ACRL-Virtual Worlds Interest Group Program, December 13, 2013

"Avatar Librarians: Fashion, Appearance and Identity in Second Life"

 

presented by:

Renne Emiko Brock-Richmond, Instructor, Monterey Peninsula College

(Zinnia Zauber in Second Life)

and

Marcia Meister, University of California, Davis

(Hyacinth Cortes in Second Life)
 

 

For this program, Marcia provided an introduction to concepts and implications of avatar appearance and it's impact on Librarian identity in Second Life.

 

 

 

She examined how stereotypes and self-image  might influence how librarians are perceived as professionals in vitural worlds. She pointed out that immersive environments aim for authentic, realistic representation and, that appearance and dress are two of the important tools librarians have of constructing identities for themselves as professionals in Second Life.  These aspects really do have an impact on relationships and interactions in virtual worlds.

 

 

 

 

Marcia provided an overview of current research on avatar appearance in virtual worlds and  highlighted the findings of a study that examined how librarians establish "professional identitys" in Second Life.  A study by Lorri Mon found that an upgraded avatar appearance was necessary to convey credibility, help create professional identity and build levels of trust while provding information services within Second Life.

 

 

The current literature suggests that one of the tools avatar librarians can use to help establish strong social networking connections and a sense of authenticity in their interactions with Second Life residents is achieved by upgrading avatar appearance.  Findings suggest that avatar appearance and dress DO help convey professional credibility to residents of virtual worlds.

 

 

  For the second part of this program, Renne Brock-Richmond highlighted activities and principals  she uses in her workshops, to help virtual world educators & librarians create authentic avatars.

 

 

Using comparisons with story elements, she demonstrated how virtual world professionals could create awareness and highlight their own identities by working on their avatar's appearance.

 

Renne's holistic approach considered everything from the mission of librarians in virtual worlds to facets one should consider when developoing one's avatar appearance.

 

 

 

The activities that participants of her workshops engage in are designed to show, that, for librarians and educators working in Second Life, ones' avatar is a visual representation of  who you are, and what you represent.  Ones' avatar becomes an expression of ones'  prefessional reputation.