Patrons (age ten and older) enjoyed taking a test drive with a virtual reality (VR) viewer on February 26 and 28. The “Under Sea Adventure: Blue Whale Encounter and Great Reef Migration,” is a five-minute long, award-winning VR experience that takes you to an interactive, underwater world. VR represents state-of-the-art resource that can enhance just about any discipline, from cartography to psychology, architecture to English. Giving library users access to the latest in educational technologies helps people take an interest in VR technology—and maybe become the developers of tomorrow. Check the SPL online calendar to see the “test drive VR” dates in March.
The Library’s Tech Staff will be running a demo of 3-D printing between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, March 23. Visit the Library to see a 3-D printer create a physical object from a design supplied as a digital file. With the onset of the digital revolution, libraries have assumed a leading role in the effort to help people build the skills they need to thrive in a high-tech world. 3-D printing expands the frontier of the ongoing digital transformation of our society, and library professionals are helping people take advantage of this development.
As Sanibel Public Library enters Phase II of “Your Library Reimagined” project, the facility is open for normal operating hours. Look for the interim “main” entrance and outdoor book drop on the west side of the Library. Phase II makes popular and vital services available—like computers and printers available for patron use, a “New” book section, high speed Wi-Fi, Children and Teen Space, seating areas to read newspapers, outdoor Reading Porch, used books for sale, self-checkout stations, and reference services. The other half of the Library is being renovated for a new Children’s Area, additional service points, Book Sale Room, and modular meeting places. The next phase is expected to be fully operational in early Fall 2018.
No registration is required for any upcoming Library programs. For more information about the Sanibel Public Library, call the Library at (239) 472-2483 or visit online at www.sanlib.org.
VR Quotes & Comments:
“During the second week we have had 39 people try out VR and a total number (including spectators) of 71 interactions. Everyone from age 10 to age 81 has put on the headset! Patrons are responding very positively about the event and the Sanibel Public Library in general.” – Danny Hussey, IT Manager – Sanibel Public Library
“What an unbelievable experience. Absolutely beautiful.” – Library Patron
“I can’t believe how far along this virtual reality stuff has come, it’s great that the library offers things like this. I haven’t seen anything like this.” – Library Patron
“I work for an organization that treats Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and I think this technology could have application for what I do. I am so glad Sanibel Public Library is able to show us these technologies. This has inspired me to look more into this technology in regards to ALS.” – Library Patron
