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

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.

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

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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.

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

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

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.