[Web4lib] The end of MySpace, SecondLife, and Twitter

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings,

There is a special grid in SL for younger people
and there are quite of few librarians helping to
develop the resources. They must have criminal
background checks in order to participate.

The work is being done.

As far as classifying development and use of SL
and other tools by librarians as a obsession with
juvenilia, I have to differ.  I see it as an extraordinary
opportunity to collaborate and learn from other people.

For those who volunteer in reference services, we
are able to observe first class interpersonal skills
in virtual librarianship in a safe environment. The
reference process can be honed through observation
and reviewed by the trainee.  This training environment
can, in my mind, augment skills of new librarians
and help vintage librarians understand the virtual
processes being used by many younger people.

There are great applications and opportunities for us all.

*************************************************
Robert L. Balliot
1-401-421-5763
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
*************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Louise Alcorn
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:26 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] The end of MySpace, SecondLife, and Twitter

 
-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth
Tarasevich

 Many of these kids are too sick to read, or even look at computers, but
love to be read to - in person. Much better use of a librarian's time
than twittering (pun intended) around in SL. 

Just my opinion, but sometimes I am embarrassed with the obsession of
juvenilia in our profession. 


Though one of the growing groups in SL and other virtual venues is
homebound and physically disabled users.  Devil's advocate:  If they're
there in SL, why aren't we also there, offering them services they can't
get in our buildings (esp. old Carnegie buildings)?  I accept Tracey's
point that we'd be better served to spend money on proper ramps and
elevators, but still, if it costs little in staff time and money (an
equation each organization would have to figure on their own), why
wouldn't it be worth it to at least try this new form of communication
and see if it worked for our users?

My 2 cents.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Louise E. Alcorn
Reference Technology Librarian
West Des Moines Public Library
4000 Mills Civic Pkwy
West Des Moines IA 50265
(515) 222-3573      louise.alcorn at wdm-ia.com
http://www.wdmlibrary.org   
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