Libraries in Second Life: Linking Collections,Clients, and Communities in a Virtual World

The multi-user virtual environment Second Life has drawn attention from many librarians who established virtual libraries and information spaces there. Even as interest in Second Life diminishes, it is worthwhile to look at how libraries in Second Life were established and what models they followed. This study examines the purposes, users, collections, and community integration of Second Life libraries. Researchers identified over 75 libraries in Second Life through the professional literature and search results within Second Life. Using this sample, they identified seven general categories of libraries and discuss examples of each. Some Second Life library spaces help to set a scene and contribute to the ethos of a larger space. Other Second Life libraries connect physical libraries with virtual communities. Still others serve communities that exist only in virtual spaces, supporting common interests or role-playing scenarios. Finally, some Second Life libraries expand understandings of what a virtual library might be, whether through imaginative architecture or unusual collections. Second Life libraries offer collections of resources tailored to the needs of individual communities and make them available in different formats. They also offer social and educational programs, much as physical libraries do. Whatever the future of Second Life, the libraries that have been established there raise important questions for future virtual library work.     

融入Second Life的高校图书馆虚拟参考咨询服务探讨

目前以Second Life(SL)为代表的虚拟世界在互联网上广泛流行并引起学术界的诸多争议。通过界定SL的定义、介绍与其相关的概念,探讨高校图书馆利用SL开展虚拟参考咨询(VR)服务的目的性、服务时间、问题类型、服务方式和服务内容等,指出融入SL过程中开展VR应注意的问题。     

Second Life中图书馆的服务模式

介绍Second Life图书馆是一种在三维虚拟世界展示完全不同于传统类型图书馆服务的新型图书馆。在调研Second Life图书馆提供多元化服务模式的基础上,如召开国际会议、参考咨询服务、阅读讨论会、创新用户教育、青少年图书馆、游戏娱乐等,分析Second Life图书馆服务模式的优点及缺点,总结该发展模式对中国图书馆在虚拟空间开展服务的有益启示。     

Save the Time of the Avatar: Canadian Academic Libraries Using Chat Reference in Multi-User Virtual Environments

Hundreds of librarians from around the world are exploring and volunteering their time in Second Life, evaluating the possibilities of offering a reference service in this environment. This article places virtual world reference service within the reference continuum and explores how a reference service could be offered by an academic institution in a virtual world, what additional skills are required for such a service, and whether there is a need for a virtual reference service.     

Second Life与图书馆2．0的实现

SecondLife是互联网上的三维虚拟生活,正好为实现图书馆2．0提供了技术平台。SecondLife虚拟世界不仅能提供一个个信息数字对象,还能创造一种经验。SecondLife中实现的虚拟图书馆正是一种图书馆2．0,表明图书馆可以借助SecondLife为互联网用户提供更多具有创意的服务。     

A Critical Phenomenology of Whiteness in Academic Libraries

This exploratory qualitative study examines how whiteness functions in the field of library and information science (LIS) within higher education institutions. Utilizing a critical phenomenological approach, three questions guided the inquiry: (1) How is whiteness embodied by academic librarians, (2) What perceptions do academic librarians hold that contribute to the maintenance or disruption of habits of whiteness in libraries, and (3) How and where is whiteness embedded within academic library settings and the field of LIS?The aim was to begin understanding whiteness in libraries as an experientially-grounded and systemically reproduced phenomena. Four academic librarians participated in semi-structured interviews that explored participant identity and experiences with race, specifically whiteness, in their professional lives. Data were analyzed using a cyclical coding approach resulting in six themes. This research may contribute to a better understanding of the way libraries function as racial projects and can assist librarians in seeing the importance of adopting critical reflexivity as a tool for recognizing and disrupting systemic habits of white normativity in libraries.     

Organizational aspects of the virtual library: A survey of academic libraries

The virtual library is presently being investigated across disciplines, often with a strong technological emphasis. The present study takes an organizational approach by placing the virtual library in the context of the academic library, and focusing on opinions of the library directors concerning the virtual library. The problem investigated refers to the propensity of academic libraries to become organized as a virtual library, which is conceptualized in terms of four general models. Directors of academic libraries were surveyed, and the literature on changes in the library organization was reviewed. It has been found that academic libraries exhibit visible organizational changes. When the virtual library is concerned, however, library directors tend to understand it just as digital technology, are mainly supportive of such library, and demonstrate a number of limitations that prevent them from thinking of virtual libraries in more radical terms.     

When Off-Campus Means Virtual Campus: The Academic Library in Second Life

ABSTRACT

This article discusses how a library's consistent policy of accessibility and foresight positioned itself to serve its students, faculty and staff in the virtual world of Second Life. Always ahead of the technological curve, this library has been the front-runner in providing services to distance learners via text messaging, “chat,” e-mail, and telephone services and via its laptop librarian project across the campus. It now is poised and ready to provide service in Second Life. Collaboration between the library and teaching faculty culminated in the creation, development, and furnishing of a library in Second Life, an environment that gives new meaning to “off-campus” learning. Without marketing, but as a visible presence, the Second Life library was able to attract both off-campus guests and affiliated students and faculty and even participated in campus-wide projects. This experiment has enjoyed the support of both the university and library administration.     

Reference in a 3-D Virtual World: Preliminary Observations on Library Outreach in “Second Life”

ABSTRACT

As technologies continue to evolve, the library will need to explore new ways to communicate with the public. One of the newest technologies is a 3-D virtual world software called Second Life. Second Life presents new opportunities and challenges for reference librarians to support the information needs of that community.     

Measuring the Success of the Academic Library Website Using Banner Advertisements and Web Conversion Rates

Abstract

Measuring website success is critical not only to the web development process but also to demonstrate the value of library services to the institution. This article documents one library's approach to the measurement of website success. LibQUAL+(tm) results and strategic-planning documents indicated a need for a new type of measurement. The current literature on e-metrics focuses predominantly on vendor-based network statistics and reporting standards and other collaborative projects by various academic libraries around the world, such as the International Organization for Standardization, National Information Standards, Project COUNTER, and the Association of Research Libraries. There is no evidence within the body of library literature of academic libraries incorporating the use of e-metrics to measure the success of the library website in relation to library strategic planning and marketing. The purpose of this research paper is to consider how academic libraries can use web-conversion rates as a managerial tool for measuring a website's success and provides an outline for further research into a more strategic application of e-metrics as it relates to library strategic planning and marketing.     

From IM to Collaboration

Abstract

As library service providers for distance learners, we are constantly searching for ways to assist them in their use of library resources. Virtual (real-time chat) reference is yet another tool to utilize in reaching these students. While virtual reference has been around for several years and many libraries offer such services, as a medium-sized institution, Emporia State University took some time to move into providing such a service on a formal basis. Several issues, including staffing and funding, delayed entrance into this arena. It was not until a collaborative academic reference venture among several academic libraries in the state was proposed that the ESU library was able to offer this service. Advantages and disadvantages of the collaboration will be discussed, as well as lessons learned that can be applied to any collaborative project.     

高校图书馆虚拟参考服务的现状与发展

虚拟参考服务是图书馆参考咨询工作的发展趋势。文章通过对我国“211工程”高校图书馆的调研,分析了当前高校图书馆虚拟参考服务的现状和存在的问题,提出了发展高校图书馆虚拟参考服务的几点建议。     

Getting Beyond Institutional Cultures

Abstract

As library service providers for distance learners, we are constantly searching for ways to improve communication, share our knowledge, and make distance learners aware of our resources. Virtual (real-time chat) reference is yet another tool to utilize in reaching these students. While virtual reference has been around for several years, and is offered by many libraries, the four institutions comprising this service have taken a variety of paths to reach the current stage-a collaboration among academic state university libraries of varying size. This paper discusses collaboration aspects such as differences in institutional cultures, negotiations, planning and implementation, developing policies and best practices, staff training, technology issues, and lessons learned that can be applied to any collaborative project.     

美国顶级大学图书馆应用Web 2.0的现状调查与分析

通过网络调研Web 2.0在美国顶级大学图书馆网站的使用情况。结果显示：最受欢迎的Web 2.0技术是SNS,使用率达到100%;其次为Blog,RSS和IM,分别占90%以上;Vodcasts（占47%）,Podcasts（占46%）和Social bookmarking（占39%）也较受欢迎;Wiki的使用率较低,仅占1/3。认为Web 2.0在这些图书馆的使用情况和技术结构模式在一定程度上反映美国大学图书馆服务数字化、互动化、个性化的发展趋势,同时也映射出世界图书馆服务人性化、互动化的变化。研究结果可为专业图书馆信息研究管理者、Web 2.0部署人员以及图书馆用户等相关人士提供参考意见和建议。     

我国智慧图书馆建设面临的五大问题

随着信息化的高速发展,用户对资源需求的无限性和资源获取的便捷性要求提高,传统图书馆和数字图书馆已很难满足用户日益多样的需求,图书馆正在探索由数字图书馆向智慧图书馆的过渡和转型,图书馆的资源管理、业务流程、服务模式等都将发生变化。目前,我国智慧图书馆建设正处于研究探索阶段,缺乏成熟的理论指导,也缺乏不同图书馆系统内和不同区域图书馆间的统筹规划。本文试图探讨以下五个问题:智慧图书馆的概念之惑,智慧图书馆的名分之实,智慧图书馆的建设之困,智慧图书馆的合作之需,智慧图书馆的理论之贫。建议从理论层面深入研究智慧图书馆建设的相关问题,包括建设标准、建设模式、合作路径等,用成熟的图书馆学理论指导智慧图书馆建设的实践。     

关于大学图书馆建设的几个问题

就图书馆是大学的必要条件、实体图书馆与虚拟图书馆的关系、数字图书馆建设、馆员岗位进修诸问题进行了讨论。     

The Undergraduate Prospectus as a Marketing Tool for Academic Libraries

There is widespread use of the undergraduate prospectus as a decision-making tool for prospective university students. Surveys have examined factors that affect student decision-making; none have specifically examined the use of the prospectus as a marketing tool for academic libraries. This study aimed to examine the usefulness of the prospectus as a marketing tool for academic libraries. A content analysis of twenty prospectuses was carried out to determine the portrayal of the library within them. A questionnaire was used to uncover the perceptions of prospective university students. This was distributed to 44 sixth-form students. The prospectus was identified as the most important source of information for prospective students. The library was deemed important in the prospectus in terms of decision-making, but it ranked behind other information, such as course content or entry requirements. The exposure of the library varied within prospectuses; some featured the library heavily, others excluded the library altogether. The most heavily referenced features of the library were information technology, printed and electronic resources, and study space. The prospectus has potential for library marketing, increasing the exposure, and highlighting the value of its services. A “best practice” policy for library marketing and promotion within prospectuses is presented.     

Fostering entrepreneurship in Omani academic libraries: Examining the present and pioneering future opportunities

This study evaluated the entrepreneurial culture in Omani university libraries and analyzed the benefits and difficulties that come with it. The main aims was to examine the resources and guidance offered by these libraries for creating an entrepreneurial culture as well as the perceived challenges faced by library staff and students. The study also tried to identify effective programs and top practices from other academic libraries that might be applied to the Omani context.A combination of semi-structured interviews with staff members from five libraries and surveys given to students in 10 libraries were used to accomplish these goals. The results of this study showed that the Sultanate of Oman's academic libraries actively support entrepreneurial culture and are aware of their potential as centres for its diffusion. They do, however, face challenges, such as a dearth of competent workers in the field of business and a lack of pertinent collections to support the entrepreneurial culture. The study also emphasized the need for Omani academic libraries to improve the services they offer in the area of entrepreneurship and spread knowledge of its significance, particularly in light of the nation's sustainable development aspirations.By contributing to understanding entrepreneurial culture within the context of Omani academic libraries, this research provides valuable insights for library professionals, educators, and researchers. It identifies current challenges and opportunities and shares successful initiatives from other academic libraries, emphasizing the significance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in academic libraries to promote innovation and contribute to the overall advancement of the library industry and information institutions in the Arab world.     

评析“Second Life”中的数字参考咨询2.0

“Second Life”是一个新兴的网络在线三维虚拟世界,国外已有很多图书馆在这里提供参考咨询服务,本文通过自身的实践体验对“Second Life”中的参考咨询服务优缺点进行分析。     

The academic library: Structure,space, physical and virtual use

This mixed-methods study aims to characterize the appropriate structure of the academic library in the information age according to the perceptions of the faculty members who use the library and the academic librarians operating it. Two main issues were addressed: centralization versus decentralization, and the provision of physical versus virtual services. The study population included members of the faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences in three academic institutions in Israel and academic librarians working in these institutions. Qualitative data was collected through interviews with 20 faculty members and 15 librarians, while quantitative data was collected through questionnaires filled by 191 faculty members and 50 librarians in the above-mentioned institutions. Analysis of these data reveal that faculty members generally prefer a concentration of materials—rather than decentralization—and they show a similar preference toward a faculty library model, a combined faculty/departmental library model, and a central library model. Similarly, the academic librarians prefer either faculty or combined faculty/department libraries, but their preference toward a central library model is lower than that of the faculty members. The decentralized, departmental library model was the least favored by both groups. In addition, our findings indicate that both the faculty members and the librarians appreciate the virtual services that the library provides as well as its physical presence, although fewer faculty members than librarians perceived the latter as an important role of the library. Taken together it appears that the preferred model for the academic library in the information age is of large, multidisciplinary libraries that contain materials from a variety of fields and provide comprehensive virtual services.