Open Stacks Podcast

Found via LiB.

The May 12th Open Stacks podcast talks about Second Life, the Second Life Library 2.0, and has links to the googlegroup.

Introduction to Alliance Second Life Library 2.0

From the Second Life Library 2.0 blog:

Alliance Library System/OPAL will provide an introduction to the Alliance Second Life Library 2.0 in the OPAL auditorium on Wednesday, May 31, at 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. [...] No registration is necessary. If you are interested in attending, please come to the OPAL online auditorium at http://67.19.231.218/v4/login.asp?r=67955673&p=0
Type your name, click enter to go into the room. A small software applet will download to your computer as you enter the room.

That's 2pm CST. I've got it on my calendar! This is a good opportunity for librarians to learn more about this particular use of gaming in libraries.

LibrarianInBlack also mentions that the BBC has rented an island in Second Life to hold a music festival.

Libraries in Social Networking Software

Have you read this blogpost yet? It's really interesting overview of blogging/social networking and libraries, including what libraries are doing to be useful in these spaces, not just there. Lots of links to what libraries are doing where, and lots of reference links.

The Crossett Library at Bennington College has asked patrons in Facebook what books and videos they’d like the library to order for them. And patrons really are requesting things there. And even better, the library is letting them know when the materials are ordered. [...] This way we are giving students a safe place to speak their mind.

Not quite gaming, but the online social interaction is an important part of gaming in education, and part of the report we turned in. Somewhat similar to how librarians can incorporate gaming in libraries through offering services in games (second life)...

Plus, it's an interesting post. Go read.

Massively multi-learner: recent advances in 3D social environments

found via the GiL blog:

In this paper we review work on developing an atypical MMO for use as a learning tool in traditional college settings. The MMO under consideration is Second Life by Linden Lab in San Francisco, CA. The platform is unusual in many regards. “Residents” play by creating content for use by others, gathering in ad hoc communities and constructing fictional narratives unrelated to the typical medieval combat genre prevalent in MMOs. It is this ability to add content and lack of an inbuilt narrative which has already attracted the attention of educators worldwide. We review a range of the education work already undertaken in Second Life and comment on its prospects for use more specifically in a Computer Science curriculum.

Library of Congress wants to preserve video game culture

I just saw this article this morning. It's about the LoC's National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program, which is working on preserving digital culture, including video games.

A slightly more interesting conversation is going on in the forums re: formats.

Committee Report

Does anyone have input for the Gaming Committee Report?

I'm working on summarizing what we've found so far this semester. We also have the general goal of "identifying successful elements of gaming, how to incorporate them into library services, and topics in gaming in libraries."

The elements we identified before are (and not necessarily "successful" ones that can be applied to libraries):
1. Online social interaction
2. Persistent virtual worlds (what happens one day is carried over to the next)
3. Real time.
4. Perpetually accessible from anywhere.
5. Loosely structured narrative that allow the user to act on their own and explore.
6. Social Realism - SIM environment not just escapist fantasy.
7. Users must coordinate with others to reach a goal.
8. Apprenticeship structures - no 1 person is the teacher; no 1 person is a learner. Everyone learns from others, new players apprentice to experienced players. 'Leveling up' - knowledge and skill gained from practice.

(I believe we have to have this in by the end of this week, in order to present it at the next exec meeting, like we did last semester.)

The educause Review article from this post has a lot of good information I'd like to incorporate into the report. Scott also suggested pointing out that gaming involves women and men. I'm working on just putting together some notes from what we've done so far and will send it out in email.

Second Life Library 2.0

I wasn't sure if anyone was following this from Gaming In Libraries blog, but it's librarians who are offering services at a library in the MMOG Second Life. It's very interesting to go through and see what they're doing, and especially all the pictures.

(I like pictures.)