Visiting Virtual Libraries

Today's webcast helped me get a better understanding of the virtual world, in particular Second Life. I wasn't sure what a library would look like in SL, or even what SL looked like. Unfortunately, because of security issues, my tech guys weren't able to install Second Life onto my computer. I am a little saddened by this because I am itching to see what all the buzz is about. Kelly Czarnecki and Matt Gullet's presentation today cleared up some lingering questions for me. I now know what SL looks like and how libraries are using the social space. I'm still unsure of some of the products being pushed - such as virtual books, but I think I am getting a much better understanding. Still though, for the time-being I think that SL libraries are more suited to public libraries and school libraries, where the population is more aimed toward popular culture and there's a larger youth base.

I think it would be interesting to look around SL a little bit more to really get a feel for it. I also wonder what our user population thinks of SL. What an interesting thought...