Freedom and Independence in Virtual Worlds: a Conversation with Tom Bukowski

Sunday, Sept. 21, 1pm SLT
Virtual American Anthropologist Amphitheater, Anteater Island
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Anteater%20Island/71/108/24

The Alexandrian Free Library is pleased to present a second discussion led by Tom Bukowski, author of the book Coming of Age in SecondLife. This discussion will focus on the concepts of freedom and independence, and how these concepts are expressed in a virtual world such as SecondLife. It will be the first September Project event ever held in SecondLife.

We will consider topics such as these: What does freedom mean in a place where you can literally look and behave like anyone or anything you wish? How do individuals and communities on SL decide what customs they will follow? Why do many people on SecondLife choose to participate in lifestyles that severely restrict their virtual freedom? What does independence mean in a world that belongs to a private corporation? How much of what we do on SecondLife is determined by the code that runs SL and how much is actually open to our own choice?

For more information about the September Project, please see http://theseptemberproject.wordpress.com/

Campfire Storytelling - Tales of Freedom and Independence

Steelhead Public Library
Sunday Sept. 28 - 6pm

Steelhead Public Library Garden, Steelhead City
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/123/185/24

Description:
Please join us as Diogenes Kuhr of Deadwood leads a campfire storytime focusing on stories of freedom and independence. We will meet under the stars in the library garden, a perfect setting for Ms Kurh's tales of the old west. If time permits, the audience will also share some stories of their own.

A Message from Project Co-founder David Silver

Welcome to the 5th annual September Project!

The September Project is a grassroots effort to encourage events about freedom and democracy in all libraries in all countries during the month of September. September Project events are free and organized locally.

In 2004, we began the September Project to break the silence following September 11, and to invite all people into libraries to consider topics of patriotism, democracy, and citizenship. Initially, events focused on September 11 and largely took place on September 11. As the project evolved, events spread throughout the month of September and focused on issues of freedom and democracy.

To date, public, academic, school, and government libraries around the world have organized September Project book displays, community book readings, childrens' art projects, film screenings, theatrical performances, civic deliberations, voter registrations, murals, panel discussions, and so much more. What will this year bring?

How can you participate? Organize an event at your library, and tell us about it! We'll post all events on this site as they develop around the world.
David Silver

An Invitation to Join Us

The Steelhead Public Library will be participating in the September Project this year, and we would like to invite the other libraries of SecondLife to join us.

If you aren't familiar with the September Project, it's a grassroots effort that takes place in libraries all around the world. During the month of September, participating libraries have some sort of event that focuses on the concepts of Democracy and Freedom. The event can be anything you choose - past events have included book discussions, library displays, storytelling sessions, art exhibits, performance by a local theater troup, and a wide variety of other activities.

For more information, see the blogs listed in the sidebar.

If your library would like to take part in the September Project, all you need to do is organise an event and tell me about it so I can post it to our central site. You can either send a notecard to Riven Homewood inworld, or email slseptemberproject@gmail.com.