PLCMC in Teen Second Life®
Are you a teen intrigued by virtual worlds and interested in assisting the library with an innovative project? Then PLCMC has an opportunity for you!
The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County is pleased to be exploring the creation of teen library services in a virtual world since October 2006.
Additional Partners:
For an overview of our program, view our PDF Brochure. The presence on what is called Eye4You Alliance Island began in October 2006 with support from the Alliance Library System in East Peoria, Illinois.
How can I participate?
Contact Kelly Czarnecki, Technology Education Librarian at ImaginOn via email,or by phone at (704) 973-2742 or the Tech Central Department, (704) 973-2727 for more information.
FAQ | Quotes from the Lindens | Quotes from Teens | SirsiDynix Press Release | Additional Information Resources | Multimedia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Teen Second Life?®
Teen Second Life® is a subset of the popular 3D online virtual world, Second Life®. The teen world of second life is separate from the adult world and is only accessible to those ages 13- 17 (and approved adults). While there is no charge to have an account in SL, the program must be downloaded and installed on a computer. Over 40,000 avatars are currently created in Teen Second Life®.
While many people might compare Second Life® to a video game since it shares many attributes in its look and feel, there are no goals, strategies or objectives like video games; rather this online environment offers a creative playground to build, interact and learn from other users/residents.
Within Second Life®, users or “residents” are represented by avatars, a computer generated representation of a person.
Why is PLCMC participating in a virtual world? 
Because PLCMC contributes to a literate community, giving teens tools for self-expression and communication is a step in that direction. When teens can share and produce things in a 3D environment, and with teens from all over the world, it helps to develop a stronger community that can be far reaching. Visual literacy is an important skill to be able to have for school and beyond. By the library being involved, we act as mentors and to help build assets that are valuable to have and help build networks that have more distributed knowledge between teens and adults.
Is there a library in the adult or main grid of Second Life® that adults can visit?
Yes, the Alliance Library System in East Peoria, IL has created a large and active presence within Second Life® called Info Island. You can find more information about this project at their blog.
Quotes from Linden Lab, the creators of Second Life® about PLCMC’s participation:
"Congratulations to everyone making this kind of wonderful stuff happen on the Teen Grid. You're really changing the world for many kids."
-Pathfinder Linden, Linden Lab Operations Director in Boston
"I'm really happy to see this (the public library involved in Teen Second Life). Finally, meeting teens in the digital space. I think the library will be a great location for guest mentors to interact with teens."
-Claudia Linden, Linden Lab Community Developer
Quotes from Teens involved in the project:
"I've been in Second Life® for a little over a year now. It's an amazing platform - it allows you to create anything and share it with people instantly."
"Recently, I've been working with importing forms of media into Second Life® (podcasts, magazines, blogs, etc.). This has always had a lot of interest to me, and I'd like to be able to put all of that to use in this project. The Eye4You project has a lot of potential, and I'd like to help recognize it's goal."
"I think libraries now are outdated. Second Life® provides an entirely different method of making one."
"I love talking to people and helping"
"There aren't many things I would like to incorporate from a real-life library, but I would like to incorporate scenes from books."
Multimedia
Additional Information Resources
Articles:
Avatars and Beyond: Building Virtual Communities with Teens in Libraries (VOYA, 2007) (Free Reader required)
Enjoying Your First Life? Why Not Add A Second? Developing Library Services in Second Life (Serious Games Source, 2006)
Get a Life: Students Collaborate in Simulated Roles (Edutopia, 2008)
Meet the New You: In Teen Second Life®, librarians can leap tall buildings in a single bound and save kids from boring assignments – all before lunch. (School Library Journal, 2007)
The Parallel Information Universe: What’s Out There and What it Means for Libraries (Library Journal, 2008)
Schools Confront a Virtual World (Houston Chronicle, 2008)
Teen Grid: Eye4You Alliance (Second Opinion, Second Life® Newsletter, 2007)
Blogs:
Eye4You Alliance Island
PLCMC’s Teen Second Life® project
InfoIsland
Alliance Library System’s project on Second Life®
Suffern Middle School in Second Life®
A New York Middle School project
Books:
Second Life® for Dummies by Sarah Robbins (For Dummies, 2008)
Second Life®: The Official Guide by Michael Rymaszewski (Sybex, 2006)
Web Sites and Wikis:
American Library Association and Second Life®
Second Life® – Official Web Site
Teen Second Life® – Official Web Site
Teen Second Life®: Library services in a 3D world (SirsiDynix Webinar, 2007)
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