New York, NY — July 17, 2008 — On August 4th, 2008, and again on August 6th, Alliance Library System, in cooperation with LearningTimes, will offer a one-day conference exploring the possibilities of using virtual worlds to teach literature and to promote its appreciation for people of all ages.

The conference, entitled “Stepping into Literature: Bringing New Life to Books through Virtual Worlds,” will be held entirely in the virtual world of Second Life, allowing participants to attend from any location with a computer and a broadband internet connection.

Whether you teach literature, or are just intrigued by the potential for learning in 3D worlds, we hope you will join us for a meaningful exploration of the instructional possibilities.

Cost to attend is US $65 per person. For group rates (5 or more) write to john at learningtimes dot net. Click here to register: http://tinyurl.com/6ba6nq

Or visit the conference website at:
http://www.steppingintovirtualworlds.org.

Participants will take take part in a virtual book discussion, and take field trips into literature-based locations that have been created in Second Life. You may find yourself in an Edgar Allen Poe poem, visiting a “secret garden” or learning about gothic literature in an authentically spooky mansion.

Keynotes:
Beth Ritter-Gluth (Desideria Stockton in Second Life) will be the keynote speaker and her talk is on “A Vision for Making Literature Come Alive in Virtual Worlds.” She is the creator of “Literature Alive in Second Life” and teaches English and Women’s Studies at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, PA.

The keynote author is Kim Rufer-Bach who will speak on “Using Virtual Worlds to Promote Real Life Literature.” Kimberly is co-author of “Creating Your World: The Official Guide to Advanced Content Creation for Second Life” (Sybex, October 2007) and is currently at work on “The Second Life Grid: The Official Guide to Communication Collaboration, and Community Engagement.”

Full conference schedule and registration information is available at the conference website, http://www.steppingintovirtualworlds.org.

About Alliance Library System
The Alliance Library System is one of nine multitype library systems, cooperating to provide vital library services to the citizens of Illinois. The mission of the Alliance Library System is to facilitate resource sharing, interlibrary loan, continuing education and library consulting within its diverse multi-type membership. The results of this vision are innovative, cost effective multi-type library services that promote excellence plus save members time and money. In return, members take pride of ownership in the cooperative spirit and service excellence that is the Alliance Library System.

About LearningTimes
LearningTimes, LLC, designs and produces online learning conferences, communities and events, and provides the platforms, applications and promotional expertise that make them successful. The LearningTimes Network connects each institution with other learning-oriented groups and provides unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. For more information, contact John Walber at 215-884-7321 or info@learningtimes.net. Visit LearningTimes on the Web at http://www.learningtimes.net.