Virtual world libraries : challenges and strategies

Abstract

Virtual World environments provide libraries with an opportunity to overcome many of the challenges faced by traditional online library interfaces, add some of the benefits of physical environments in a virtual space, and draw on some of the engaging features of online video game systems. This research project begins to unpack and explore the benefits and challenges of virtual world libraries, using a qualitative methodological approach. This has involving in-depth interviews with a range of users and librarians in Second Life, a popular Virtual World. The comments of research participants and my own observations reveal several important questions to be considered in the design of virtual world libraries in the future. These can be summarised into three areas that designers can focus on: Social Networking, Navigation and Discovery, and Usability and Interactivity. I have some degree of success in suggesting ways that video game design strategies can be applied to improving these three areas in virtual world libraries, and also am able to suggest directions for future research into virtual world library development strategies.