In a world with increasing interconnectivity, the boundaries of learning resources available to those in an educational setting extend far beyond the walls of the brick-and-mortar institute. Most learning resource centers will have a virtual component, whether it is simply an online card catalog or something more ambitious. In charge of establishing a virtual presence for the new Learning Resource Center at the MLI, the presenter maps out some potentials for such a facility, assuming optimal use of available synchronous and asynchronous web-based tools to promote learner-centered, constructivist, and socioculturally oriented collaborative online learning environments.

This presentation will describe a Virtual Learning Resource Center under conception at the MLI. Starting from a computer-based mock-up of an actual LRC, the presenter will show how a virtual world of educational resources can be opened by clicking on hotspots on the shelves and walls. This world will open onto numerous educational resources available for free and for subscription in the online environment. Not only can the walls of a reference library be extended indefinitely in this way, but the presenter will show how other learners and language practitioners in cyberspace can be contacted and included in a healthy and productive educational environment. Numerous practical examples will be shown of sites and resources that can be accessed by teachers and learners asynchronously as well as synchronously. The examples shown will be focused on those that promote language learning but may apply to other fields as well.