Immersive Learning (Gaming) Librarian appointed
The University Library is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawn McCann to the position of Immersive Learning (Gaming) Librarian. Shawn comes to us from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where he is the Digital Projects Librarian and has also held the position Web Librarian. Shawn’s official start date is August 1 2007. Shawn’s primary responsibility will be for exploring, creating, supporting and promoting library resources through gaming and virtual worlds. In particular, he brings strong technical skills; library experience; grant writing; classroom teaching experience; and, of course, a personal interest in gaming.
We believe this is the first position of its kind. The hiring of an Immersive Learning Librarian places McMaster in a leadership position. This position will provide an opportunity for the libraries to provide leadership in research, teaching and learning through the implementation of gaming environments and virtal worlds.
April 27, 2007 at 12:22 am
Congratulations, Jeff & Shawn. We hope to see you both at Internet Librarian 2007, Oct 29-31, Monterey CA (www.infotoday.com/il2007) since we’re planning lots of conversations about gaming!
Jane Dysart
April 27, 2007 at 7:43 pm
[...] has just appointed a Immersive Learning (Gaming) Librarian. This may be a first for Canadian libraries. It is part of a transformation that is happening to [...]
April 28, 2007 at 6:09 pm
It sure is great that we’re getting a gaming librarian at the same time as the real-world, usable collection is being cut back and resources are harder and harder to come by. Perhaps some reference librarians, or an information person who can provide some information would be useful. Does a ‘gaming librarian’ help us get access to missing resources? Will he help get the library to email out recall notices, rather than mail them with stamps? Can we create a ‘game’ that gets books out of storage with less wait time, and a higher success rate than we have right now? Oh well, at least the library has its priorities in order! Why buy books when we can have games?
April 28, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Congrats Shawn! Excellent way to promote the contemporary library!
-from a former student and fellow Scion owner ;->
April 29, 2007 at 2:08 am
Shawn …
Much success to you in your new venture! We’ll miss you at WSU!
April 30, 2007 at 5:17 am
[...] Gaming Librarian RecruitedThe University Library of McMaster University has recently added the position of Immersive Learning [...]
May 1, 2007 at 2:41 am
HardPlay - Game-based Learning for Information Seekers
Hot on the heels of the McMaster announcement about the appointment of their Immersive Learning (Gaming) Librarian comes word from two of my U of C colleagues about a related research project. Jerremie Clyde and Chris Thomas are putting together
May 1, 2007 at 4:13 am
I’d like to respond to the student who asks about this position in relationship to new resources, greater access to information and improved systems. The Immersive Learning Librarian will, in fact, be involved in all of those areas.
New resources: this position will be working along with our new Digital Strategies Librarian to make new resources accessible through new systems (like virtual worlds and gaming). See our announcement about the digitization of WWI trench maps: http://ulatmac.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/partnership-with-perimeterdigital/ These new resources will combine traditional resources, new knowledge, and new systems.
Greater access to information: this position will be working with other librarians at McMaster to staff a new reference service point in Second Life. We are, therefore, expanding our reference service to include this new virtual world. See: http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/story.cfm?id=4660
Finally, this position, along with our new Digital Technologies Librarian, will be exploring new systems for the library with enhanced functionality.
Watch for more to come!
May 1, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Wow, this sounds like the perfect position for Shawn. Congrats!
May 2, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I’ve been writing about immersive environments on our wiki
UBC Health library wiki
http://hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca/index.php?title=Web_2.0
And, watching to see McMaster’s announcement about a gaming librarian. I think that there are real synergies between what a gaming librarian does, and what VR and IEs are used in medicine.
Have a look at our social software session in Ottawa, too:
http://hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca/index.php?title=Web_2.0
Dean Giustini
OM blogger
blog.openmedicine.ca
May 3, 2007 at 12:14 pm
[...] just announced our pilot project in Second Life and a new position dedicated to development of immersive learning/gaming environments. I’m very pleased that [...]
May 4, 2007 at 5:35 pm
[...] who will be looking into virtual worlds, gaming, and other immersive environments. Congrats to Shawn McCann! I hope to be working with him on our Second Life presence and I’m sure he’ll have some [...]
May 5, 2007 at 5:05 pm
[...] who will be looking into virtual worlds, gaming, and other immersive environments. Congrats to Shawn McCann! I hope to be working with him on our Second Life presence and I’m sure he’ll have some great [...]
July 4, 2007 at 9:51 pm
[...] University Library in California has appointed an Immersive Learning (Gaming) Librarian. To quote: Shawn’s primary responsibility will be for exploring, creating, supporting and [...]