Halloween is on Friday (!) - my very favorite holiday. At the library where I work, we are allowed to dress up for Halloween (within reason, of course - nothing crazy). So, happily, I will be going as one of my favorite children's literature characters - Amelia Bedelia! At least, during the daytime. (At night I'm going to convert the costume into a zombie maidservant. . . Beware! : ) )
But I thought I'd post about it, since it's maybe slightly a little bit library- / book-related. . .
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Second Life - ALA Island
Because this is a technology class, I figure should probably talk about it at least a little bit in my blog. : )
This week in my email I received my weekly American Libraries Direct e-mail (Yay! I'm a member of ALA now) and of course it was very informative and interesting as usual. But every week (and this week was no exception) something in particular catches my eye and even elicits a chuckle from me: every week, there is an article in American Libraries Direct about what has been going on lately on ALA Island in Second Life.
I am fascinated by this for some reason. I'm not a Second Life-r myself and have never used the program, but I think it's great that ALA is endorsing it so persistently. I guess it just exemplifies the extent to which the information profession has had to alter its professional model / outlook to encompass the various technologies not only for practical purposes, but to alter the public view of the profession and its general attitude. I think ALA Island is a great way for information professionals to shrug off that old "Marian the Librarian" stereotype and to stay relevant. Staying relevant doesn't just mean using new technology to extend the library's traditional purposes; it means letting the world know that libraries are "hip to the groove," if you will. ALA is using ALA Island and Second Life to show the fun side of libraries and librarians. And they're teaching while they're having fun.
There are always programs going on on ALA Island; it's like it performs the "community center" function of the library for the entire ALA community and other interested individuals. Recently there was a naming contest for a garden that was created there. The garden ended up being named "Story Hour Garden," and it is my understanding that you can "go" there and hear "book and other literary audio features," including StoryLines America. I have also seen articles in my American Libraries Direct e-newsletter that talked about authors "visiting" ALA island (in avatar form, of course) and doing readings of their work.
Also in keeping with the "community" aspect of ALA island is the idea that you can go there and "meet" and communicate other information professionals (or people interested in the profession) of all kinds. It is an area for librarians who might have never gotten the chance to meet in person to "socialize."
How crazy is that?! : )
This week in my email I received my weekly American Libraries Direct e-mail (Yay! I'm a member of ALA now) and of course it was very informative and interesting as usual. But every week (and this week was no exception) something in particular catches my eye and even elicits a chuckle from me: every week, there is an article in American Libraries Direct about what has been going on lately on ALA Island in Second Life.
I am fascinated by this for some reason. I'm not a Second Life-r myself and have never used the program, but I think it's great that ALA is endorsing it so persistently. I guess it just exemplifies the extent to which the information profession has had to alter its professional model / outlook to encompass the various technologies not only for practical purposes, but to alter the public view of the profession and its general attitude. I think ALA Island is a great way for information professionals to shrug off that old "Marian the Librarian" stereotype and to stay relevant. Staying relevant doesn't just mean using new technology to extend the library's traditional purposes; it means letting the world know that libraries are "hip to the groove," if you will. ALA is using ALA Island and Second Life to show the fun side of libraries and librarians. And they're teaching while they're having fun.
There are always programs going on on ALA Island; it's like it performs the "community center" function of the library for the entire ALA community and other interested individuals. Recently there was a naming contest for a garden that was created there. The garden ended up being named "Story Hour Garden," and it is my understanding that you can "go" there and hear "book and other literary audio features," including StoryLines America. I have also seen articles in my American Libraries Direct e-newsletter that talked about authors "visiting" ALA island (in avatar form, of course) and doing readings of their work.
Also in keeping with the "community" aspect of ALA island is the idea that you can go there and "meet" and communicate other information professionals (or people interested in the profession) of all kinds. It is an area for librarians who might have never gotten the chance to meet in person to "socialize."
How crazy is that?! : )
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