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
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)
• 2003  Second Life open to the public
• Oct. 2007  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• Virtual Worlds Review (outdated)
– 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
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
Virtual librarianship in
MUVEs requires:
• Organizational and
professional commitment
• Funding
• A specific set of skills
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
History: Phase I
Summer 2006
• Volunteerism booms
• Librarians from all over the
world
• Most donate their time and
participate independently of
their institution
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
History: Phase II
Fall 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
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
History: Phase III
Winter 2006
• Libraries want bigger
spaces in Cybrary City and
are willing to pay
• Development of global
collaboration at an
institutional level
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
History: Phase III
Winter 2006
• InfoIsland archipelago
becomes truly international
– Multi-lingual reference
services
– Interactive programs
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
History: Phase III
Summer 2007
• Libraries purchase their own islands
– Bradley University
– Cleveland Public Library
– Stanford University libraries
– Approximate cost: $2,000 per year
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
Institutional Commitment
• 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
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
Funds needed for…
• 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
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
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
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
Funds needed for…
• Training
– Second Life presents a
steep learning curve that
takes time and patience
to conquer
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
Necessary Skills
• Multi-tasker
• Strategic communicator
• Comfortable with constant
change
• Inquisitive
• Excellent teaching skills
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
Necessary Skills
• Comfortable working from
home and/or in a nontraditional setting within a
flexible schedule
• Ability to work
independently and on a
team
• Sense of humor
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
Summary
Organizational and
professional commitment
Funding
A specific set of skills
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
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
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/lowcost 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
• http://www.troymcconaghy.com/blog/2007/9/12/
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 61625
Phone: 309-677-2850
Fax: 309-677-2558
Email: [email protected]
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
Contact Information
• Jill Hurst-Wahl
Hurst Associates, Ltd.,
www.HurstAssociates.com
[email protected]
Digitization 101blog:
www.Digitization101.com
Tel: (315) 243-4403
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 64015
816-228-6406
[email protected]
www.TAPinformation.com
Skype: tapeters4466
Libraries on the MUVE in Second Life
Kitty Pope
Executive Director
Alliance Library System
(800) 700-4857 x2101
[email protected]
www.alliancelibrarysystem.com