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Storytelling Treasures Found at West of Ireland |
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Written by Sifriya Devin
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Those of Irish descent have always been known for their gift of “blarney.” It is, therefore, no coincidence that one of the best and most consistent places to find great storytelling happens to be the West of Ireland Library and Cultural Center on the West of Ireland sim.
Created in February of 2007 by Dharma Austin, the West of Ireland (WOI) sim is dedicated to music, literature, surfing and above all, Project Children. This real life charity was created in 1975 by Denis Mulcahy, a New York City Policeman, who created the program to bring children from conflicting Irish groups to the United States for a vacation and relationship building opportunity. All of the events presented on the WOI sim are free of charge in the hopes of gaining donations to the Project Children program. The popularity of events and generosity of WOI attendees has meant an average of $800-$1200 real life dollars contributed to the charity each month.
The WOI Library and Cultural Center, located next the beautiful sculpture of playing children overlooking the ocean, is one of the most popular places on the WOI sim as it plays host to exhibits, group readings, storytelling, genealogy discussions and other culturally significant events. The storytelling schedule for WOI Library is jam packed with a session almost every day or evening of the week. Some of the storytelling consists of original work by various artists, but many of the selections are voice readings of traditional classic literary works.
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"Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries" - a must read for Second Life librarians |
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Written by Dulcie Mills
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When Lori Bell (SL Lorelei Junot) and Rhonda B. Trueman (SL Abbey Zenith) first rezzed their avatars into Second Life in the spring of 2006, neither one of them imagined that less than three years later, they would be co-editors of a book about virtual librarianship. Neither did they foresee that the small plot of land they'd named Info Island would grow into an archipelago of 54 islands, nor that they would ever be be referred to as "innovators" and "pioneers" in book reviews of their work, "Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries." Bell also never dreamed she'd come to be known as the "Founding Mother" of libraries in virtual worlds.
Bell explained that the idea for the book that features 26 contributors started when the publisher, Information Today, approached her in the fall of 2006 shortly after the Alliance Virtual Library Project began. "I hope the book will serve as a valuable information resource for both librarians and educators who want information about virtual worlds and those who may not be quite convinced. I hope it will also urge those who are not convinced to at least give it a try," she said. "I think after reading about some of the experiences of the contributors that they will be convinced to give it a try."
During an October 2008 talk to the Special Libraries Association (SLA) group in Second Life, Trueman gave some background on how, what is now known as the Information Archipelago, began. "In March of 2006 Lori Bell of Alliance Library System and Online Programming for All Libraries (OPAL) joined forces to extend the programs that they currently offered online to librarians and library users to Second Life. The plan was to start with programs and eventually offer library services," she said. "With the support of the Director of Alliance Library System, Kitty Pope, and the Chairman of the Alliance Library System board, Barbara Galik (Puglet Dancer in SL), the first real library is created in a virtual world." Trueman then related her changing roles from tour guide, decorator, head of collections, director of operations, "or Lori's partner in crime as she calls it" and now Director of the Library Resources and Services for Alliance Library System's five core islands. "Lori wanted to let the people here tell their stories to the outside world through the publication of a book about the efforts here," Trueman said. "She asked me to co-edit and opened the book up for contributions. Publishing a book was a first time experience for the two of us, but thanks to all of the contributors, Rachel Singer-Gordon and the wonderful publishing staff at Information Today we completed the book and are happy to see it published this month."
The book is divided into three sections: Virtual Worlds and Libraries; The Alliance Virtual Library Project; and Virtual Worlds and Education. In the introductory section, Tom Peters (SL Maxito Ricardo), CEO of TAP Information Services; a small company that helps organizations innovate, wrote the first chapter that deals with the concept of how libraries, librarians, librarianship, library science, library graduate education, library assocations and consortia and library vendors relate to multi-user virtual environments. Marty Grover (SL Fleet Goldenberg) wrote the next two chapters on Massively Multiplayer Online Worlds and Library Education and Museum Applications of Virtual Worlds, for Child, Tween, and Teen Projcts. The Alliance Virtual Library Project section consists of chapters on Management, Teaching, Reference Services, and Collections, as well as chapters on individual projects within the Information Archipelago including Caledon, Health Info Island, Renaissance Island, Land of Lincoln, and Eye4You Alliance on the Teen Grid. Also included were chapters on the genre-driven areas of the Sci Fi Portal and Mystery Manor. The final section, Virtual Worlds and Education, features academic librarians and educators relating their beginning experiences in virtual worlds and sharing the knowledge they have gained from those experiences. Barbara Galik, Executive Director, Cullom-Davis Library, Bradley University who is currently President of the Alliance Library System Board of Directors, but better known in Second Life as Puglet Dancer, writes a chapter that is a manual for those who are want to convince their organization to come into Second Life. Jeremy Kemp of San Jose State University writes about teaching the nation's first MLIS class in Second Life.
Trueman said that one of her favorite parts of the book is Chapter 5, "Rocky in Wonderland" that is written by Bill Sowers (SL Rocky Vallejo). "His chapter comes at Second Life from the point of view of someone completely new to virtual environments and tracks his experiences and growth," she said.
JJ Drinkwater and Hypatia Dejavu, two contributors to the book, spoke at a Second Life ALA group book talk on Virtual Worlds and Libraries. Dejavu who wrote Chapters 7 and 8, "Teaching in a Virtual Setting" and "Reference Services in a Virtual World," said, "In the reference section, we discuss where virtual world reference started and how far it's come at AVL. From very meager beginnings to one of the major services we provide. But more importantly the chapter talks about the contrast between SL reference, real life reference, and online virtual reference. And how SL reference seems to pull far ahead of online reference in terms of both patron and librarian satisfaction and communication.We're hoping to watch these kinds of programs expand with the virtual worlds." Drinkwater, author of Chapter 10, " Virtual Neighborhoods, Real Communities: The Caledon Branch Library and the Branch Library Program," said, ". . . my chapter was written about the Caledon Library back when it was a branch of SLL2. But it's mostly about being a community library -- how the interests of the community shape not just the library's collections, but the library's presence. This is true in any community, of course...but here in SL we get to explore librarianship that serves "themed communities."
Bell and Trueman (SL Junot and Zenith) also appeared on SLCNTV's "Meet an Author" program to discuss their book. They were interviewed by Adele Ward, the show's host who asked them questions regarding the Alliance Virtual Library project, the book, and their hopes for the future. In addition, Bell and Trueman took turns reading passages from "Virtual Worlds, Real Librarians." When asked about the strengths of the book, Bell mentioned the variety of projects that are described and the people involved. She said she felt that the biggest strength was "the variety of experiences" people shared. Regarding the challenges in writing the book, Trueman pointed out the problems faced trying to keep up with the changes in technology such as the introduction of voice into SL. "It was hard to keep the writing current," she said. "Just as we signed off on the edit . . . we had to change (our) name to Alliance Virtual Library," she said. But both Bell and Trueman were thankful for the assistance of their publisher, Information Today, to guide them through the publication process.
The list of contributors to "Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries," some of who used their real life names and others who preferred to write under their Second Life names, include Eric Gordon Bainbridge, Abbi Ball, Lori Bell, Guus van den Brekel, Skip Burhans, Kelly Czarnecki, Barbara A. Galik, Rachel Gollub, Marty Grover, DaisyBlue Hefferman, J. B. Hill, J. J. Jacobson, Jeremy W. Kemp, Mary-Carol Lindbloom, Max Lundy, Louise Ochoa, Susan Payne, Carol Perryman, Tom Peters, Kitty Pope, Geri Purpur, Todd Spires, Jami Schwarzwalder, Bill Sowers, Samantha Thompson, Rhonda Trueman, and Deni Wicklund.
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Last Updated on Sunday, 02 November 2008 14:21 |
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Written by Dulcie Mills
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LIBRARY OF ILLUMINATION
During the month of November, the Library of Illumination will celebrate one of the oldest traditions on Earth with the Indian Cultural Exposition. Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita and other immortal classics will be available as well as a fine collection of ancient and modern Indian paintings.
* 5 November (Wednesday) 12 PM SLT (Non) - Bible study with Pedro McMillan
* 5 November (Wednesday) 5:30-6:30 PM SLT Jane Austen Tea Party and discussion with Belisima Grunberg
* 12 November (Wednesday) 12 PM SLT (Non) - Bible study with Pedro McMillan
* 12 November (Wednesday) 5:30-6:30 PM SLT Jane Austen Tea Party and discussion with Belisima Grunberg
* 15 November (Saturday) 2 PM SLT - Yman Juran and ChangHigh Trinity Sisters present The Fireshow Spectacular
* 19 November (Wednesday) 12 PM SLT (Non) - Bible study with Pedro McMillan
* 19 November (Wednesday) 5:30-6:30 PM SLT Jane Austen Tea Party and discussion with Belisima Grunberg
* 26 November (Wednesday) 12 PM SLT (Non) - Bible study with Pedro McMillan
* 26 November (Wednesday) 5:30-6:30 PM SLT Jane Austen Tea Party and discussion with Belisima Grunberg
* 21 November (Friday) 11 AM SLT - Introduction to Urantia Book with Yman Juran
* 21 November (Friday) 2 PM SLT Tristan Meriman reads his book Lady of the Shadows. Prologue and Chapter 1
* Date to be announced- MayUra by Silken Ballet
WEST OF IRELAND LIBRARY AND CULTURAL CENTER
Sundays @ 11am WOI Storytellers with the Special of the Day*
Mondays @ 7pm Caledonia Skytower with Peter Pan
Tuesdays @ 7pm Han Sonste with Ariel:A Book of the Change
Wednesdays @ 7pm Aoife Lorefield with Irish Tales
Thursdays @ 6.30pm Shandon Loring with Celtic Myths and Legends
Fridays @ 5pm WOI Storytellers with the Special of the Day*
Saturdays @ 2pm Elder Priestman with Americana stories
*Specials of the Day as told by the WOI Storytellers:
November 2nd @ 11am - Stories of Saints and Souls
November 7th @ 5pm - Stories of Winged Creatures
November 9th @ 11am and Nov 14th @ 5pm - Salute to Veterans
November 16th @ 11am - Myths and Legends
November 21st @ 5pm - Open Mic Storytelling
November 23rd @ 11am - Open Mic Storytelling
November 26th @ 7pm - Thanksgiving Stories
November 28th @ 5pm and Nov 30th @ 11am - Stories of London
INVESTING INFO ISLAND
We meet on the dock at Investing InfoIsland.
Thurs Nov 13 at 6 p.m. SLT: The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb
CALEDON
READER'S GARDEN
Book Discussion on Thomas Friedman's, Hot, Flat, and Crowded with Keith Ainsworth, Esq (and Poet Thriek Wilkinson in world). Reader's Garden, Thursday, November 6th 2:30 pm SLT. Keith is involved in many real life environmental cases and will share his experiences for the benefit of librarians. Discussion will include libraries going "green" and ways that librarians can achieve this in their real life libraries.
SCI FIC PORTAL
Book of the Month Discussion~
SNOW CRASH by Neal Stephenson
Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 pm
Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 pm
Host: Valibrarian Gregg
In the real world, Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for "Uncle Enzo's CosaNostra Pizza, Inc.". But in the Metaverse, he's a warrior prince plunging headlong into the enigra of a new computer virus that's striking down hackers everywhere. He races along neon-lit streets on a search-and-destroy mission for the shadowy virtual villan who is threatening to bring about Infocalypse.
The New York Times Book Review says: "Stephenson turns out to be an engaging guide to an onrushing tomorrow."
Meet the Author~
WARRIOR BROTHERS by Erik Gordon Bainbridge
Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 pm
Mr. Bainbridge will read from his novel, then open for discussion with the audience.
There is a virtual summary of the novel, complete with pictures, on the upper landing inside the Portal.
The Warrior Brothers legend speaks of three Stone Age youths in the ancient days of a distant planet who wrested for their people the secrets of metal from underground dwarves. When they died, the gods placed them in the stars, promising that they would return when their people needed them. Now their people are defeated and backward. They have no warriors. The original Warrior Brothers' armor has been taken to museums on other planets. Monks devote their lives to seeking the Warrior Brothers' predicted reincarnation. Three teen boys at first think they are pretending to be those Warrior Brothers. Soon it becomes necessary for them to truly become Warriors to save their people. Ancient legend and advanced civilization converge.
Film Discussion~
THE FORBIDDEN PLANET
Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1 pm
Hosts: Symmetry Munro & Hawk Lightcloud
This is the film you'll remember with Michael Renee as the Alien who cares enough about humanity to dramatically try to save humanity from our selfish selves. Remember the impression that Gort (the robot) causes when he walks out of the space ship to meet World Leaders.
ONLY YESTERDAY
November 11, 8 (slt) at the bookstore in Only Yesterday.
Tamu Oh will be leading a discussion on Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were
Watching God. There will be a link to Amazon from teh bookstore for people to
purchase the book beforehand (which will benefit the sim)
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Splendour Lyonesse and Calavar - for those yearning for Narnia |
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Written by Sifriya Devin
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 Experiencing literature in Second Life can take various forms and a great amount of time. Many Sims dedicated to giving readers the opportunity to explore the settings of their favorite reads tend to be too ambitious in scope. That mistake has not been made with Splendour Lyonesse, a series of Sims dedicated to recreating the fictitious homeland of Aravis from C.S. Lewis’ "The Horse and His boy."
Second Life and real life fantasy author Tristan Meriman/Glen Manewell, along with fellow Narnia fans Tascha Klees and Lois Allen, have created a beautiful land for the purpose of “enjoying beauty, both of nature and human construction, and to enjoy good company in peaceful surroundings.” According to Meriman, “the name LYONESSE was chosen in an attempt to capture the ancient, old world, mythological, mystical, honourable, moral and mysterious penchant of people who have desiderata for such imagery and lost, forgotten ages.”
 Beginning at Calavar, the visitor encounters one of Meriman’s poetry pieces  entitled Azmara surrounded by a Moorish themed sim complete with colorful mosaic textures, marble statuary and long outdoor reflecting pools. As an ode to "The Chronicles of Narnia," Calavar transitions easily into Splendour Lyonesse through the presence of a beautiful castle on the mountain with a ghostly Aslan the lion standing guard at the front entry. If you explore the Calavar area carefully, you will also discover four small thrones awaiting the Pevensie children. The Sim then continues into the residential areas of Logres, followed by the shops of Pendragon. All of these connected areas flow beautifully by incorporating fantasy elements alongside art consistent with ancient Roman, Moroccan, and Egyptian motifs.
The Splendour Lyonesse group of Sims is PG rated and open to the public. Tristan and his fellow creators welcome guests and groups wishing to meet in this beautiful setting. Besides several intimate meeting spaces for groups of about twelve, there is a nice size Greek/Roman amphitheatre that holds about sixty. The castle is lavishly decorated and perfect for a ball or formal dinner. Be sure to take time to explore in the Pendragon area complete with large port and ancient ship.  Don’t limit your explorations to above water only. Pendragon offers many underwater ruins and magical elements including an underwater version of Stonehenge.
Splendour Lyonesse 213, 105, 26 (PG) - Calavar
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 November 2008 17:15 |
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