Information Resources in Second Life: The Info Island

Abstract

Second Life (SL) is a virtual space that simulates several aspects of the physical world in a 3D environment: social, cultural, professional and organizational. The Info Island, the largest island of libraries in SL, offers different information which allows the integration of users who frequent the islands. With regard to this context, the objective of this research was to identify and analyze the profile of the librarians, services, products and information resources available on the island. The data collection was done by the attendants of the libraries of Info Island. In order to accomplish this task, two instruments were used: observation and questionnaires. The survey results indicate that half of the professionals working in the libraries of the island have degrees in Information Science. The respondents stated that they offer information products and services, including: guidance about the virtual world and organizing and conducting lively discussions. Some of the services and products offered on the island are peculiar to the activities performed in physical libraries, especially in public ones, for example, meeting the author. The Info Island allows people from different parts of the world, with different interests, to explore the information resources, as it has the same service capacity of existing physical libraries.