In a departure from what you’d expect from a traditional library, one US university has invested in VR technologies and is offering VR lending, experiences and forums at its library. Tim Kridel finds out more from Pete Schreiner, North Carolina State University Libraries fellow.
TK: How did the North Carolina State University (NCSU) library system decide to start using VR? For example, how does it fit with trends in library science?
PS: VR provides new ways to interact with information and media and that is at the heart of library science. As VR becomes more prevalent in entertainment, education, business, training, etc., librarians are naturally interested in fostering patrons' use of the technology.
At NCSU Libraries, we strive to put emerging technologies in students' hands quickly so they can use these tools in their education and careers. Providing access to VR is a natural continuation of that goal. The library is an ideal location for this, since it is open to all students and faculty, as opposed to specific departments which may have technology available only to those enrolled in a particular field of study. As with other technologies, people need to try it to discover how it can be applied to improve their work.
TK: How are NCSU libraries using VR?
PS: Here's a link to a recent short article:
https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/news/vr-all-summer-long. We approach emerging tech like VR with a standard four-point plan: