My Upcoming Activities at CAL '08

Gearing up for several events at the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) Annual Conference has me speeding around in a blur!

Besides collaborating on a presentation for the conference (Everybody Needs a Second Life!) with Eileen Dumas of the Aurora Public Library, we are preparing a proposal to the CAL board to start a Second Life Interest Group (SLIG). The general buzz behind the scenes sounds good, so we are very hopeful. Eileen and I are starting a new model for a Second Life library - a state association backed library! As far as we know, there are no other state library associations out there owning their own virtual world library. Also, within Second Life, our library is a new concept. The Sustainable Living Library will focus on all things 'green' and sustainability. While there is one sim in SL focused on the environment, and various exhibits scattered around, there is no one library focused on sustainable living.

If the Interest Group is formed, CAL will be partnering with the Alliance Library System of Illinois and TAP Information Services, a library consulting firm from Missouri. CAL, Alliance, and TAP will be working together to form the Emerald City sim, and entire island in Second Life devoted to all things 'green'. The Sustainable Living Library will find it's home on Emerald City, and will be the main library on the sim.

Exciting prospect!

While in Denver, I will also be participating in the inaugural "CAL Leadership Institute" (CALLI). 25 CAL members were chosen for this year long institute; sessions will be held in person and virtually. Wo0T! This makes it possible for participants like me in a rural area (8 hours away from Denver) to attend and benefit. The first session begins the day before the conference. Looking forward to learning and meeting all my fellow CALLI members!

And if that ain't enough, I'm actually going to have to squeeze in attendance at the various conference sessions... lol

CAL's Durango Days 2008 - Second Life @ Your Library

Lights were dimmed, chairs were adjusted, and the fun began! In a little over an hour, fellow librarians and I explored the basics of the virtual world Second Life, as well as the role of Libraries in SL. This great group asked a lot of questions and stimulated some good conversations.



This presentation also turned out to be my first "paid" gig. Upon registering, I received my nametag and an envelope containing a Starbucks gift card! Thanks, CAL, this is really a treat.


Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, or are interested in joining us to create a Colorado Library presence in Second Life. You can view my presentation slideshow on Slideshare.

2008 Durango Days - Second Life @ Your Library

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Slide Show of Second Life Presentation

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Second Life Presentation

I presented an introduction to Second Life to the Southwest CO Librarian's group on Tuesday. There were twelve librarians in attendance, and I enjoyed presenting very much! They all seemed interested in SL, and asked great questions.

I gave an overview of what Second Life is, and then spoke about things librarians can do in SL. We then did an in-world demo (and got logged out by a sim reboot just as we were starting to dance with another avatar!), and I wrapped up with some real life statistics on Second Life.

All in all, I was pleased with the presentation and how it went. Nervous beforehand turned into an adrenaline rush afterwards which lingered 'til I went to bed. :)