REAL LIBRARIES IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

Thousands of librarians, library science students, and want-to-be librarians are creating real libraries in Second Life Virtual Worlds. Library aficionados have abundant opportunities to interact socially and professionally with like-minded avatars at parties, dances, book talks, streamed readings, and other events. Info-Island is a popular destination for many librarians . The virtual libraries provide real-life services, such as reference desks where questions about Second Life, history, literature, and other subjects are answered by real librarians represented by avatars. Patrons can “check out” collections of electronic books, movies, and web sites. Libraries are sometimes based on real-world libraries and sometimes are complete works of fantasy. They are often related to the themes of the worlds, or islands, in which they reside, such as a Wild West town. Most librarian avatars are volunteers, but a few are paid by groups such as the Alliance Library System . The social network of librarians in Second Life is growing by leaps and bounds as a younger generation of technology-savvy librarians takes over the dusty libraries of the past.