In September 2014, I visited The Chamber Library, the literary project undertaken by Storm Septimus which presents visitors with the opportunity to relax with works of literature and poetry from a wide range of authors, including TS Eliot, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Voltaire, HG Wells and The Brothers Grimm – with more titles and authors being added.

However, a lot has changed wince that first post, and so I thought I’d start 2015 off with a return visit – or rather, a visit to the Library’s new location. Because that is perhaps the biggest change wrought; rather than sitting high over a mainland region, the Library now occupies a homestead region of its own entitled Decay (aka Hall of Heroes).

The Library is still located up in the air, but there is now a ground-level location to visit as well, centred on an ageing conservatory. This lies in the midst of a flooded land, a place where the sea has already laid claim to the lowest level of the local lighthouse, a place canted at an angle, perhaps broken and tipped by the ebb and flow of tides washing away the sands around its base. Close by, stranded on its side lies the hulk of a trawler, long deserted.

Slowly being encroached upon by water on all sides, the conservatory nevertheless offers a place to sit and pass the time, or dance for a while. Clues to the Library’s presence can be found – a typewriter with faded pages scattered around it, a small pile of books on a table, and a chaise lounge with bookcase behind it, watched over by two ravens. Should you find yourself landing in the conservatory whilst trying to reach the Library – look to this bookcase for assistance.

The overall design of the Library remains as it was during its incarnation at Hugues, the main difference being that it currently comprises just two levels (a third was in development at Hugues), and each level (I think) has more chambers than previously. Some of the décor has been changed, and not every chamber (yet) offers bookcases, but all present opportunities to sit and read, or chat quietly with a friend. Teleporters in the form of wooden doors link the levels of the Library and the Library to the ground, but do be aware they can be a tad bit bouncy!

Short stories and poems are preferred, and Storm is always looking for contributions; there is a large section devoted to resident’s own original writings, The INFO sign on the floor of the arrival chamber offers details on the Library, and pointers for those wishing to provide material. Reading matter can be obtained by clicking on a bookcase of interest, browsing the list of available titles and then picking something you’d like to read, which will be delivered in note card format.

In September 2014, I noted that The Chamber Library offered an interesting addition to Second Life; with this move, it will hopefully become even more of a feature, and one people will both visit and make use of.

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