A Study On Information Service Based On Second Life In Chinese University Libraries

Second life, is a 3-demintion virtual world based on internet and a product of virtual reality technology. In 2003, American Linden lab firstly opens SL to the public. After logging in SL, users can quickly and directly check the object's information such as location, environment, with no limitations of time and space. This results in the integration of virtual world and the real one. Things like service, manufacture, entertainment and education are applied in virtual world now. Library organizations have already begun to establish virtual libraries to supply information and study the need of new users as well as resolve the limitations of real libraries.Chinese university libraries, as an important base of education and head of the world of Chinese libraries, play a very important role in information supply. Therefore, to such a new environment that extends service to a great amount of new users, is there any necessity and possibility that deserves discussions. This research analyses the importance of service in SL for Chinese university libraries from the aspects of its meanings and value. It demonstrates the possibility of SL in Chinese university libraries from request, cost, security and Humanities. After studying current foreign university libraries in SL, it proposes a model for Chinese university libraries and 3 child modes. This paper aims at transferring service to virtual libraries, finding the defects and resolving them, meanwhile, launches the service that is unavailable in reality to virtual world.