In June, Ken Varnum put out a call for proposal for the second edition of this Top Technologies book. Of the 38 proposals he received, 11 address virtual or augmented reality, an indication of the strong interest in the topic. He considered proposals to be of good quality and showing an intereresting range, but of course, it’s too many to run in a book that aims to offer an overview of a range of technologies. With my encouragement, he proposes to take 1 proposals and publish as a separate book. Virtual reality headsets start at around $1,, within economic reach of most libraries. The potential of “assisted reality” tools goes well beyond inviting patrons to experience virtual reality experience. A couple examples of applications of augmented, virtual, or mixed reality tools in libraries include: enhanced training or enriching digital collections with a third party appBelow are chapter proposals already in, which Varnum is ready to approve with our acceptance of the proposal. Chapters (4-45 words each)1. Virtual Reality for Improved library instruction (Felicia Smith, Stanford University)2. Virtual Reality Workstations (Matt Cook and Zack Lischer-Katz, University ofOklahoma Libraries)3. Virtual Reality for Learning and Teaching (Bohyun Kim, University of Maryland)4. Virtual Reality for Education (Brandon Patterson, Tallie Casucci, Thomas (TJ)Ferrill, and Greg Hatch, Eccles Health Sciences Library & J. Willard MarriottLibrary -- University of Utah)5. Virtual Reality as Collaboration Space (R. Bruce Jensen, Kutztown University)6. Video 36 (Plamen Miltenoff, St. Cloud State University)7. Augmented Reality and User Privacy (Brigitte Bell and Terry Cottrell, Universityof St. Francis)8. Augmented Reality in Public Libraries (Austin Olney, White Plains [New York]Public Library)9. Augmented Reality for Museums and Special Collection Libraries (Chad Clark,Highland Park Public Library)1. Mixed Reality (Elisandro Cabada, University of Minnesota)
Kenneth J. Varnum is senior program manager for discovery, delivery, and learning analytics at the University of Michigan Library. In this role, he is responsible for the library s discovery interfaces (the MLibrary single search tool, ArticlesPlus, Search Tools, etc.), link resolution and content delivery interfaces, and the library s evolving and emerging learning analytics infrastructure. Over his two decades working with public-facing technology in academic, corporate, and special libraries, he has gained a deep appreciation and understanding of the need to tailor systems and interfaces to the local user base.
