Virtual Worlds Interest Group

last person joined: one month ago 

Charge: An opportunity for academic librarians with virtual world interests and responsibilities to have a place in ACRL to network, share information, ask questions, and work on special projects and programs relevant to academic libraries.
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Tracing the evolution of the ACRL Virtual Worlds Interest Group from the ACRL Second Life Task Force

  • 1.  Tracing the evolution of the ACRL Virtual Worlds Interest Group from the ACRL Second Life Task Force

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 10:11 AM
    Edited by System Sep 01, 2022 03:10 PM

    See the June 23, 2009 post in ACRL Board of Directors (Association of College and Research Libraries) from Katie Coombes, UPDATED Board II Agenda and Documents now available, which includes the following pertinent documents as PDF file attachments:

    Doc 31.0 ACRL Second Life Task Force Final Report 2009.pdf - 27.6 KB 

    Doc 5.0 Virtual Worlds Interest Group ACRL_Board_Action_Form.pdf - 101.95 KB

    (excerpts)

    The ACRL Second Life Task Force has been operating within the virtual world of Second
    Life since 2007. In that time we have provided programming and professional networking
    for ACRL members and potential members within Second Life. Educators are increasingly
    using virtual worlds for both distance and traditional classes. Librarians involved in virtual
    environments have found that in addition to the opportunity to support academics, many
    opportunities exist for professional networking and continuing education for library
    professionals.


    The ACRL Second Life Task Force sunsets in 2009 and the recommended ACRL Virtual
    Worlds Interest Group will continue and expand upon the initiatives of the Task Force by
    including any virtual environment where educators, library professionals, and library
    students operate. The ACRL Board has approved the recommendation of the ACRL
    Second Life Task Force to find a volunteer to manage the ACRL in Second Life space on
    ALA’s sim in Second Life.

    Our charge is to provide support and oversight for a designated volunteer to manage the
    Second Life presence of ACRL; to facilitate communication and collaboration for ACRL
    members and potential members involved in or interested in virtual worlds for professional
    activities; to participate in and support the activities of ACRL in virtual worlds on an ongoing
    basis; to advocate for ACRL and to recruit new members to ACRL in virtual worlds.

     

    FISCAL AND STAFFING IMPACT: Minimal. ACRL staff will need to work with the ACRL
    Member Services office to ensure that the new interest group is added as a dues
    product to the membership form before September 2009. Staff will also need to
    update the ACRL web site to include information about the IG and work with the ALA
    ITTS department to add this group to ALA Connect.