Doralyn Rossmann
Head of Digital Library Initiatives
Montana State University
The rapid evolution of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 360 video technologies continue to present new and exciting possibilities for libraries. Academic libraries offer spaces, applications, and equipment for faculty and students in association with these technologies. Libraries can go beyond merely providing these resources to being co-creators of new knowledge with these technologies. This presentation explores Montana State University Library’s initial efforts to provide VR resources and subsequent formation of research partnerships with faculty in computer science, film, photography, and biochemistry. Initial research includes using VR to explore the role of bias in interpreting information across disciplines. Early lessons from these partnerships suggest opportunities for libraries to go beyond providing access to VR, AR, and 360 video resources to being active partners in using these technologies to do interdisciplinary research to understand better our user communities.
https://www.montana.edu/vr/
https://www.lib.montana.edu/spaces/virtualdiscovery/