Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Libraries this week in Second Life

Summer Picnic Fun!

You are invited to a picnic, a hunt, and a party or two during the month of August at Alliance Virtual Library. Scattered about the sims Info Island, Info Island International and Imagination are picnic areas loaded with goodies to enjoy and hidden gifts. Each area holds a landmark to one of our library areas where you can learn about a variety of topics and find even more goodies!

Picnic areas are open now to explore and enjoy. You'll find romantic spots, places of imagination, helpful info. games like volleyball, catch, and kenpo, and just plain fun by visiting Alliance Virtual Library during Summer Picnic Fun!

On August 15th at 2 PM SLT you are invited to enjoy a summer
fun party. Wear your cut-offs and flip flops and come to dance! We'll
have fireworks, food, and fun! Then on August 30th at 2 PM SLT we'll close Summer Picnic Fun with a special party (details to be announced).

Please join us at Alliance Virtual Library for Summer Picnic Fun!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island%20International/115/237/33

Rainbow Gardens Summer PartyPlease join us at Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial on August 14, from 5:00 – 6:00 pm SLT.We will celebrate our new exhibit, Summer Pet Care Tips, by having a beach party and dancing.Anyone will also have the opportunity to share a poem about their RL or SL pets.Please come dressed in your favorite swimsuit or beach wear.Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial, Cybrary City II (128, 12, 21)
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City%20II/128/8/21

For more information, contact Dulcie Mills


*Join us Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14 for OPALescence 2009: A Free Online Library Conference for Everyone!*
*Registration is free, easy, and online at: **http://tinyurl.com/N4JMV7*<https://mail.alliancelibrarysystem.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=eae2e10ee767408692d060cd75bce6c1&URL=http%3a%2f%2ftinyurl.com%2fN4JMV7>
Has your travel budget dried up? Still want that conference experience of fresh ideas, lively conversations, and networking with colleagues? Participate in OPALescence, a free online conference for everyone. Fantastic, nationally known speakers with interesting and informative presentations as well as "unconference" discussions spread over two days.
OPALescence 2009 is two online conferences in one:
• A "traditional" conference with scheduled speakers.
• An unconference with facilitators where you can discuss whatever topic interests you.
The conference will be held in OPAL: Online Programs for All: http://www.opal-online.org/<https://mail.alliancelibrarysystem.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=eae2e10ee767408692d060cd75bce6c1&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.opal-online.org%2f>and is hosted by TAP Information Services.
*Sign up & join the conference wiki today: ** http://opalescence.wetpaint.com/*<https://mail.alliancelibrarysystem.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=eae2e10ee767408692d060cd75bce6c1&URL=http%3a%2f%2fopalescence.wetpaint.com%2f>
*Thursday, August 13, 2009*
Noon Eastern Time, 11 Central, 10 Mountain, and 9 Pacific:
Opening Keynote: The Future of User Experience in Libraries
Speaker: Nate Bolt
1 p.m. Eastern Time, noon Central, 11 Mountain, and 10 Pacific:
Topic: Librarians in Virtual Environments: From Classrooms to Communities
Speaker: Alison Miller
3 p.m. Eastern Time, 2 Central, 1 Mountain, and noon Pacific:
Topic: Collaboration 2.0
Speaker: Robin Hastings
4 p.m. Eastern Time, 3 Central, 2 Mountain, and 1 Pacific:
Topic: Best Practices for Web 2.0 in Schools
Speaker: Erin Downey Howerton
*Friday, August 14, 2009*
Noon Eastern Time, 11 Central, 10 Mountain, and 9 Pacific:
Topic: Listening to the Future of Reading: Readers' Advisory and Audio Books
Speaker: Kaite Stover
1 p.m. Eastern Time, noon Central, 11 Mountain, and 10 Pacific:
Topic: How American Libraries Are Using Web 2.0 Tools for Marketing
Speaker: Curtis Rogers
3 p.m. Eastern Time, 2 Central, 1 Mountain, and noon Pacific:
Topic: Beyond the Basics: Training for Technological Fluency
Speaker: Brenda Hough
4 p.m. Eastern Time, 3 Central, 2 Mountain, and 1 Pacific:
Closing Keynote: Networking Library Services: A Glimpse at the Future--Moving Library Management Services to Web-Scale
Speaker: Andrew Pace
Or…Participate in one of the Unconference Sessions—Held throughout the conference on Thursday and Friday in one of the online rooms in OPAL: Discuss the topics and trends you want!
“Opalescence: The state or quality of being luminous, iridescent, and lustrous … like an opal”


Please join us for a discussion fraught with Indian intrigue and corruption in another terrific book discussion lined up for the Reader's Garden with Kansan and librarian MusMuris Messmer. BookFix is a new and monthly discussion in the Garden. For more information about BookFix, please see the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library BookFix website at http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/westpage/bookfix.htm


Date: August 12th at 6pm SLT. This month's discussion is of The White Tiger, authored by Aravind Adiga, winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2008.
Additional Info: See Garden Blog: http://readersgardensl.blogspot.com/
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City/124/157/25
Everyone welcome and bring your headphones (combination of voice and text, but depends on participant comfort level).


Alexandrian Free Library: (Caledon, Winterfell, Steelhead, New Toulouse, New Babbage, Amatsu Shima, West of Ireland, Steeltopia, Deadwood & Al Andalus)

Library Events for August 5 - 11 2009

Continuing Exhibits:Caledon Library: From Oxcarts to Gondolas: the travel albums of Isabella Stewart GardnerJune 14 to January 3, 2010HG Wells Memorial Library, Caledon Wellsian, http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Wellsian/225/236/23

New Toulouse - Louis Armstrong2009-07-05 - 2009-10-01Toussaint L'Overture Community Library, New Toulousehttp://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse/64/87/34

WOI: I’ll Drink to That! The Food and Drink of Ireland2009-07-12 - 2009-08-10West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland

http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Great Ladies of Cookery: British and American cookbook publishing by Women in the 18th & 19th centuries2009-07-31 - 2009-10-29Where: Whitehorn Library, Caledon Victoria City

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/55/202/23

New Exhibits:WOI- Names of Ireland2009-08-11 - 2009-10-11West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland

http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Events of the Week:WOI - Gryo Muggins with The Queen of Air and DarknessWednesday, 05 August, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland

http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

“The Queen of Air and Darkness” Part 2 by Poul Andersen (found in Nebula Awards Stories Seven) On a habitable alien world, a struggling colony deals with unsolved disappearances and rumors of the mythical fairie folk of earth. Whatever they are, they’re not the Keebler Elves.-----------------------------------------WOI - Beowulf with Shandon LoringThursday, 06 August, 20097:00pm - 8:30pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Shandon Loring brings to life the magic of Beowulf! This is soooo not the way you thought about it in school! Listener's choice - all in one sitting, or stay for half tonight and join us next week for the other half. Part I from 7:00pm to 7:45pm, and Part II from 7:45pm to 8:30pm Then, Thursday 8/13 will be Part I from 6:15pm to 7:00pm, and Part II from 7:00pm to 7:45pm.-----------------------------------------

Caledon Library: Wind in the Willows Listening PartySaturday, 8 August, 200910:00am - 11:00am SLTTinyville Library, Tinyville, Caledon Tanglewood

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Tanglewood/19/168/24

Chapter Eight: Toad's Adventures A Willowy Place This month, we follow Toad as he escapes from Prison, dabbles in transvestism and horse-dealing, meditates on the importance of pockets, leaps on and off railroad engines with mad abandon, and generally causes a ruckus all over the countryside!"To his horror he recollected that he had left both coat and waistcoat behind him in his cell, and with them his pocket-book, money, keys, watch, matches, pencil-case—all that makes life worth living, all that distinguishes the many-pocketed animal, the lord of creation, from the inferior one-pocketed or no-pocketed productions that hop or trip about permissively, unequipped for the real contest."

-----------------------------------------WOI- Elegia Underwood with Quirky Stories by John CollierSunday, 9 August, 20091:00pm - 2:00pm SLT West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland

http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Elegia Underwood, Steelhead's eccentric Dragoness, will be reading quirky stories by John Collier. Many of Collier's stories, famous for the sting in the tail, were used as the basis for scripts for the vintage TV series, Alfred Hitchcock Presents & The Twilight Zone. Come enjoy the wit & be amused.-----------------------------------------

Story Session at the Falling AnvilMonday, 10 August, 20095:00pm - 8:00pm SLT The Falling Anvil, Caledon Tamrannoch

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Tamrannoch/230/108/22

Sponsored by the Caledon Library, the Clan of Seafarers and Storytellers, and the Storytelling Guild-----------------------------------------WOI-Caledonia Skytower with "The Penderwicks"Monday, 10 August, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLT West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland

http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

THE PENDERWICKS by Jeanne Birdsall (National Book Award 2005) A SummerTale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy . . .-----------------------------------------By Whitman, Biweekly!Tuesday, 11 August, 20094:00pm - 5:00pm SLTCaledon Library, Caledon Victoria City

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/160/117/23

A Discussion led by Dame Kghia Gherardi of the works of Walt Whitman By Whitman, Biweekly! Alternate Tuesdays at 4pm SLT Caledon Library, on the Hub in Victoria City

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/160/117/23

Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass is one of the works at the foundations of American poetry. Its expansive attempt to capture the spirit and landscape of the 19th century United States has influenced an entire culture's self-concept, and its rich language continues to inspire readers today as it has for the century and a half of its existence."By Whitman, Biweekly" will provide an opportunity to look closely at this beloved work. Each time we'll spend an hour discussing its context and examining the poetry of the 1855 first edition. The series will also give those who love Leaves of Grass, and those who would like to learn more, an opportunity to explore Whitman's vigorous and heartfelt poetry together. Schedule: May 5 & 19 June 2 , 16, & 30July 14 & 28 August 11 & 25 September 8 & 22 Oct 6 & 20 Nov 3 & 17 Dec 1, 15, & 29-----------------------------------------

WOI- Names of Ireland: New Exhibit Opening and PresentationTuesday, 11 August, 20097:00pm – 8:00pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland

http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Tonight the West of Ireland Library opens a new exhibit on Irish surnames. Join us for an exploration of where Irish names come from and what they mean. Bring along some of your family names, and we'll see what we can uncover.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Central Florida Memory in Second Life - Video Tours Available

Central Florida Memory in Second Life! – Video Tours Available

In the summer of 2008, the Orange County Library System (OCLS) brought the Central Florida Memory project (www.cfmemory.org) to a new audience through an interactive exhibit built within the virtual world of Second Life (www.secondlife.com).

OCLS has now produced two video tours to introduce, promote, and explain both the exhibit and the project. The videos utilize machinima, the art of producing computer animated films through pre-existing 3D environments, to tell the stories of historic Central Florida.

Viewers follow the adventures of Nik Mortenwold (real world OCLS employee Nick Martinolich) as he explores a turn of the century Florida homestead complete with cracker house, barn, school house, and more. Nick interacts with the residents of the exhibit to learn more about their daily lives and routines.

Nick, who holds a degree in film from the University of Central Florida, was excited to branch into a new medium of filmmaking. He comments, “It is exciting to think of all the innovations in film and video that have laid the groundwork for the freedom in creation we have today. The ability for a single individual with a computer to tell a complete story is one of the beauties of machinima and is providing independence to filmmakers like never before.”

Visitors to the virtual exhibit are treated to an interactive and immersive experience that allows them to witness history first hand in an open and free roaming environment. Visitors are also provided with resources on starting a digitization project, the types of documents included in Central Florida Memory, and much more.

Go to www.ocls.info/about/collaborations.asp to find out more information about the exhibit and to view the videos.

Questions about the videos or machinima can be directed to martinolich.nicholas@ocls.info. *In World* questions can be sent to Nik Mortenwold. The exhibit and videos are available on an ongoing basis.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Second Life classes for Educators and Librarians

GSLIS and the Illinois Alliance Library System are pleased to offer a series of non-credit continuing education courses for librarians, museum professionals, educators, and others interested in learning and teaching in virtual worlds such as Second Life. This is the last time these courses will be offered.
Go to http://www.lis.illinois.edu/programs/cpd/VW/ for more information and to sign up. Below are listed the courses available.
Second Life 101
NEW Dates and times: Fridays, August 7, 14, 21, 28 from 10:00am - 12:00 pm SL time (US Pacific)Location: Second LifeCost: $125

Virtual World Librarianship
Dates and times: Sundays, September 6, 13, 20 27 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm SL (US Pacific) time Location: Info Island, Second LifeCost: $125

Working with a Class in Second LifeWednesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23 from 4:00 -6:00 pm SL (US Pacific) timeLocation: Second LifeCost: $150

Instructional Tools for Second LifeDates and times: Thursdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24 4:00 - 6:00 PM SL (US Pacific) time Location: Second LifeCost: $125

Setting Up an educational Presence in Second LifeDates and times: Sundays, August 2, 9, 16, 23 from 4:00-6:00 PM SL (US Pacific) timeLocation: Second LifeCost: $150

Managing from a Distance: Virtual World LeadershipDates and times: Wednesdays, August 5, 12, 19, 26 from 4:00-6:00 pm SL (US Pacific) timeLocation: Second LifeCost: $150

Working with Your Administrator: How to Sell Second LifeDates and times: Tuesdays, August 11, 18, 25 and September 1 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm SL (US Pacific) timeLocation: Second LifeCost: $150

For more information please contact Marianne Steadley at UIUC: steadley@uiuc.edu

Monday, June 15, 2009

Sci-fi & Fantasy Portal Book of the Month discussions
Tue. June 16th at 6:30 pm and Sat. June 20th at 1 pm (SL times)
SNOW CRASH by Neal Stephenson

SNOW CRASH weaves virtual reality, Sumerian myth, and more into a story of what has become the "Information Age.” Hiro is a pizza delivery boy in his real life, but in the Metaverse he's a warrior prince. He races on a search-and-destroy mission to find the shadowy virtual villain threatening to bring about "infocalypse".

Whether you've read the book recently, in the past, or not at all but are curious about it or the author, you're welcome to come to the Portal for the discussion--which will be in Chat.

Host: Adrienne Tigerpaw

http://slurl.com/secondlife.com/Info%20Island/210/94/33

June 17 @ 5 PM SLT
Info Island - Auditorium
Library Buzz - ALA Pre-Conference Buzz

Donovan Vicha/Oberon Octagon and Tina Coleman/Kay Tairov will lead a library buzz on Info Island about ALA in Second Life and the upcoming ALA Chicago Conference.

Alexandrian Free Library: (Caledon, Winterfell, Steelhead, New Toulouse, New Babbage, Amatsu Shima, West of Ireland, Steeltopia, Deadwood, Al Andalus & Constantinople) Library Events for June 17 - 23, 2009
Continuing Exhibits:
Caledon Library 19th Century Spiritualism Exhibit, curated by Mica BraunMay 1st to July 17th, 2009Where: The Jack and Elaine Whitehorn Memorial Library, Caledon Victoria Cityhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/59/196/23

West of Ireland Library: Leprechauns!, curated by Derry McMahonJune 10 ----West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Caledon Library: From Oxcarts to Gondolas: the travel albums of Isabella Stewart GardnerJune 14 – January 3, 2010HG Wells Memorial Library, Caledon Wellsian, http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Wellsian/225/236/23

Events of the Week:
Winterfell Library - Aianna's Fireside TalesWednesday, 17 June, 20096:00pm - 7:00pm SLT Bard's Bonfire, Winterfell Taure En Lor http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell/21/222/23

Winterfell Library - Aianna's Fireside Tales Every other Wed evening at 6pm – 7pm Bard's Bonfire, Winterfell Taure En Lor http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell/21/222/23
"Here is where the dragon roams, The faerie plays, the gnome hides. Across the centuries, from far to home, Here is where the magic abides!" Join us every other Wednesday at 6 PM SLT on Bard's Island in Winterfell as Aianna reads to us magical tales.

June 17th -The Sacred Fire - Charles de Lint July 1st - Winter Was Hard - Charles de Lint
-----------------------------------------WOI – Fairies, and Leprechauns, and Sprites, O My! Wednesday, 17 June, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLT West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29 Join Derry McMahon and the WOI Storytellers for charming, funny, puzzling, and even dark tales of the ‘wee folk’.

-----------------------------------------WOI – Haunts & Mysteries True Irish Ghost Stories with Shandon LoringThursday, 18 June, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLT West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29 Haunts in Dublin:Poltergeists and banshees, spirit-filled houses, and deathbed scenes pervaded by specters. 'True Irish Ghost Stories' is a collection of tales that resulted from a newspaper article asking contributors to send in their favorite true and personal accounts of ghostly happenings. This collection is classified by geographical area, with each tale offering a simple yet compelling narrative and providing an authentic glimpse into late 19th and early 20th century Ireland. Tonight we will visit Dublin and its immediate surroundings.

-----------------------------------------Fae! Aether SalonSunday, 21 June, 20092:00pm - 3:00pm SLTBabbage Palisadehttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Babbage%20Palisade/97/59/105/?title=Aether%20Salon
Fairy dust, fairy rings, fey looks, changelings, fairy cake - what do you believe? what is merely myth-twined-mist?
Join those who know that the Fae are not mere creatures from children's books. They take many forms. They are dark, dangerous, beautiful, and innocent - often all at the same time.
Salon will explore the world of the Fey with CorpseLight DeSantis and TotalLunar Eclipse (and it would have been three if Tenk hadn't gotten shanghaied) on June 21 at 2pm slt at Aether Salon.
The Consulate of Europa Wulfenbach is proud to sponsor this seating of the Aether Salon. We support this energetic exchange of knowledge among the people of the steamlands for the betterment of us all.See you there!
(http://aethersalon.blogspot.com)

-----------------------------------------WOI - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with Lilia Quinnell (part 2)Monday, 22 June, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29
The L. Frank Baum story which chronicles the adventures of a girl named Dorothy in the Land of Oz. Meet the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion, as they face witches and flying monkeys and all sorts of adventures.
-----------------------------------------WOI – Gyro Muggins with Great Surreal StoriesTuesday, 23 June, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29 “The Flying Machine” by Ray Bradbury (found in S Is for Space) In ancient China an inventor presents the gift of flight to the Emperor. This story could explain why aircraft were never seen in historical China.
“Walking Aunt Daid” by Zenna Henderson Aunt “Daid” is a member of the family, but for so long no one remembers exactly which side of the family she’s been on. “She shoulda been daid a long time ago.” Mostly Aunt Daid is docile, but once in each generation she insists on taking a walk.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

RezLibris Magazine Releases June issue

RezLibris releases June 2009 Issue
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Vienna James

DATE: June 7, 2009
EMAIL: rezlibris@gmail.com

RezLibris Magazine releases June 2009 Issue

RezLibris is proud to announce the release of a new issue available at: http://www.rezlibris.com!

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

AVL Celebrates Three Years in SL!
Eye Spy a Library contest – Find the Library – Win Linden!
Library Career Fair Draws Students
Illumination Island Makes a Move
Opening of MacArthur Island
Poetry Month’s Poetry Quest Machinima

This publication is for SL Librarians, and we want to help you in your SL endeavors!
So please share with us your:

· Grand Openings
· Special Events
· Book Discussions
· Poetry Readings
· Classes, Conferences & Seminars
· Best Practices
· Tell us your Stories!

In turn we will spread the word throughout the SL Library Community!
And of course, we welcome your feedback! Let us know if you would like a representative to come speak at your next meeting.
You can reach us at rezlibris@gmail,com

Vienna James
Public Relations Director
RezLibris Magazine

REZLibris: To inform, share, inspire and encourage the SL Library Community.
For information on advertising in the online or print editions, contact Sifriya Devin, Ad Manager, by IM or at sifriya.devin@gmail.com.
RezLibris Magazine, http://www.rezlibris.comSLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City/146/152/24/?title=RezLibris%20MagazineEmail: rezlibris@gmail.comJoin our SL group: RezLibris Readers
Dulcie Mills, Publisher

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Libraries this week in Second Life

May's TX950 Volunteer Party! - May 29th at 6 PM SLT
Location: To Be Announced - Join the group SL Library 2.0 to receive notices or contact Abbey Zenith.
Each month AVL holds a monthly party for volunteers and friends of the library but all are welcome to attend these fun themed parties! This month's theme is AVL Hospital, so dress in your uniform, scrubs, lab coats or as a patient and come party with us! There will be costume contest, great music and lively chat!

Alliance Virtual Library 3rd Anniversary Celebration Party!
May 30th at 2:00 PM SL - 3:30 PM SLT
Alliance Virtual Library - Info Island
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/96/119/31

Gabrielle Riel of Radio Riel will be on hand to help us celebrate our third year in Second Life. The traditional gift for a 3rd year anniversary is leather, so wear your best leathers for this party! We'll be raising money to support Alliance Virtual Library by having a silent auction for the time and expertise of some of our volunteers. You can bid on a 2 hour block of time with many of our most skilled volunteers and learn about building, scripting, texturing, creating SL books, AV appearance, and other SL skills.

Radio Riel will be donating all tips to AVL for this event. Please join us to celebrate and to donate! Please help support AVL in Second Life!

Stonewall Learning Center DiscussionWednesday May 27, 6:00pm at the Info Island auditorium
On this installment of our discussion series on LGBT issues our panel will be discussing "coming out". We'll be having personal stories and experience as well as a talk about what being in our out of the closet means to LGBT people and those around them.

Alexandrian Free Library: (Caledon, Winterfell, Steelhead, New Toulouse, New Babbage, Amatsu Shima, West of Ireland, Steeltopia, Deadwood, Al Andalus & Constantinople) Library Events for May 20 - 26 2009

Continuing Exhibits:
19th Century Literary Influences on Steampunk, an exhibit at the Steelhead Public LibraryMAR 15 to JUN 13, 2009The Steelhead Public Libraryhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/123/184/25
Caledon Library 19th Century Spiritualism Exhibit, curated by Mica BraunMay 1st to July 29th, 2009The Jack and Elaine Whitehorn Memorial Library, Caledon Victoria Cityhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/59/196/23
Events of the Week:
Winterfell Library - Aianna's Fireside TalesWednesday, 20 May, 20096:00pm - 7:00pm SLTBard's Bonfire, Winterfell Taure En Lor http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell/21/222/23
Winterfell Library - Aianna's Fireside Tales Wed, 6pm – 7pm Bard's Bonfire, Winterfell Taure En Lor http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell/21/222/23 "Here is where the dragon roams, The faerie plays, the gnome hides. Across the centuries, from far to home, Here is where the magic abides!" Join us every other Wednesday at 6 PM SLT on Bard's Island in Winterfell as Aianna reads to us magical tales. April 8th - That Explains Poland - Charles de LintApril 22nd - Romano Drom - Charles de Lint May 6th - The Sacred Fire -Charles de Lint May 20th - Winter Was Hard - Charles de Lint
-----------------------------------------
WOI – The conclusion of The Song of the Pearl with Lilia QuinnellWednesday, 20 May, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29 Tonight, the conclusion of: Song of the Pearl by Ruth NicholsMargaret Redmond, who dies at seventeen, finds that to gain understanding of self and to overcome a deep hatred that has marred her last years she must relive parts of her earlier lives on earth. Story told in voice.
-----------------------------------------
WOI – Shandon Loring with Haunted MysteriesThursday, 21 May, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29 Join Shandon for stories such as: "Tales to Freeze the Blood”, “True Irish Ghost Stories”, “Haunted Dublin”, “The Candle of Vision”, “Tales of Fairys and of the Ghost World”, etc. Stories told in voice.
-----------------------------------------
WOI - The Tale of Despereax with Caledonia SkytowerMonday, 25 May, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLT West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29 The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo In “Book the Second: Chiaroscuro” our tale picks up after our hero has been thrown to the rats in the dungeon, and we meet another unique soul, Roscuro the Rat. Story told in voice.
-----------------------------------------
WOI – Flowers for Algernon with Gyro MugginsTuesday, 26 May, 20095:30pm - 6:30pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29 Charlie Gordan, with an IQ of 80, wants more than anything "to be smart." An experimental brain operation gives him that chance. As his awareness of the world around him increases, Charlie deals with his own awakening emotions and the knowledge that the wondrous beings around him are merely human. Story told in voice.
-----------------------------------------
WOI – Travelers Tales of Ireland with Aoife LorefieldTuesday, 26 May, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29
Tuesdays in May we'll be visiting Ireland as Aoife Lorefield reads from the collection, Travelers' Tales Ireland. If you're familiar with the Travelers' Tales series, you'll know how wonderful these true life essays are: well written, sharply drawn, and evocative. On each of May's four Tuesdays, Aoife will read several tales, choosing from among writers like Frank McCourt, Thomas Cahill, Nuala O'Faolain, and Maeve Binchy. So whether you're longing to get back or have yet to go, join her as she travels through Ireland, reading in voice, with chat in voice or text. All are welcome!
-----------------------------------------
WOI – Shandon Loring with The Secret of Roan Inish in Nantucket (pt 2)Tuesday, 26 May, 20097:00pm - 8:00pm SLTNantucket Theatre, in SL New Englandhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Nantucket/2/177/22 It is the story of the People of the Sea, the selkies or 'seal people'. The book (The Secret of Roan Mor Skerry) is set in Scotland, the movie (The Secret of Roan Inish) was set in Ireland. The characters are charming, the setting beautiful. Story told in voice.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Instructional Tools in Second Life

Second Life Course: Instructional Tools for Second Life
Description: Virtual worlds are proving to be an excellent venue for classes at a distance. But like all forms of class presentation, an instructor needs to know what tools are available and how to make the best use of them. This four week class will introduce students to the educational tools available in the virtual world of Second Life.
Week one - The Basics: text chat, voice, audio streams, and note cards. Week two - Visual Aids: textures, slide shows, video streams, and lag concerns.
Week three - Immersive Environments: learning by doing, role playing, and using the environment as a tool.
Week four - Integration: combining methods and augmenting virtual worlds with Internet resources.
Instructor: S.Thompson (Hypatia Dejavu) and JJ Jacobson (JJ Drinkwater) Audience: Open to anyone interested in learning about instructional tools for virtual worlds. Students should feel comfortable navigating in Second life or have taken Second Life 101.
Dates and times: Thursdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 5:00 - 7:00 PM SL (US Pacific) time
Location: Second Life Cost: $125
Sponsored by the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Alliance Library System of Illinois.
This is a non-credit course. For additional information and to register: http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/VW/tools.html
Marianne Steadley
Continuing Professional Development Program Director
501 E. Daniel St. Champaign IL 61820
217/244-2751
Fax: 217/244-3302

Thursday, May 21, 2009

New leaders on Karuna

Alliance Library System is pleased to announce and to welcome new leaders on Karuna, the National Library of Medicine contract for AIDS outreach and information in Second Life. Jena Ball (Jenaia Morane in sl) has been named Project Coordinator and Robin Ashford (Robin Mochi in sl) has been named Consumer Health Librarian.

Jena Ball is a writer, editor, and educator with an avid interest in how virtual reality is shaping how we see and interact with one another. The founder of The Nature of Writing (www.thenatureofwriting) - a firm specializing in creating custom content for educational purposes (textbooks, online classes, Web sites) - she has penned everything from marketing collateral and syndicated columns to features for national publications. With more than 25 years teaching experience, she has worked with ESL students in Japan, junior and senior high school, junior college, and adult ed students. Jena's most recent projects include: a) Creating customized writing courses for academically challenged teens in Coloradob) Founding the Viirtual Worlds Story Project (www.tvwsp.com) and with it Storybook Islandc) Overseeing the Garden of Experience at Karuna, the HIV/AIDS sim in Second Lifed) Hosting and running Story and Poetry Quests in Second Lifee) Blogging about the ongoing adventures of her intrepid little avatar in Days of Our Second Lives: www.daysofoursecondlives.com. For more information about Jena and her work, please visit: 1. Storybook Island (home of The Virtual Worlds Story Project)2. The Virtual Worlds Story Project: www.tvwsp.com 3. Karuna: http://www.karunasl.info/Information/4. BLOG: Days of Our Second Lives: www.daysofoursecondlives.com5. The Nature of Writing: www.thenatureofwriting.com

Robin Ashford, MSLIS, Reference & Distance Services Librarian, George Fox University (GFU), Portland, Oregon. Robin works primarily with graduate and doctoral students at the Portland Center Library of GFU. Her undergraduate major was in organizational management. She earned her library and information science degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her library experience includes reference service, library instruction, collection management, and administration. Robin volunteered on the Second Life (SL) reference desk of Information Island International for approximately one year and has developed a skydeck for her university community which includes her library office and resources. She connects, shares and collaborates with librarians/educators in SL from around the globe. She recently taught her first credit-bearing course in SL as an adjunct instructor for her university's School of Education. A strong interest in emerging technologies has led Robin to experiment and participate in multi-user virtual worlds, video production and screencasts, social media, augmented reality, spimes and more. Robin Mochi is her avatar's name in Second Life and other virtual worlds. She blogs at http://librarianbydesign.blogspot.com/ and can be found on twitter at http://twitter.com/rashford

For more information, please contact Lori Bell at lbell927@gmail.com

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Share the health project in Second Life now available

“Share the Health: Training People with Disabilities and Chronic Medical Conditions on How to Locate Quality Health Information” Report Available

Alliance Library System is pleased to make the final report for the project “Share the Health” available on the web at http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/pdf09/Sharethehealthfinalreportmay2009.pdf.
This project was funded with a contract from the National Library of Medicine Greater Midwest Region.

“We are very pleased that this project accomplished so much in terms of helping people with disabilities and chronic health conditions learn where to find credible health information and also how to navigate the virtual world of Second Life,” stated Kitty Pope, ALS Executive Director. “Much of this population is homebound and virtual worlds give them the opportunity to experience things they would not otherwise get to do.”

Virtual Ability, the new orientation center for people with these conditions in Second Life, was partially funded through this project. Virtual Ability was a recent co-winner of the prestigious Linden Prize with Studio Wikitecture. There were over 230 entries and this is the first vendor award of its type in virtual worlds.

“The many library services available in Second Life increase it’s utility for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. The resources on HealthInfo Island are particularly pertinent,” stated Alice Krueger, president of Virtual Ability, Inc. “ We were pleased to partner with ALS in developing the intake and new resident orientation facilities on Virtual Ability Island, adjoining HealthInfo Island on the east.”

For more information on this project, please contact Lori Bell at ALS, at lbell@alliancelibrarysystem.com, (309) 694-9200 or Alice Krueger with Virtual Ability, Inc., akrueger@virtualability.org, (303) 400-3306.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Libraries this week in Second Life

The Second Week in May is BUZZING for AVL!

In celebration of AVL's third anniversary we have THREE Library Buzz Sessions scheduled for next week! These Library Buzz Sessions will take place on Info Island. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/96/119/31

May 12th - at 3 PM SLT - Kitty Pope with Alliance Library Systems will lead a session about her series of newsletters, "On a + Note" that goes out to Alliance Library Systems and the libraries it supports. These relevant publications cover positive leadership, crisis management, managing change, and overcoming inaction. Kitty has been given wide acclaim for this series and is presenting soon at a SirsiDynix Institute and at the British Columbia Library Association.

May 13th - at 6 PM SLT - "Thriving in Tough Times" Members of the State Library of Kansas will tell how they put together an interactive wiki to help Kansans through difficult economic times. The creation, promotion and cooperative development of a social service wiki with libraries taking a leadership role will be discussed. The website, "Thriving in Tough Times," was set up in April offering resources in the general areas of Employment & Training, Finances, Housing, Health and Families. State Library staff maintains the site with resources added at national, state and local levels by other librarians, Kansas government agencies and interested individuals. You can view "Thriving in Tough Times" at: http://kslibinfo.wetpaint.com/

May 14th - at 6 PM SLT - Achieving Buy-in From Administrators Panel DiscussionDue to the great response in the email discussion of this topic we've set up a buzz session and invited John2 Kepler, Puglet Dancer, Sonja Morgwain, Leorie Alter, and BlueWings Hayek to lead the discussion on how to approach administrators about having a library or educational presence in Second Life. Please join us for these exciting topics!


Alexandrian Free Library: Caledon, Winterfell, Steelhead, New Toulouse, New Babbage, Amatsu Shima, West of Ireland, Steeltopia, Deadwood, Al Andalus and Constantinople Library Events for May 13 - 19, 2009 Continuing Exhibits:
19th Century Literary Influences on Steampunk, an exhibit at the Steelhead Public LibraryMarch 15 - June 13, 2009Steelhead Public Library http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/123/184/25
Caledon Library 19th Century Spiritualism Exhibit, curated by Mica BraunMay 1st to July 17th, 2009The Jack and Elaine Whitehorn Memorial Library, Caledon Victoria Cityhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/59/196/23

Events of the week:

WOI – Lilia Quinnell with Song of the Pearl Wednesday, 13 May, 2009
5:30pm - 6:30pm SLTWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Irelandhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29 Join Lilia for part 3 of this time travel/fantasy story.
Song of the Pearl by Ruth Nichols: Margaret Redmond, who dies at seventeen, finds that to gain understanding of self and to overcome a deep hatred that has marred her last years she must relive parts of her earlier lives on earth.

Stories will be done in voice.
-----------------------------------------
WOI - Letters thru Time with Gracee Andel
Wednesday, 13 May, 2009
7pm - 8pm West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Irelandhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Gracee will share the letters of 10-year-old Lura Harding as she travels the Oregon Trail in 1850 (conclusion).
----------------------------------------WOI - Shandon Loring - Exploring Realms...
Thursday, 14 May, 2009
7pm - 8pm West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Irelandhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Join Shandon for such tales as: “The Celtic Twilight (by Yeats)”, “Little People”, “The People of the Sea - Journey in search of the Seal Legend”, “Wonder Tales from Scottish Myth and Legend”, “Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland”, “The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies”, etc.

Stories presented in voice.
-----------------------------------------
WOI Storytellers in NantucketSaturday, 16 May, 2009
3:30pm - 4:30pm Where: Nantucket http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nantucket/2/177/22

WOI – WOI Storytellers at Nantucket with Mermaid Stories Saturday, May16, 3:30pm SLT
Nantucket Theatre, SL New England http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nantucket/2/177/22
Join Storytellers Shandon Loring and Derry McMahon for mermaid tales at the lovely Nantucket sim.

Stories will be done in voice.
-----------------------------------------Engines! Aether SalonSunday, 17 May, 2009
2pm - 3:30pm Babbage Palisade, New Babbagehttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Babbage%20Palisade/97/59/105/?title=Aether%20Salon

Spinning cogs and grinding gearspistons loud assault the ears, asIndustry growsand cities riseon the powerour enginessynthesize.

Please gear up to learn about the workhorse of industry, the engine, the inventors who made them faster and better, and their secret inner workings. Should you desire, there will also be tea. Join your fellow gearheads on May 17 at 2pm slt at Aether Salon.
-----------------------------------------
WOI -Simeon Beresford and Puck of Pook's Hill
Sunday, 17 May, 2009
2pm - 3pm West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Irelandhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Today Simeon concludes this lovely story by Rudyard Kipling.
He will be reading in voice.
Puck of Pook's Hill is a children's book by Rudyard Kipling, published in 1906, containing a series of short stories set in different periods of history. The stories are all told to two children living near Pevensey by people magically plucked out of history by Puck.
-----------------------------------------WOI -The Tale of Despereaux with Caledonia SkytowerMonday, 18 May, 2009
7pm - 8pm West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Irelandhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX by Kate DiCamillo (2004 Newberry Medal Winner) In “Book the First: A Mouse is Born” we meet young Despereaux who doesn’t seem to conform to the accepted standards of “mouse-ness”. He loves music, sees colors and words... And he falls in love with a princess. All of which get him banned from his home and family, and his Princess!

Caledonia will be sharing this story in voice.
----------------------------------------By Whitman, Biweekly!Tuesday, 19 May, 2009
4pm - 5pm Caledon Library, on the Hub in Victoria Cityhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/160/117/23

A Discussion led by Dame Kghia Gheardi of the works of Walt Whitman.

Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass is one of the works at the foundations of American poetry. Its expansive attempt to capture the spirit and landscape of the 19th century United States has influenced an entire culture's self-concept, and its rich language continues to inspire readers today as it has for the century and a half of its existence.

"By Whitman, Biweekly" will provide an opportunity to look closely at this beloved work. Each time we'll spend an hour discussing its context and examining the poetry of the 1855 first edition.

The series will also give those who love Leaves of Grass, and those who would like to learn more, an opportunity to explore Whitman's vigorous and heartfelt poetry together.

This week, we will continue our discussion of "Song of Myself," the first poem to Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass." We'll begin with the stanza

"The smoke of my own breath,Echoes, ripples, and buzzed whispers . . . . loveroot, silkthread, crotch and vine,My respiration and inspiration . . . . the beating of my heart . . . . the passing of blood and air through my lungs,The sniff of green leaves and dry leaves, and of the shore and darkcolored sea- rocks, and of hay in the barn,The sound of the belched words of my voice . . . . words loosed to the eddies of the wind,A few light kisses . . . . a few embraces . . . . a reaching around of arms,The play of shine and shade on the trees as the supple boughs wag,The delight alone or in the rush of the streets, or along the fields and hillsides,The feeling of health . . . . the full-noon trill . . . . the song of me rising from bed and meeting the sun. "
----------------------------------------- Literary SalonTuesday, 19 May, 2009
5pm - 6pm Ormsby Hall, Caledon Murdann

Otenth Paderborn will be at home at Ormsby Hall for a literary salon the third Tuesday of each month, 5-6 PM SLT. The subject for February is selections from the writings of William Morris "Hopes and Fears for Art"
----------------------------------------- WOI Gyro Muggins with Flowers for AlgernonTuesday, 19 May, 2009
5.30pm - 6:30pmWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Irelandhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Charlie Gordan, with an IQ of 80, wants more than anything "to be smart." An experimental brain operation gives him that chance. As his awareness of the world around him increases, Charlie deals with his own awakening emotions and the knowledge that the wondrous beings around him are merely human. Story presented in voice.
----------------------------------------
WOI Aoife Lorefield with more Traveler’s Tales of IrelandTuesday, 19 May, 2009
7:00pm - 8:00pm sltWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Irelandhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Tuesdays in May we'll be visiting Ireland as Aoife Lorefield reads from the collection, Travelers' Tales Ireland. If you're familiar with the Travelers' Tales series, you'll know how wonderful these true life essays are: well written, sharply drawn, and evocative. On each of May's four Tuesdays, Aoife will read several tales, choosing from among writers like Frank McCourt, Thomas Cahill, Nuala O'Faolain, and Maeve Binchy. So whether you're longing to get back or have yet to go, join her as she travels through Ireland, reading in voice, with chat in voice or text. All are welcome!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Libraries in Second Life this week

Wednesday, May 6, 6:30pm SLT
Info Island
Hot Topics @ Your Second Life Library
Nudity and Modesty

This month's panel will be discussing the questions of nudity and modesty in Second Life. What's appropriate, what really counts as nudity on a virtual person?
Come as you are.

May 8th and 9th! Library Career Fair and Library Fair!

This two day event will feature exhibits from libraries in Second Life and a full day of Library Career Fair speakers and activities on May 8th followed by presentations by SL and RL libraries on May 9th. Please plan to join us! Schedule below -

Second Life LIS Student Union Career Fair: Carpe Calamitas! Networking Librarians, Students, Employers and Recruiters Friday May 8, 2009 - Noon to 7 PM SLT
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Infotainment%20Island/98/69/31
Noon-2 pm SLT: Orientation sessions for new avatars
2-3 pm SLT: Opening Keynote Speaker: Kitty Pope, Executive-Director of AVL, on kicking off the month-long celebration of AVL’s Third Anniversary in Second Life. Additionally, other speakers will be addressing survival skills for getting a job in a bad economy.
3-4 pm SLT: Research mini-conference presentations by students on their Second Life interface studies.
4-5 pm SLT: Panel of recruiters and employers: “What are employers looking for in today's media-rich Web 2.0 information environments?”
5-7 pm SLT: Social Networking Party mixer for Career Fair and Library Fair participants and friends with DJ Gwen Carillon, dancing and music. Questions? PM Melanie Twine.

Alliance Virtual Library Library Fair Saturday, May 9th 2009Noon to 6 PM SLT http://slurl.com/secondlife/Infotainment%20Island/156/151/32 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm SLT"Libraries and Innovation in Second Life"Lori Bell (RL) Lorelei Junot (SL)Alliance Virtual Library
1 pm - 1:45 pm SLT"Growing a Community Library; Lessons from the Field"Micki McIntyre (RL) Derry McMahon (SL)West of Ireland Library and Cultural Center
2 pm - 2:45 pm SLT"Supporting and Promoting Ingenuity"Joanne Brothers (RL) Vienna James (SL)RezLibris
3 pm - 3:45 SLT"SL Library Instruction: A Work in Progress"P. Charles Livermore (RL) Hopalong Oh (SL)St. John's University Libraries
4 pm SLT - 6 PM SLTExhibits & Networking Contacts for Library Fair - Beth Kraemer (SL: Alice Burgess) kraemer@email.uky.edu and Rhonda Trueman (SL: Abbey Zenith) abbeyzen@gmail.com.

Alexandrian Free Library: Caledon, Winterfell, Steelhead, New Toulouse, New Babbage, Amatsu Shima, West of Ireland, Steeltopia, Deadwood, Al Andalus and Constantinople
Library Events for May 6 - 12, 2009
Continuing Exhibits: 19th Century Literary Influences on Steampunk, an exhibit at the Steelhead Public LibraryMarch 15 - June 13, 2009Steelhead Public Libraryhttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/123/184/25
Caledon Library 19th Century Spiritualism Exhibit, curated by Mica BraunMay 1st to July 17th, 2009The Jack and Elaine Whitehorn Memorial Library, Caledon Victoria City
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/59/196/23
Join us, whether from the earthly realm or The Beyond, to explore the subject of Spiritualism…Spiritualism is looked on variously as a science, a philosophy and a religion: a science that attempts to investigate, analyze and classify facts and manifestations of spirits; a philosophy that studies what it defines as Laws of Nature, both of the seen and the unseen sides of life and bases its conclusions upon observation; and a religion for its striving to understand and comply with physical, mental and spiritual laws that govern the human condition. Covering such topics as mediumship, spirit photography and séances, this exhibit considers Spiritualism as a complex subject, from its distinctly Victorian flourishing in the lives of such eminent 19th c figures as Arthur Conan Doyle and WB Yeats, to its continuing popularity today.This exhibit is offered to the spiritually minded citizens of Caledon by Miss Mica Braun of the Caledon Library, for their enjoyment and edification.Events of the week: WOI - Lilia Quinnell with The Song of the Pearl (pt 4)
Wednesday, 6 May 20095:30pm - 6:30pmWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29Lilia concludes the Song of the Pearl by Ruth Nichols: Margaret Redmond, who dies at seventeen, finds that to gain understanding of self and to overcome a deep hatred that has marred her last years she must relive parts of her earlier lives on earth. Join us to see how this very interesting story ends. Story read in voice.
Winterfell Library - Aianna's Fireside TalesWednesday, 6 May 20096pm - 7pmBard's Bonfire, Winterfell Taure En Lor
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell/21/222/23"Here is where the dragon roams,The faerie plays, the gnome hides.Across the centuries, from far to home,Here is where the magic abides!" Join us every other Wednesday at 6 PM SLT on Bard's Island in Winterfell as Aianna reads to us magical tales.April 8th - That Explains Poland - Charles de LintApril 22nd - Romano Drom - Charles de LintJune 6th - The Sacred Fire - Charles de LintJune 20th - Winter Was Hard - Charles de Lint
WOI - Letters thru Time with Gracee AndelWednesday, 6 May 20097pm - 8pmWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29
Gracee will share the letters of 10-year-old Lura Harding as she travels the Oregon Trail in 1850. (Part 2 of 2). Stories told in voice.
WOI - Irish Hero Tales with Shandon LoringThursday, 7 May, 20097pm - 8pmWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29
Join Shandon for stories of the heroes of ancient Ireland. He'll choose from such selections as: “Gods & Fighting Men”, “Hero Tales of Ireland”, “Cuchulain of Muirthemne”, “Beside the Fire”, “Heroic Romances of Ireland”, etc. Come and see what is up tonight! Stories told in voice.
Caledon Library - Wind in the Willows Listening Party Chapter Five: Dulce DomumSaturday, May 9th 10am-11am SLTTinyville Library, Caledon Tanglewood http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Tanglewood/23/214/23/
Come as a character from Kenneth Grahame's novel, The Wind in the Willows, and join us as we listen to, and discuss, a new chapter each month of the adventures of the shy but loyal Mole, the poetical Water Rat, the brave Otter, the gruff but kindly Mr. Badger, the vainglorious Toad, and all the other creatures of wood, stream, and field who populate this much-loved story.This month, the story continues as Mole, returning from day's outing with Rat, is suddenly overcome with nostalgia as he hears the call for his old home, "Mole End". The two visit and light the place up in time to receive the visit of the neighborhood Field Mice, who have come a carolling.Big People may join us in Tinyville, or repose in comfort at the Oxbridge Library in Caledon Oxbridge
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge/196/96/24
Those who can't be with us in-world are invited to tune in at http://music.radioriel.org This is a year-long series, the second Saturday of each month, 2009. Sponsored by the Caledon Library and Rachelville, and produced by Radio Riel. Schedule* Jan 10: The River Bank* Feb 14: The Open Road* March 14: The Wild Wood* April 11: Mr. Badger* May 9: Dulce Domum* June 13: Mr. Toad* July 11: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn* Aug 8: Toad's Adventures* Sept 12: Wayfarers All* Oct 10: The Further Adventures of Toad* Nov 14: Like Summer Tempests came his Tears* Dec 12: The Return of Ulysses* Jan 9, 2010: All Day Programming of the entire Caledon Library - Lecture on the folkloric elements in Wind in the WillowsSaturday, May 9th 11am -12pm SLTTinyville Library, Caledon Tanglewood
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Tanglewood/23/214/23/
Join us as Folklorist Afsaneh Metaluna explores the folkloric elements, motifs, and references in Grahame's world. Big People may join us in Tinyville, or repose in comfort at the Oxbridge Library in Caledon Oxbridge
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge/196/96/24
Those who can't be with us in-world are invited to tune in at http://music.radioriel.org
WOI - Elegia Underwood with Dragon Tales!
Sunday 10 May, 20092pm - 3pmWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29Join us as our friend Elegia relates lovely dragon stories!! Stories told in voice.
WOI - The Conclusion of Charlotte's Web with Caledonia SkytowerMonday, 11 May, 20097pm - 8pmWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29
Life, Friendship, Love and growing up all come together for Fern, Wilbur, and Charlotte in the final chapters of “Charlotte’s Web.” Story told in voice.
WOI - Gyro Muggins with "Miss Prinks"Tuesday, 12 May, 20095:30pm - 6:30pmWest of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29
Miss Prinks 30min by Gordon DicksonA humorous look at a spinster's encounter with a being from another dimension. "Miss Lydia Prinks was somebody's aunt. Not the aunt of several somebodies, but the aunt of one person only and with no other living brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, or nieces to her name. A sort of singleton aunt. It would be possible to describe her further, but it would not be in good taste." After her encounter with the alien her "condition" as the alien puts it, is "improved," but certainly not the way she expected. Story told in voice.
WOI – Travels in Ireland with Aoife LorefieldTuesday, 12 May, 20097pm - 8pmWhere: West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29
Tuesdays in May we'll be visiting Ireland as Aoife Lorefield reads from the collection, Travelers' Tales Ireland. If you're familiar with the Travelers' Tales series, you'll know how wonderful these true life essays are: well written, sharply drawn, and evocative. On each of May's four Tuesdays, Aoife will read several tales, choosing from among writers like Frank McCourt, Thomas Cahill, Nuala O'Faolain, and Maeve Binchy. So whether you're longing to get back or have yet to go, join her as she travels through Ireland, reading in voice, with chat in voice or text.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Alliance Virtual Library one of top ten Linden Prize Finalists for Innovation in Second Life

Alliance Virtual Library, coordinated by the Alliance Library System and staffed by hundreds ofvolunteers from all over the world, has been named as oneof 10 finalists for the Linden Prize which will be announced on April 30.

For more information on the award and the finalists, check out this url:https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/features/blog/2009/04/23/announcing-the-finalists-for-the-linden-prize

Linden Lab received over 230 applications for the award from all over the worldwhich illustrate creative and diverse uses of the virtual world of Second Life, with compelling impact that is both broad and deep. The winner will receive a $10,000 US dollars prize. The award is for an innovative inworld project that improves the way people work, learn and communicate in their daily lives outside of the virtual world. The award is intended to align with Linden Lab’s company mission–to connect all people to an online world that advances the human condition. For more information contact Lori Bell at ALS, lbell@alliancelibrarysystem.com.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Alexandrian Free Library Events, April 21-28, 2009

Alexandrian Free Library: Caledon, Winterfell, Steelhead, New Toulouse, New Babbage, Amatsu Shima, West of Ireland, Steeltopia, Deadwood, Al Andalus & Constantinople Library Events for April 20-28 2009


New Series at the Caledon Library!
Folklore of the British Isles with Afsaneh Metaluna
3rd Mondays, 4pm

Inaugural lecture, Mon, April 20, 4pm – 5pm
Tinyville Library, Tinyville, Caledon Tanglewood
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Tanglewood/23/214/23/

Folklorist Afsenah Metaluna will guide us in a new exploration each month; with illustrative stories and her own commentary she'll expose to our understanding some facet of the rich and varied folklore of the British Isles. In the Storyteller's Own Words…
"Rather than a repository of Märchen (wonder tales more or less of the "Grimm's" variety) much of the folklore of England is comprised of local legends that combine references to beliefs and customs and aspects of daily life, particularly rural life. This is contrasted with English ballads and broadsides, which have a strong tradition of their own, as well as the folklore around customs, dance and belief. The wonder tales exist too, though more in the Celtic regions."

This month, to get us started, she will tell and comment on short tales from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, plus "The Apple Tree Man" a legend that, she says "deals with customs as well as systems of land tenure and inheritance, making it a kind of microcosm of the strength of English narrative lore."
-------------------------------------------------

WOI – Charlotte’s Web with Caledonia Skytower
Monday – April 20 @ 7pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Part One: One of the most beloved works by a prodigious and beloved author. Fern becomes the passionate advocate for the “runt of the litter” pig she names “Wilbur”, and thus begins a miraculous friendship that transforms them both. All stories are presented in Voice
----------------------------------------

WOI - Dandelion Wine with Gyro Muggins
Tuesday – April 21 @ 5.30pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Join us as Gyro reads "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury
Green Town, Illinois
"There was a junkman who saved lives.
"There was a pair of sneakers that could make you run faster than a deer.
"There was a human time machine.
"There was a wax witch that could tell real fortunes.
"There was a man who almost wrecked happiness by building a happiness machine.
"AND there was a twelve-year old boy, named Douglas Spalding, who found himself very much at home in this extraordinary world."

All stories are presented in Voice.
--------------------------------------------

WOI – The Bat Poet by Randall Jarrell with Aoife Lorefield
Tuesday – April 21 @ 7pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

This lovely tale introduces––yes!––a bat who writes poetry. Discover this story as Aoife reads the poems, and some of the prose, of this small, brown, furry, thoughtful bat.

All stories are presented in Voice.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Winterfell Library - Aianna's Fireside Tales
Wed, April 22, 6pm – 7pm
Bard's Bonfire, Winterfell Taure En Lor
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell/21/222/23

"Here is where the dragon roams,
The faerie plays, the gnome hides.
Across the centuries, from far to home,
Here is where the magic abides!"

Join us every other Wednesday at 6 PM SLT on Bard's Island in Winterfell as Aianna reads to us magical tales. This week she reads "Romano Drom" by Charles de Lint. All stories are presented in Voice

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WOI – The Song of the Pearl with Lilia Quinnell
Wednesday – April 22 @ 7pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Join us for part 2 of this book, the story of Margaret Redmond, who dies at seventeen, and finds that to gain understanding of self and to overcome a deep hatred that has marred her last years she must relive parts of her earlier lives on earth. All stories are presented in Voice.
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WOI – Ghosts and Haunts with Shandon Loring
Thursday – April 23 @ 7pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Tonight: The Four-Fifteen Express by Amelia B. Edwards. What is a ghost? A disembodied spirit? A personality 'residue'? A time image? A time image - hmmmmm..... Thought waves which have become impregnated in the woodwork, the very atmosphere, and can be transformed into the likeness of their dead creator.

All stories are presented in Voice.
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WOI – Sunday Stories with Gyro Muggins
Sunday – April 26 @ 2pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

The Piper and the Puca by Douglas Hyde
A half fool of a man who loved music but could never master more than one tune has an encounter with a Puca who takes him one night to a Banshee's feast. There the Puca introduces the man as "the best piper in Ireland"...

The Pudding Bewitched by William Carleton
A good, or possibly not so good, Catholic woman marries a "Prosbytarian," thereby rousing the ire of one of her uncles, a fairy-bewitched tinker. He puts a curse on them which manifests itself in the form of a "bewitched pudding" which leads most of the town thru a merry chase across the countryside.

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WOI – Charlotte’s Web (pt 2) with Caledonia Skytower
Monday – April 27 @ 7pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Part Two: As Wilbur gets settled down at Zuckerman’s farm, his ultimate fate as a pig becomes an issue, and he meets a new and amazing friend who brings him insight and wisdom, as their two lives become wrapped together. Come and discover the many mysteries in Charlotte’s web!

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Whitman Weekly
A Discussion led by Dame Kghia Gheardi of the works of Walt Whitman
Tuesday, April 28 at 4pm SLT
Caledon Library, on the Hub in Victoria City
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/160/117/23

Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass is one of the works at the foundations of American poetry. Its expansive attempt to capture the spirit and landscape of the 19th century United States has influenced a culture, and its rich language continues to inspire readers today as it has for the century and a half of its existence.

Whitman Weekly will provide an opportunity to look closely at this beloved work. Each week we'll spend an hour discussing its context and examining the poetry of the the 1855 first edition.

The series will also give those who love Leaves of Grass, and those who would like to learn more, an opportunity to explore Whitman's vigorous and heartfelt poetry together.

April 28 - Preface (http://tinyurl.com/log-preface) including Whitman's charge to American poets

" The American poets are to enclose old and new for America is the race of races. Of them a bard is to be commensurate with a people. To him the other continents arrive as contributions . . . he gives them reception for their sake and his own sake. His spirit responds to his country's spirit . . . . he incarnates its geography and natural life and rivers and lakes."

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WOI – And He Built a Crooked House with Gyro Muggins
Tuesday – April 28 @ 5:30pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

This story by Robert Heinlein is a tongue-in-cheek look at architecture and mathematics gone wrong. In the 1940's architect builds a house based on a 3 Dimensional representation of a 4th Dimensional cube. It seems fine until a slight tremor collapses the house into the more stable state of a real 4th Dimensional cube, with the occupants still in it.
All stories are presented in Voice.

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WOI – The Sonnets of Shakespeare with Aoife Lorefield
Tuesday – April 28 @ 7pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

As we approach the explosion of Spring and festival of love that is May Day, who better to read than Shakespeare? Tonight Aoife will read some of the sonnets we all love, and perhaps a few you may not have heard in a while.

Presented in Voice.

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WOI – The Awful Truth Behind Mother Goose with Gracee Andel
Wednesday – April 29 @ 7pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29

Learn what was behind those 'silly childhood rhymes' that were actually full of people, politics and intrigue. (By popular demand, a repeat of an earlier performance.)
All stories are presented in Voice.

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gentlebeings, your servant

JJ Drinkwater

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Events from the Alexandrian Free Library Consortium

Greetings and Salutations!  

The Alexandrian Free Library consortium is composed of Libraries that have been created within the virtual world that is Second Life, to serve communities that have organized themselves there. The collections, policies, and events of each member library is determined by the social and cultural profile of the community it serves. One such community and library are described in Chapter 9 of Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries, "Virtual Neighborhoods, Real Communities," which describes the Library of Caledon.

The current member libraries serve the communities of Caledon, Winterfell, Steelhead, New Toulouse, Babbage, Amatsu Shima, West of Ireland, Steeltopia, Deadwood, and Al Andalus, and will soon be joined by the new and compendious Library of Constantinople

Most weeks, I'll be posting a list of AlexLib events here, including book discussions, listening parties, story hours, storytelling sessions, lectures and exhibit openings. The readers of this blog are most cordially invited to join us in our literary frolickings and sundry cultural diversions.  To start off this week, I wish to highlight 5 or 6 very special events

gentlebeings, your servant

JJ Drinkwater
Librarian of Caledon

~~

Story Session at the Falling Anvil - Spring Goes Sproing
Mon, April 13, 5pm – 8pm
The Falling Anvil Public House , Caledon Tamrannoch
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Tamrannoch/230/108/22

Spring has come! Flowers bloom, bees buzz, we clean our houses, dens and caves in the spirit of "out with the old and in with the new." Join us with your stories of all that is refreshed and renewed.
The Storytelling Sessions at Caledon's beloved Anvil are one of the the longest-running story night traditions in Second Life. Once every season we gather to celebrate, tell old and new stories, and enjoy each others company.  All are welcome, whether to tell a tale or listen.
Hosted by Master Storyteller Aldo Stern, and sponsored by the Caledon Library and the Clan of Seafarers and Storytellers

~~

Caledon Library's Whitman Weekly Discussion Series
led by Kghia Gherardi
Week 2, The Preface to L
eaves of Grass
Tuesday April 15, 4pm SLT
Caledon Library, on the Hub in Victoria City
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/160/117/23


Walt Whitman's
Leaves of Grass is one of the works at the foundations of American poetry. Its expansive attempt to capture the spirit and landscape of the 19th century United States has influenced a culture, and its rich language continues to inspire readers today as it has for the century and a half of its existence.
Whitman Weekly provides an opportunity to look closely at this beloved work: each week we spend an hour discussing its context and examining the poetry of the the 1855 first edition.The series also gives those who love
Leaves of Grass and those who would like to learn more an opportunity to explore Whitman's vigorous and heartfelt poetry together.
This week, we will discuss the preface to the work, which addresses the reader in Whitman's characteristically exuberant, straightforward, and singing prose. A copy may be found in the aether at
http://tinyurl.com/log-preface

~~

Deadwood Library's Lena Kjeller Memorial Lecture Series
Truth and Lies in the Pioneer Press: How the West was Worded
April 19, 2009, 1:00 PM SLT
The Dakota Theater/Deadwood Memorial Library, Deadwood 1876
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Phoenix%20Pass/215/155/655


Join the editor of the Deadwood sim's newspaper, plus Wild Bill Hickok and Doc Holliday, for a talk and slideshow about concepts of truth in frontier journalism. The editor, Poohneil "Neil" Streeter, whose typist interprets a 19th Century newspaper publisher in living history events, has helped with other volunteers to publish more than 50 issues of an 1870s newspaper for the Deadwood sim since February 2008. He will discuss how concepts of truth changed during the evolution of newspapers in the 19th century. Hickok and Holliday will talk both about how they used the press - and were used by the press - in their day.
This is the inaugural presentation in the Deadwood Library's Lena Kjeller Memorial Lecture Series. The series is named after the Deadwood Library's founder whose typist died earlier this year. Following the talk, at about 2:00 PM, a plaque in the Deadwood Memorial Library will be dedicated in memory of Lena and her typist.
All Second Life residents and guests, particularly those with an interest in virtual libraries and immersion learning experiments, are cordially invited to attend both the lecture and the dedication ceremony. The Deadwood Memorial Library is located in the modern part of the sim so 19th Century dress, while encouraged, is not required. Please address any questions to Diogenes Kuhr or to Deadwood Library Director Blitzer Renfold.

~~

Babbage Aether Salon presents Submersibles!
Sunday, April 19 at 2 pm slt
Babbage Palisade
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Babbage%20Palisade/97/59/105/

Stealth and suprise. Danger in the depths. Harnessing the power of a submersible means being able to approach an enemy undetected, even by the keenest eyes. Nations that control the seas take warning - below the surface, your enemies approach, and the battlefield is changed forever.
This month, Aether Salon will examine early submersibles, their impact on the development of the diverse technologies and influence on warfare. There will, of course, also be cake, conversation, and an eye-popping craft to follow.
Joining us will be Mr. Jasper Kiergarten of New Babbage and Armada, who has rebuilt the CSS Hunley in sharp detail. For a broader view, Commodore O'Toole of the Fleet of Wrath Exiles will provide a survey of US Civil-War era submersibles and semi-submersibles from the 'mystery sub' of New Orleans through the Union Navy's ill-fated Alligator boat.
Hold your breath and prepare to dive in to this most interesting and technical topic.

~~

Puck of Pook’s Hill with Simeon Beresford
Sunday – April 19 @ 2pm
West of Ireland Library & Cultural Center, West of Ireland
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/44/157/29


Puck of Pook's Hill is a children's book by Rudyard Kipling, published in 1906, containing a series of short stories set in different periods of history. The stories are all told to two children living near Pevensey by people magically plucked out of history by Puck. All stories are presented in Voice

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Steelhead Public Library Steampunk Discussion Series
Clockwork Dolls & Mechanical Turks: Exploring Victorian Automata
Sunday, April 19, 6pm slt
Steelhead Public Library
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/118/208/24


The amazing developments in engineering during the Victorian age gave rise to much speculation about further possibilities. Among these was the belief that mechanical men and animals were just around the corner. What actual scientific developments gave rise to novels like The Steamman of the Plains? Why were people so ready to believe in frauds such as The Amazing Mechanical Turk? Please join us as Mr Bartleby Kidd discusses Victorian experiments in robotics.

~~

Introducing a New Series at the Caledon Library!
Folklore of the British Isles with Afsaneh Metaluna
3rd Mondays, 4pm

Inaugural lecture, Mon, April 20, 4pm – 5pm
Tinyville Library, Tinyville, Caledon Tanglewood
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Tanglewood/23/214/23/


Folklorist Afsenah Metaluna will guide us in a new exploration each month; with illustrative stories and her own commentary she'll expose to our understanding some facet of the rich and varied folklore of the British Isles. In the Storyteller's Own Words…
"Rather than a repository of Märchen (wonder tales more or less of the "Grimm's" variety) much of the folklore of England is comprised of local legends that combine references to beliefs and customs and aspects of daily life, particularly rural life. This is contrasted with English ballads and broadsides, which have a strong tradition of their own, as well as the folklore around customs, dance and belief. The wonder tales exist too, though more in the Celtic regions."
This month, to get us started, she will tell and comment on short tales from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, plus "The Apple Tree Man" a legend that, she says "deals with customs as well as systems of land tenure and inheritance, making it a kind of microcosm of the strength of English narrative lore."

~~

Monday, April 6, 2009

2nd annual Virtual Worlds, libraries, education and museum conference

Virtual Worlds Libraries, Education, and Musuems Conference
The technology of virtual worlds is opening up new possibilities for students and lifelong learners. Many experts say we are moving from the era of the two-dimensional page to the era of three-dimensional virtual worlds. The second annual Virtual Worlds: Libraries, Education and Museums Conference provides a gathering place for librarians, information professionals, educators, museologists, and others to learn about and discuss the educational, informational, and cultural opportunities of virtual worlds. The conference will be held on April 24-25, 2009. For more information and to register, go to the conference website at http://www.alliancelibraries.info/virtualworlds/index.html. Registration is $49 and helps cover costs for the operation of Alliance Virtual Library in Second Life.

Keynote speakers include Jeremy Kemp, San Jose State University; Anders Gronstedt of the Gronstedt Group; and Bryan Carter, University of Central Missouri. Please contact Tom Peters at tapinformatoin@yahoo.com for more information.
Conference sponsors are Alliance Library System, TAP Information Services, and Learning Times.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

"Real Librarians in Virtual Worlds" CIL 2009

Lori Bell and Rhonda Trueman to Speak at Computers in Libraries 2009!

From Computers in Libraries 2009 Advanced Conference Program:

"Libraries have been in virtual worlds for 3 years, and there are new worlds appearing every day. What are different types of libraries doing in those worlds? How is it different from traditional libraries and library web services? How have services changed in 3 years? What is coming up? What is the future? What do libraries need to be ready for? This overview of what libraries are doing in virtual worlds looks at the past and the present and provides predictions for the future for libraries and librarians in virtual worlds. "

If you are planning to attend CIL 2009, please attend this presentation on April 1st and the book signing on March 30th!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Virtual Worlds and Libraries Seminar

Virtual Worlds and Libraries Seminar
In this seminar survey course we will explore a variety of virtual worlds and how libraries and library-related organizations are (or can be) active and effective in these worlds. We will examine virtual worlds designed for children, tween, teens, and adults. Existing, emerging, and planned virtual worlds will be covered. Throughout the course we will discuss the types of information needs evident or possible in these worlds, how libraries and library-related organizations can design and deliver content, services, environments, and information experiences to meet these needs, and the overall possibilities and trends for libraries and other public-good institutions in virtual worlds.

Instructor: Tom Peters (Maxito Ricardo)
Audience: Open to anyone interested in discussing the intersection of libraries and virtual worlds. This course will be condcuted in a seminar format.
Dates and times: March 4, 11, 18, 25 from 5:00-7:00 pm SL (US Pacific) time Location: OPAL meeting room (OPAL - Online Programming for all Libraries)Cost: $125
Go here to register: http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/VW/seminar.html

Course Technology The two-hour synchronous sessions will meet online in an OPAL meeting room. Details will be provided prior to class start date. Participants will need a reliable Internet connection via DSL or cable.If you have questions, contact Marianne Steadley, 217.244.2751 or steadley@illinois.edu.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Working with a class in Second Life

Working With a Class in Second Life
Join Dr. Bryan Carter (Bryan Mnemonic) in this course created to help librarians and educators learn how to work with a class in Second Life including hardware and software requirements, orientation, faculty and student mindset change, establishing course objectives, finding and creating content, creating meaningful projects, evaluating student work, action learning, grants, managing a sim-island, and collaborative opportunities.Week One: Setting up a class in Second LifeWeek Two: The Pedagogy of Second LifeWeek Three: Student ProjectsWeek Four: Managing a Project/Sim Audience: Open to librarians and educators interested in using Second Life for educational purposes. Students must feel comfortable navigating in Second Life. This is not a basic Second Life course.
Dates and times: Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, 23 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm SL (US Pacific) time
Wednesdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27 from 5:00-7:00 pm SL (US Pacific) time
Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (US Pacific) timeLocation: Second LifeCost: $150
Register here: http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/VW/class.html