SirsiDynix and Second Life Library 2.0

I’ve been keeping this under my hat for so long I could burst. SirsiDynix is so excited about Second Life that we’ve taken to sponsoring a few of our clients there. Watch for the February issue of SirsiDynix OneSource where I’ll have an article all about this – complete with cool links. I am getting the same feeling about SL that I got about the web in 1994….
Here’s the exciting (at least to me!) news we announced at ALA Midwinter:

SirsiDynix Sponsors Alliance Library System’s Second Life Library 2.0:
SirsiDynix will fund the two main islands in the Info Island project on Second Life
SEATTLE, Jan. 19, 2007 – SirsiDynix, the global leader in strategic technology solutions for libraries bringing knowledge to people and communities, announced today its 2007 sponsorship of the two main islands in the Alliance Library System/Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County partnership project on Second Life and Teen Second Life. Second Life is a 3D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by more than 2.5 million people from around the globe.
The two Second Life islands sponsored by SirsiDynix are Library 2.0 Info Island and Teen Info Island, which is named “Eye4YouAlliance.” Alliance Library System – the lead agency for Info Island, the adult library island in Second Life – has been described as “one of the most innovative regional library systems in North America.” Located in East Peoria, IL, with 253 library members of all types, Alliance offers continuing education, consulting, resource sharing and delivery service to members. The purpose of the Second Life Library 2.0 is to provide real library services to Second Life residents.
The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, located in Charlotte, N.C., is the lead agency on Eye4You Alliance. Founded in 1903 as a Carnegie Free Library, the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County has become one of the premiere libraries in the country with 24 locations, 1.6 million volumes and 28,000 videos, DVDs and CDs. The library sponsors a variety of community based programs – from computer and Internet education workshops to the award winning Novello Festival of Reading, a celebration that accentuates the fun of reading and learning. The goal of Eye4You Alliance is to create an interactive and informative space for young adults within the Teen Second Life virtual world and to collaborate with other educators who serve youth and are already present in Teen Second Life and in real life.
Kitty Pope, executive director of the Alliance Library System, said of the Second Life project: “Last April, we knew we were taking a chance. We did not know if the residents of Second Life would want a library or what a library in a virtual world would mean. Now almost a year later, we have expanded from a rented building to an Info Archipelago with eight collaborative islands and many groups working together to continue the expansion. The international group of volunteers we have had has made this happen.” Pope (known as Kitty Phillips in Second Life) is the executive director of Second Life Library/Info, Barbara Galik (Puglet Dancer in Second Life) is the president of the advisory board, Lori Bell (Lorelei Junot in Second Life) is the director and Rhonda Trueman (Abbbey Zenith in Second Life) is the assistant director. The directors of the Teen Second Life Library are Matt Gullett (Ray Lightworker in Second Life) and Kelly Czarnecki (BlueWings Hayek in Second Life).
Stephen Abram, vice president of innovation for SirsiDynix, said: “SirsiDynix is so thrilled to partner with Alliance Library Systems and the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County on this exciting project. They are leading the charge as libraries expand into the virtual world. They have proved to the world that libraries are not only capable of remaining relevant in today’s quickly evolving world, but that they will be a major player as information continues to become more available and more in need of shepherding than ever before.”
This announcement was made today at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, WA
Then in January 2007, another SirsiDynix client entered the fray. The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is no longer just a one branch library. T&SCPL has opened up a new location in Cybrary City in Second Life. The Capital-Journal, the local newspapers, reports that Jeff Dawson, youth services manager at TSCPL, said his organization recently became a part of this growing trend and now plans to use the program as a new way to reach Topeka youth. “This is so new. We’re not even sure we understand all of it yet,” Dawson said. “We just know we need to be here.”
And, BTW, my Second Life name is Squid Cagney. See you there.
Stephen/Squid