Beach Front Community Club

This evening I visited the Beach Front Community Club at Hunts Point Beach, which is more or less a social place for dancing. Im not much for dancing in real life, but my avatar is not to shabby at dancing using dance balls. What interested me more, however, is the reflections of real life social interactions I noticed. I know that the Boelstorff text discusses sociological aspects of SL and how they mirror RL interactions between people/avatars. Frankly, I still felt quite awkward making friends, and some of the dancing had some seriously sexual overtones to it. Mostly though, it seemed like a place to have a good time and meet friends. I wonder if there is judgement in SL as in RL about clothing or hairstyles. Are there such things as cliques in SL? Is it more open than RL in terms of who you can comfortable talk to? Are people behind their avatars similarly judgemental about who they will talk to in terms of attractiveness? I can’t help but feel some sense that others are judging my clothes and hair. I would be very interested to talk to different avatars on their perceptions of social acceptability in SL, if they feel that they belong based on what they wear. Do people feel that their avatars belong within their groups in SL? I feel like so many of the avatars’ physical specs are so idealistically proportioned. It is very difficult not to look like a Barbie doll most of the time…is there such a thing as less attractive avatars? Is it possible to look less like a Barbie and Ken in SL? I feel it is very easy for someone to make their avatars be impossibly attractive to fulfil a self esteem need in Real Life. This is all speculation, of course, but it is so interesting the vibes I got in terms of social interactions…

Medical Information in Second Life

I recently read van den Brekel and Perryman’s article on consumer health information in Second Life. As a hypochondriac, the potential for quick, up-to-date medical information seemed very interesting. In medicine, there is no doubt that currency is paramount, and by the time a book or article is published, the information in it could very well not be accurate. Considering the ability to post note cards, disseminating important information through a library platform like Alliance Library System could increase the visibility and perceived usefulness of SL reference. The article discusses the experiences of HealthInfo Island, where education and research materials are accessible in an open space. Individual conditions such as breast cancer are organised room by room, which I found to be very helpful. Health information in SL can be used in health libraries as an extension of services or a way to draw in different and/or new users. The popularity of SL could very well mean that special libraries can create a broader awareness and appreciation of the information that is available. Not only can a user not leave the house, they also do not have to sift through hundreds of pages produced on a typical Google search. Questions of accuracy are not so much an issue at a health library such as HelathInfo Island in SL. If anyone has tried to check symptoms on WebMD or other sites, there is a strong possibility they have found they are minutes away from dying from a slight sore throat (or at least that’s how it feels).

Audio/visual displays can be an appealing way to bring people into this type of SL library. I particularly liked that this chapter discusses experimenting with different ways of delivering materials or services to patrons. Interest in health information is typically high, but there may well need to be outreach programs put in place where users can have discussions or ask questions to each other in a comfortable setting. One particular activity that I liked was the meeting for agoraphobics. Also, there were group events for people with specific diseases such as diabetes could have an educator or even doctor who would be interested in providing patients information virtually. In another class, we discussed the availability of Open Access publications for medical information, which makes formal information and studies freely available to anyone. Considering the interest in health information, providing outreach of legitimate, easily provides access to users who may be overwhelmed with external information they find in their own searches. 

A Retrospective Look at the Evolution of my Avatar and Adventuring with Friends

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed that I have become much more comfortable interacting in different environments in SL. Since Peachesbanana, Jaely, and myself have been able to work closely with one another, we have also come to acclimatise to exploring. Admittedly, one of my favourite parts of SL is dressing up my avatar in different types of clothing. I changed so much over the past few weeks, I didn't think it would be particularly interesting for anyone to read! Now however, I believe I am in a better "place" to reflect on the changes of my avatar. For some time, I was scared to try and change my hair or clothing out of fear of being bald or nude. As such, my avatar kept the same black outfit and standard hair for a while. Peachesbanana, Jaely and I agreed the only way to learn was through trial and error shopping. If we were together more, we could hopefully help each other if things went awry. My primary fiasco was with hair, but with practice of removing hair pieces from boxes, it got significantly easier. Also, the issue with clothes at the beginning was similarly challenging. At first, I didn't realise I had to remove items of clothing I was already wearing to replace them with new ones. For about a day, I looked like a deranged clown with multiple outfits on at once. Again, with some practice alongside my colleagues, the outfits became much more easier and fun to try on. Now I get compliments from not only FIMS friends, but from strangers as I shop on freebie galaxy. Although one of my favourite outfits was a smart professional dress/skirty-suity thing, I was promptly (lovingly) ridiculed for looking like a granny. Oh well. I'll wear it when my friends aren't online! I felt that now would be the time to reflect on the changes in my avatar because I hope it reflects some of the skills I've learned in navigating through different aspects of SL.

Visiting Other Neighbourhoods: Versailles

Today after our class I visited the Palace at Versailles, a replica of the French castle that is still steeped in history. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. It was mostly a place that tempted me to buy beautiful dresses worth hundreds of Lindens. I liked the idea that there were meetings and tea parties with historical figures like clergy members. However, there did not appear to be any mention at all of the French Revolution, which is perhaps one of the most famous events associated with the palace.

I think as a librarian and general history nerd, this place could have so much more potential. My friend cecilycole made a series of note cards on the many wives of Henry VIII. Versailles has so much interesting background, I would definitely start writing a simple history of it from Louis XIV to the revolutionary times. The place is mostly deserted, although I managed to make a new friend shopping for renaissance-ish furniture.

I can see this sim as a place that perhaps a reference librarian could send a patron looking for information on French history. I am most interested in SL becoming a more informative/educational experience for certain groups of users.

Virtual Neighbourhoods, Real Communities -- Branch and Specialised Services in SL

This week I read J.J. Jacobson’s article “Virtual Neighbourhoods, Real Communities: The Caledon Branch Library and the Branch Library Program.” To be honest, the thought of having specific branches in SL never crossed my mind. I think that dismissing virtual communities as homogenous is likely a popular opinion among nonusers. Instead of having physical branches in specific geographic areas in a community where the population may have more similarities than other areas applies to virtual libraries. In this case, branches serve specific interest groups. Much like “real libraries” patrons go to certain places in the same way as they would in SL. The Caledon branch in SL serves a specific interest group of Victorian steampunk users. Their interests primarily fall under the broad auspices of arts and sciences, but Caledon indeed attracts a specific crowd with specific interests. At the time the Jacobson wrote this article, other libraries focused on arts and sciences were in development. One library focuses on European history also, but is open to those who speak Danish or German. As a historian, I plan on looking for history library communities, where people can stand to hear me talk about history. SL libraries seem to be a place where users can search for information that may interest them, but not have to behave in a certain way, I think in terms of formality or seriousness as Jacobson describes. Much like in real libraries, librarians must immerse themselves in the culture of the sim. Organising and participating in social functions is important in making sure that resources like blogs or wikis and other useful tools are readily available and thoughtfully collected. I particularly liked how the author likened this idea to broader principles of librarianship (ie community engagement) I also think this chapter corresponds well with our tour of Ability Island on Monday night. Ability Island could in this sense serve as a branch library that specialises in providing services to those with physical or mental challenges that may prohibit them from going to a library in FL. Since librarians are often knowledgeable in how to provide specialised services, these skills can translate into SL library branch communities as well. 

Collections in Virtual Environments

I won't lie -- I am jazzed about collection development, so I was really jazzed about the potential for developing virtual collections. Although it would seem that it is nearly impossible without any physical materials, Rhonda Trueman's article shows that Alliance Virtual Library has been quite successful in developing online collections to their users. Books delivered through URL, in-world/audio, subject guides, and externam web links are great ways to provide service in the same way of a typical physical library. The fact that trained librarians become involved in providing access to information, which I would think instils a sense of confidence in the legitimacy and accuracy of a virtual collection.

New users of SL who stumble upon AVL find a welcoming environment that is helpful in providing help to adjust to the new world. I found it particularly interesting that AVL has a collection development policy that, much like bricks and mortar libraries, encourages community building, deliver up-to-date information, and most of all patron service. Ultimately, librarians working in different venues in SL can build their library communities through providing specialised materials in particular subjects that can be very useful for a variety of clientele. I particularly enjoyed her brief section on demonstrating the value of digital libraries. Digital archives, books, and other media can all bring out of world information in world. For example, sharing external URLs on notecards is a great way to promote the library and its value as an information provider. Although the resources and databases have to be free so that everyone can access them, it is nonetheless an exciting opportunity to spread library values and standards of service outside actual walls. I thought it was also very interesting that SL collections do not suffer from pressures of censorship since AVL is designed for adult use in the mature SL grid.

Like any other library, however, librarians must approach users to get their feedback on their feelings about their views on the collections, which can only encourage future improvements. SL libraries are still user-centred and clearly must correspond with the needs of the community at large. The next step is to develop wider networks to reach non-users and possibly even gain financial sponsorship to increase and improve existing collections.

A Brief History of Second Life

Reading Tom Boellstorff’s chapter on the history of Second Life helped me wrap my head around virtual worlds and where we can expect them to go. He suggests that this shift to more virtual encounters with people is a natural progression. After all, technology has historically changed how we interact with others – writing, telegraphs, telephones, email, and the like are all ways in which technology shapes our lives. The rise of electronic mass media in the late 19^th Century using those mediums is responsible for the growth of alternate worlds – for example, films and later television facilitated the visualisation of alternate realities. Even fiction such as Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia shows us that experiencing life through cyberspace is not a necessarily new concept – it uses a new medium analogous with the development of more sophisticated telecommunications. The rise of artificial realities such as Videoplace as early as the 1970s. This kind of technology gave way video games, which Boellstorff cites as the precursor to virtual worlds like SL. The development of the Internet since the 1960s is also an integral part of developing virtual worlds as it provides the grounds for mass socialisation that programs such as The Sims could not initially meet. 

Second Life brings together very complex and Aristotelian concepts of technology and techniques. That is, humans have the means to transform their lives and their surroundings through their creativity. This understanding of culture shows us that virtual communities spring from old forms of developing humanity. On the other hand, as Boellstorff points out most interestingly, it is developing in a way unlike any previous social development. Indeed, this coexistence of ideas can be overwhelming, but it also makes understanding the anthropological developments of Second Life much more manageable. These theories put SL development into a macro and micro sociological perspective, which to me develops a more complete picture of what we can expect as librarians working in a unique context.