Avatar Readings:
1.
Blackmore,
T. “Agent of civility: The Librarian in Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash,”
Studies in Media & Information Literacy Education 4 (no. 4, November
2004):1-10 see http://www.utpress.utoronto.ca/journal/ejournals/simile. Author Abstract: In Neal Stephenson's 1992 cyberpunk novel Snow Crash , hacker Hiro
Protagonist, aided by a virtual Librarian, works to save the world from a
cybernetic and biological virus that will enslave the information elite (hackers
and programmers). The text proposes questions for an information culture like
ours facing technological and informational calamity. What will become of
the gap between the information rich and poor? What is the future of public
access to information? Can librarians in the digital library (cybrarians)
be successful educators? If librarians embrace technology, will it be at the
expense of humanism? Can the cybrarian continue to act as an agent of culture
and enlightenment, as in the past? This article examines the external world
that makes living in an internal virtual world necessary, then explores the
issue of whether the Librarian is a harmful or beneficial creation, and finally
considers the Librarian as a force for civility.”
2. Grassian, Esther and Trueman, Rhonda. “Stumbling, bumbling, teleporting and flying…librarian avatars in Second Life,” Reference Services Review 35 (2006): 84-89. Author Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of issues related to library involvement in a popular virtual world, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORG) Second Life. Design/methodology/approach – Interviews with librarians participating in Second Life expand on the rationale for participating in this 3-D virtual world as well as various uses of Second Life and other new technologies for all types of libraries and librarians. Findings – Benefits to both libraries and librarians from participating in a virtual world like Second Life include opportunities for collaboration, creativity, learning, and global networking with other librarians, educators, and technologists. Originality/value – Virtual worlds are new to most libraries, librarians, and administrators. This interview will be of interest and value to all those interested in extending their reach in reference, collections, and information literacy by pushing out to new technological frontiers and exploring and taking risks in virtual areas where users are going. Read it as pdf
3. Tapley, Rebecca. Designing your
second life : techniques
and inspiration for you to design your ideal parallel universe within the
online community, Second Life. Berkeley: New Riders, 2007.