 Hey! IT'S HEEEEERE!!!!!!!!!!
Deborah Lynch
|
Communications Officer
|
(916) 651-6452
|
June 7, 2017
|
Virtual Reality Arrives in California Libraries
Sacramento,
Calif. — Libraries
have long served as a place to explore new subjects and learn about the world.
A new collaboration between the California State Library and Oculus VR, a
division of Facebook Inc., will bring virtual reality technology to patrons in
nearly half of the library jurisdictions throughout California.
“Oculus
is proud of our work with the California State Library and Califa to make
virtual reality technology available through local libraries,” said Cindy Ball,
program manager for Oculus Education. “Californians will gain access to a wide
range of enhanced services, from curriculum that takes students into outer
space to providing hands-on training in skills like engine repair and beyond.”
“Virtual Reality is a generational leap in the services
that our libraries provide” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas. “Just
as computers have become a critical part of our libraries, this generous gift
from Facebook and Oculus will bring new technology to libraries from Redding to
San Diego.”
Each of
the participating library systems will be awarded one or two Rifts and Oculus
Ready PCs from Facebook and Oculus free of charge. Alongside the virtual
reality equipment, libraries will be provided online training and the
opportunity to also receive free or reduced cost virtual reality programs and
equipment. Libraries will receive their equipment and training this month and
will be able to begin offering virtual reality programs in late June or early
July.
This
project is managed by Califa, a nonprofit, and is supported in part by the U.S.
Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library
Services and Technology Act.
“I think this VR project demonstrates what
libraries do so well with new technologies,” said Paula MacKinnon, Interim
Director of Califa, the non-profit managing the project. “We start curating the
exceptional, the compelling, and the intriguing educational content that is
newly being published and provide our communities with the means to enjoy it— for
free.”
Partial
funding also comes from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under
the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
John
MacLeod, Executive Director of New Media Learning, which developed the pilot project
of this new system at the Marin County Free Libraries, noted that the arrival
of this new technology in California libraries will not only benefit
Californians, but also the companies pioneering the new technology.
“There
will be a community space where people can come together, experience virtual
reality, and help shape how that medium will be developed over the coming years”
said MacLeod.
Check here to see if your
library jurisdiction is a part of the
Virtual Reality Experience Project: Participating
Libraries.
(We are!)
(And we're so excited!!)
(We are!)
(And we're so excited!!)
Califa is a not-for-profit membership cooperative
serving libraries and information organizations in California. Established in
2004 with LSTA funding from the California State Library, Califa collaborates
with members and provides leadership for cooperative negotiations to help
ensure that members receive quality information resources.
About the State Library: Founded in 1850, the California State Library has an extensive
collection of documents from and about the state’s rich history, ranging from books,
maps, miners’ diaries, newspapers and periodicals to photographs, paintings and
posters. The State Library also holds federal and state publications and is
home to both the Bernard E. Witkin State Law Library and the Braille and
Talking Book Library. www.library.ca.gov