Tips for Launching a Public Library Virtual Reality Program

CCPL added the Oculus Rift and Google Expeditions VR in 2017 and just recently added the Oculus Quest to its VR lineup.

“Our VR rigs are shared systemwide between all six of our branches to offer an introduction to VR through a variety of demos,” Bishop and Kuntz say. “Even three years later, there are still many in our community who have never experienced VR, especially high-end, PC-based VR.”

Libraries are known for supporting literacy, Sant Cruz’s Jones says, noting that it’s “kind of one of their subtext missions.”

“Something that we as an organization like to support is learning opportunities,” he says. “We’re taking VR out of the gaming context and highlighting the software. It’s leaning toward learning to also have something that just aligns better toward the library’s mission.”

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Examples of Virtual Reality in Libraries

CCPL has been able to introduce the community to VR and augmented reality and start the discussion for practical applications for these technologies in industry, healthcare, education and other areas, according to Bishop and Kuntz.

“We have also been able to engage our staff with utilizing VR and other emerging technologies in existing programs, such as using VR to virtually travel to a destination highlighted in a book club discussion,” they say.

CCPL has also used VR in its outreach programming, having high school art students create 3D art in VR as a class and taking VR to local Boys & Girls Club for afterschool programs, as well as to local senior centers, according to Bishop and Kuntz.

“Moving forward, CCPL is working to support content creation for VR and AR with platforms such as Cospaces Edu and Unity, as well as through the opening of a dedicated VR/AR lab at Exploration Commons at 50 East in 2020,” they say.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ VR program has evolved significantly since it was first introduced to the public in early 2018, according to Jones. The library system received a grant to purchase HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift headsets and tower PCs to support them. The library in mid-2018 added two Oculus Go wireless headsets. Throughout 2018, librarians brought the VR headsets to 40 different programs.

At first, the headsets traveled around the 10-branch system and were used for overviews of VR technology and short demos. However, even though the library system was getting positive reviews of these programs, it was not getting the attendance it wanted, Jones says. So, the library pivoted and used extra funds to purchase 360-degree cameras to show off their capabilities in VR.

Still, the library was only getting seven or eight people to show up for such programs, according to Jones, making it difficult to justify the marketing and staffing efforts, as well as the setup time and expenses. 

“Where we’re at today is a strategy of synergizing with other programs,” Jones says. “We’re not trying to do standalone VR events. We’re taking a break on that. We’re finding opportunities that might benefit from the enhancement of a VR experience and joining up with other events.”

In addition to the climate change program, those include a telescope-lending program that enables users to experience outer space in virtual reality.

At Topeka & Shawnee, there is not a permanent VR hardware display, but the library is about to purchase an Oculus Quest and a lower-end HTC VIVE product when it comes out, King says.

VR attracts people who may be more interested in tech, programming or gaming and less interested in watching a movie or reading a book, King says. It also enables the library to connect with things it is trying to do in local schools, such as STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) programs.

“It’s just a new way to do that,” he says. “It keeps that relationship going and building.”

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Best Practices for Launching a Public Library VR Program

Public libraries should consider several factors when deciding to deploy VR, librarians say. Bishop and Kuntz say that includes determining what technology the library is already using and introducing to the community and how AR/VR could fit into such offerings. Additionally, they say, libraries should consider their goals (visual vs. interactive experience), budget (economical vs. higher-end), and IT support (core staff, IT Department or outside expertise).

Staffing considerations are critical, Jones says, since new technologies like VR require dedicated time and attention from staff. “It’s going to take somebody there to manage it,” he says. “You can’t set it out like you would an internet terminal.”

To justify that staffing time, Jones suggest libraries have a partner or program that would make regular use of the VR hardware.

Staff also needs to be trained on the technology, King notes. “A lot of libraries don’t have a lot of IT department staff to be babysitting it,” he says. “It’s up to us to train public service librarians who are going to be doing the programs.”

Bishop and Kuntz say libraries need to consider how to get administration and staff support, how to get funding and how the tech will be used in programming. Another suggestion: Try before you buy. “Think of some places you can try VR hardware before purchasing for your library, such as another library, university, school, museum, vendor, or at a tech meetup,” they say.