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.   

Reference Services in Second Life

As a reference assistant, I found S. Thompson’s article “Reference Services in a Virtual World” very interesting. Although ready reference in the synchronous sense (i.e. with both patron and librarian conversing in real time) is ideal, it is still challenging from the perspective of the library as an institution – staffing, allotting time, and the like may not be realistic for a long term service. On the other hand, asynchronous meetings (i.e. when the librarian can answer a question left for them) is far more feasible. It is certainly less pressure for the librarian, who can answer questions at their own pace, and not at the expense of their other duties.

At first, I thought it all sounded well and good. However, like much theory surrounding increased digitisation, not only may technologies fail, but it could also serve as depersonalising the librarian – expecting them to perform the work of a machine. Another good point that Thompson raises is unfamiliarity with program interfaces which can be alienating for the user. Indeed, learning one’s way around SL can be overwhelming. It takes time and may not be as effective a service for some users. It was also interesting to read the author’s ideas on correcting depersonalisation through gestures and facial expressions, making the interaction more personal.

QuestionPoint seems to be a good compromise of synchronous and asynchronous meetings between a patron and a librarian. Still, the problems described above were not solved, access was difficult, and interest appeared to be low on the part of staffing and patron queries. Live Reference on the other hand seems to be a more familiar way of doing virtual reference. The volunteer staffing seems to work well and as a result, there is much more interest on the part of MLIS librarians, assistants, and patrons. Roaming reference is another interesting way for virtual librarians to meet more potential users.

Perhaps my favourite part of the article was the discussion on “griefers,” who intentionally try to annoy other users, including librarians. Nudists, voyeurs, and litterbugs are regrettably problems in both online and in-person libraries. I would be interested in seeing how reference service at Alliance Virtual Library will grow. I think the only way to see an increase in interest is through more intensive marketing – perhaps outside SL. I’m also curious to know how SL can tailor reference services for those who have physical handicaps that prevent them from using in-person libraries. 

Volunteer Preparations

Over the past few weeks, Peachesbanana, Jaely and myself have been preparing for our first book club meeting this week. Although having a bit of a break was nice, we're ready to get down to discussing our novels. One thing I've noticed is the amount of co-operation that is required for arranging our club. We've been working with Abbey who has been an absolute gem in scheduling our meetings and promoting us to other SL users. So far we have had a really positive experience. Hopefully the meetings will be as successful as the planning!

Management Issues in Virtual Libraries

The more I visit different types of places in SL (Renaissance Island, CVL) I realise that there is also concerted efforts among librarian volunteers to balance their First Lives with their responsibilities in First Life. I could completely relate to Rhonda Trueman's article Management in Virtual Worlds when she writes that working in Second Life can be extremely overwhelming for a librarian who has not experience in gaming or other virtual spaces (i.e. me). Speaking with several colleagues in the class on Western Island, there is an expectation that one who volunteers in a virtual library is skilled in the virtual world already. As one friend noted during office hours last night, some virtual managers may be challenged with the prospect that finding volunteer librarians may be difficult, especially since the learning curve is fairly steep. 


Trueman's article also points out that volunteering in a virtual library (she cites Alliance Virtual Library) can take up much of a librarian's time to the oint of excess. Too much focus on activities can cause a volunteer librarian not to take notice of creativity around them, or hopefully pick up new skills in the process. I found it particularly interesting that some librarians are paid for their time working in SL. Could this be a sign that a shift to more participation in virtual libraries on the wide scale is an attainable goal? I was also unaware of how formalised a volunteer schedule is so much like that of first life libraries. She describes Alliance Virtual Library as a network of small teams that promote reference services, collection development, or any other part of library work that may interest him or her. Another value I found in SL libraries is that of networking with a librarian in any part of the world -- the collaboration experience seems quite rewarding. From what I can gather, part of any time of librarianship is that of working together and sharing skills. SL provides a unique venue to accomplish this. 

Library and Museums in SL for Children, Tweens, and Teens

I recently read Marty Grover's chapter in Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries and enjoyed it very much, because providing online service to young people, possibly in a medium in which they feel comfortable is an exciting prospect. Because I love libraries and museums, I believe that incorporating SL or other online worlds will have educational value over time. Beyond age restrictions and other barriers, drawing young people and educators and maintaining their interest is another type of challenge that SL librarians or curators will have to face.

Finding the best type of SL platform for children and teens requires certain considerations, especially to protect them from bullying or other types of predatory activities. There are several ways to instil this safety: for example, parental controls, chat filters/moderation. Finding the balance between these "safety features" while maintaining useful content such as file sharing, user-created content, and live help can be difficult. Choosing the right platform must take some serious consideration.

Grover points out Whyville, Club Penguin, and Furcadia, as potential platforms to appeal to children based on their simple interfaces, bright colours, and play-learn teaching potential. At times, this simplicity of interface and graphics can be limiting in terms of activities. The drawback of the latter is that users cannot really create their own content. Using Whyville and Club Penguin may be difficult for educators to use it effectively if trying to create unique types of learning tools or lesson plans. Something like Furcadia or There, though, could be better, since it is more flexible in building unique content and even collaborate with others. Teen Second Life looks very interesting for potential educational value. Considering we have been exploring different worlds, I can see more opportunity to design library or course materials and interact with students that way. I also liked many of the safety mechanisms it uses.

Of course, no platform is entirely user friendly, and some features may not be as easy to navigate as others, but I imagine that over time, SL for educational purpose can become more appealing in the future. I am increasingly noticing that libraries can play a part in virtual worlds, particularly for reference.

Appearance, Volunteering, and More!

After a particularly nasty cold earlier last week, I spent most of my time in SL playing around with my appearance -- the more bizarre the better. While I've kept my robo-body, I opted for a fluffy cat head, a long, slightly unflattering skirt, and unicorn shoes. I'm pretty happy with the way I look right now, but I'm looking forward to making more adjustments to my avatar, maybe going back to being in a human form.

Also, I've decided to volunteer at the CVL reference desk, since I really enjoy working reference in first life. I'm a little bit nervous I won't be helpful, but I will definitely try my best to help a potential SL patron. I'm still waiting to hear back from Rolig, but hopefully I'll hear from her tomorrow!

Later this week, I'm planning on meeting a couple of friends from the class to have a chat about the course so far, which I think will help me feel more comfortable in SL, even though I'm feeling more confident since I joined the class later than I would have liked. However, I could definitely use a hand in creating some objects, as I'm having a bit of trouble in that department. Also, I saw the invitation for the Halloween party towards the end of the month and I'm very excited to see my friends in different costumes, and maybe volunteer in costume as well. Seems like there is more and more to look forward to in SL over the next few weeks.

Sociology in SL -- Tom Boellstorff

Tom Boellstorff’s introductory chapter in Coming of Age in Second Life shed some light on the future of interactions in SL. I identified most with the first page of the chapter where he describes initial reactions to arriving in this new world. Indeed, I felt rather stranded and overwhelmed, despite tutorials and other guides. Interestingly, Boellstorff argues that virtual lives possess the same humane qualities that we exhibit in “actual life.” Thousands of SL users live their lives and interact with other users around them in almost the same way that they do in First Life (FL). In SL, users make decisions that have the same ramifications in FL. For example, he cites getting married or starting up a business. I agree with the author when he says that at this point of analysis, the boundaries between FL and SL become quite blurred. I particularly liked when Boellstorff described living in SL through the same “prism” of learning about and participating in culture. At this point, I started to adjust my perceptions about SL to view it as an extension of how we participate our FL, or “actual life.” He goes so far as to say that even using the term “world” is dangerous when applied to SL, because of its naturalistic undertones, that essentially removes the potential for human agency in its development.

The author describes the potential difficulties in getting a “big picture” understanding of the complexities found in SL communities. I thought about that issue when applied to libraries in SL – is it possible to have specialized libraries that users can visit, that are uniquely useful to them in their SL communities? Perhaps this can be discussed in our meetings to develop an understanding how we can make libraries fit most effectively for SL users. 

A Newbie's Introduction to Second Life

Having only vaguely heard of Second Life, I was intrigued by the prospect of using it in a library context. As libraries become increasingly digitised, taking our work to virtual worlds seems like something of a natural progression. Upon my first arrival to the world, I was quite overwhelmed and truthfully a little frightened, but perhaps this can be associated with beginning a little late. . I hope, though, that I can get more comfortable over the next few days because it does interest be quite a bit.

In the first chapter of Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries, Tom Peters points out that virtual libraries are truly ground-up projects that start with librarians who spend much of their spare time creating useful and viable libraries in SL.

Interestingly, I believe that SL libraries have similar to those in FL. For example, determining whether or not these virtual people and creatures need reference services does not differ much from the crisis we currently experience in our academic and public libraries. However, much like in FL, these virtual librarians recognize the value of designing collections and services for groups of avatar users that may visit.

At present, it seems as though FL libraries are not quite equipped to whole-heartedly embrace a dramatic move towards intensive SL services. Indeed, technologically, the hardware and software in most libraries could not support the needs of SL programming (I need only look at my own computer and understand these red flags.) Peters also points out that there may be a lack of interest on the part of FL library management. While there is an interesting body of research already, it would still be very helpful to raise awareness and interest for this avenue of service. Indeed, increasing education in popular professional literature is one way to understand the benefits and implications of introducing SL to library systems. For example, contending with language barriers is one issue that could deter effective service. However, SL affords the luxury of space and ability to provide many materials, since shelving structures are no longer an issue. While this sounds mind-boggling, these questions can surely be sorted through trial and error. The same goes for the organization of information, which, in SL, calls into question of rigid classification systems, in exchange for more events and exhibits, which I had some difficulty wrapping my head around.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this article was the fact that the ALA has a formal presence in SL, which I did not know about. This presence seems to hint at a future move toward educational consortia, although merging different  librar- things from MUVEs could be a challenge., but perhaps an interesting experiment.

Although libraries in SL are relatively recent, after reading this article, I felt as though there is a lot of potential for growth and more widespread interest.