Libraries in Second Life:Thinking inside & outside the virtual box

Elisabeth Jacobsen Marrapodi

Director, Library Services

Trinitas Hospital, New Jersey

My Avatar, Myself:Brielle Coronet (SL) – Elisabeth (RL)

"What is now proved was once only imagined" William Blake

Just Imagine…

A world without limitsA world without borders

A world where vision becomes reality

A world where libraries are open 24/7…

Why Second Life? Over 60,000 reasons!

• Emergent technology in 3D platform

• Real time communication

• A new pathway for outreach

• International collaboration & partnerships

• Think tank test out new ideas

• Distance learning and meetings for CE

• Content is user generated and owned

• Over 60,000 people are logged 24/7

"The potential for commerce, education, entertainment and other interaction in a 3-D environment …

is far greater than in the flat and isolated two-dimensional world of the World Wide Web."

Philip Rosedale, co-founder, Second LifeU.S. Congressional Hearings, April 1, 2008

But, isn’t it just a game?

• “A virtual world like Second Life…is NOT a game, serious or otherwise, and referring to the work done in these spaces limits both the potential for the technology and the work it is enabling.”

Dr. Larry Johnson, CEO

New Media Consortium

U.S. Congressional Hearing, April 1,2008

The Virtual Reference DeskInfoIsland

SL Libraries & Partners: 40 islands, 95 library organizations, 800+ librarians from

around the world 500+ daily visitors!

SL Libraries: from traditional to niche: Lawspot Virtual Worlds Library

Health InfoIsland Medical Library

Montclair State Univ’s SL Library

ICT Library

IBM Library

Kuhrang Public Library

Genealogy Research Library

Mystery Manor

Talis Library SciFi Portal

In a visual world exhibits & displays work!

Reading Gardens: Caledon

Info Island Readers Garden

Please join your colleagues in Second Life!

Any questions?