About the CPS Dept of Libraries in Second Life
The Chicago Public Schools Department of Libraries & Information Services (DLIS) has joined a growing contingency of libraries and educational institutions in the multi-user virtual environment “Second Life”. Visit our virtual office in the Talis Building on Cybrary City (16, 81, 29). This office was established free of charge, due to a grant provided to the Alliance Library System. The office frequently receives several dozen visitors a day and was established to share information about our department’s activities and resources.
When you enter the high-rise Talis Building on the southwest side of the island, touch the first floor door to enter and then right-click on the blue disk on the floor to teleport to the second floor. When you arrive at the office, touch the gold ball to take a notecard which overviews department information - and pick up your free CPS virtual t-shirt. Next, touch the blue sphere to get an inventory landmark to assist you in easily teleporting to the office in the future. Then, see the DLIS slideshow for an overview of the department. Read the Mayor Daley’s Book Club book. Click on computers with links to websites and databases of interest to CPS students, teachers, and parents. Touch the various bookshelves and books to read and download books and poems. There are two seating areas in the office - a comfortable seating area and a conference table which expands to seat up to ten persons. CPS librarians and teachers are welcome to use these areas to hold their own small-group virtual meetings.
You will likely want to join several groups when you arrive so that you can receive announcements and event information. Search for and join the group Friend of Chicago Public Schools. Librarians will want to join the group Librarians of Second Life. All librarians and teachers will want to join the ISTE group, as well. Later, IM the DLIS area library coordinator Lisa Perez as the avatar Elaine Tulip to learn more about the educational resources in Second Life. We look forward to seeing you in-world!
