

to SL in a simulation of Capitol Hill

Politics in SL Political candidates and parties in SL Live (virtual) rallies Fund raising

Libraries represented in Second Life ALA Law Libraries Academic Libraries Special Libraries State Libraries Public Libraries

Displays Museums

Museum of Music houses an exhibit on the British Invasion

Exhibits Cleveland Public Library’s historical photos

Celebrations Land of Lincoln simulation of the Lincoln White

House opened celebrating the Lincoln inauguration with an authentic period White House

Second Life

Explorations captured for DttP

The end