1. Libraries and…
VIRTUAL WORLDS FOR KIDS,
TEENS AND TWEENS

2. Virtual worlds for kids and
teens
 Whyville
 Webkinz
 Teen Second Life
 Doll Palace
 Furcadia
 World of Warcraft
 Club Penguin

3. “Game” versus “virtual
world”
 Virtual world -
persistent, multiuser, economy, activities like
the real world, web browser, real world
activities
 Game – Try to earn
points, fighting, goals, etc.
 Avatars – digital representation of person in
both

4. Virtual worlds update
 Gartner Research Group predicts by 2011, 80
percent of Internet users will be using virtual
worlds
 Immersive environments – Kids can learn
about all kinds of things and experience them
and engage in them, learn by doing
 New virtual worlds appearing all the time

5. Why should libraries be
involved in virtual worlds?
 Our patrons are there – we need to be where
our patrons are!
 Usage of virtual worlds is increasing
 New education platform
 New role for librarians as information guide
and information experience designers

6. Whyville

7. Teen Second Life