Library Revolution

Can someone please answer a very dumb question I have about Second Life?

Why are there so many chairs? 

I guess I’m just showing my complete lack of understanding, but I really wonder that. I mean, I was just exploring a little in SL and couldn’t get over the number of places there were to sit. Funny thing is, I am feeling pretty comfortable in my recliner right now. My little avatar isn’t tired in the least.

I guess I still don’t get it…

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As you may or may not know by now, I’m still not entirely sold on Second Life. That isn’t to say I don’t think there isn’t a future in 3-D virtual worlds - quite the contrary. But I still think the primary incentive for getting involved in SL projects is to prepare ourselves for the next “next big thing” to grow out of them.

So I was interested to take a peek at this slideshow and the video clips in it…  take a peek!!! And look at the accompanying article, too.)

It seems that I’m not alone in my sneaking suspicion that 3-D online worlds are here to stay.

(Of course, there are still some things that totally baffle me about the way these virtual environments are being used… but I think that’s a post for another day…..)

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Here I am in beautiful San Jose, and I can see San Jose State from my hotel room window. How appropriate, then, that I saw this video today!

I have had very mixed feelings on Second Life in LibraryWorld… but I must admit this looks like a really great effort. And I love the video itself.

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Many librarians who have been in the ‘biz for a while ask me the very valid question of why they should bother becoming involved in social networking outlets…

They’ve been there, done that, tried new things with enthusiasm only to see technologies, trends, interfaces and applications come and go. They’ve invested themselves into learning new things, and they’ve lived to regret committing themselves to what turned out to be transitional technologies or even passing fads.

So why jump on the social bandwagon now by getting involved with MySpace et al, Wikis, Blogging, YouTube, Twitter, Second Life, and so on? If they’re not already “so five minutes ago,” won’t they be soon?

Maybe. Probably. Certainly, in the case of specific communities and software applications. But we should get involved nonetheless.

Do I think Second Life is going to be here forever? No way. But I applaud the efforts of the info island folks and all of the other library and education initiatives going on there. By trying something new (and fun, really!) they are opening their minds to possibilities that have yet to be invented or programmed. And they’re bringing new ideas into the professional conversation.

BTW: Here I am…. I’m not too artistic, but I think she looks like me. Almost. But several pounds lighter.

Here are my top 5 reasons for getting involved in whatever trends we can, even if it amounts only to learning about it, trying it once, and moving on:

1. It will help build your confidence to try something new and experiment. The main barrier to trying new things that I sense in library staff is a lack of confidence. Try something new now, and feed off of your own success!
2. Some of these fads are likely to “stick” in one way or another, right? Or at least elements will live on in new incarnations. When that happens, we’ll be ready to integrate the enduring elements more effectively because we’re already familiar with them.
3. You will build a knowledge base and transferable skills to be used when the next “next big thing” comes around. Sort of similar to # 2… but here I mean it will be easier to learn a completely new technology or interface when it rolls around if you already have a skill set developed using another interface. (Which relates to #1!)
4. You can engage in intelligent conversations with other information professionals about the trends in our field. This is not a small reason. I often encounter other library professionals who can’t easily converse about the trends in their own profession. Embarrassing for them, discouraging for me.
5. Ideas often come from unexpected places… and people. The “next big thing” in your library just might be born out of your involvement in otherwise passing trends.

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