Libraries in Second Life

Check out this recent article about the American Library Association and its adventures in Second Life, the online virtual world.

According to the article "ALA will have one half of ALA/Arts Island, which will be utilized as a new method for disseminating ALA news and information. It will also be used for reaching out to new audiences, holding events, interacting with members and the public, and exploring the future of library services." The ALA island will be located near Cybrary City in the "Info Archipelago." Maybe if we had a real Cybrary CIty and Info Archipelago there wouldn't be so much global warming...

Anyway, how cool is this? I know many of us think of our local library as a dusty old place with a bunch of books -- ALA's adventures in Second Life prove that the library is moving to a whole new level (or world!). In fact, there are over 400 librarians in second life. If your local librarian can have an avatar in SecondLife, don't you feel a little behind the times if you don't?

I'm just hoping that libraries will be inspired to start charging virtual late fees as well :)