Game Night: Second Life

What is Second Life?  I had no idea until last Wednesday night.  My Libraries 2.0 class had game night which helped me explore Second Life.  What is all the buzz about Second Life?  After hearing brief conversations about Second Life, I was curious to explore this game.  I set up my avatar and decided to explore.  I had a mission!  I wanted to find librarians and see how libraries present information in the virtual environment.  Despite a clunky beginning, in no time, I found the scared Information Island.  One complaint I often heard about Second Life is the lack of people.  My experience confirmed the quiet nature of the Second Life world.  However, I came across a happening university library.  A reference librarian staffed the library and I had a very brief encounter.  I managed to ask her how many reference questions she encounters on a daily basis.  She said that it is typical to everyday reference:  some days many, other days not so much.  I wanted to ask some many more questions, but the library was busy.  So part one of my mission accomplished:  I found someone, and a librarian at that, to chat with.  As for types of information available on Second Life, I actually found a special library with patent information, tips on how to use library catalogs and subject guides.  I am thankful for the opportunity to explore these tools. 

Interesting side note:  The next day I received an email about a course called,”Libraries and Immersive Learning in 3D Virtual Environments,” offered by by the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.  This course is exploring Second Life as one of the 3d environments.  Though the class is already in progress, the fact that these types of courses are taking place is interesting.  For more information, check out this link.