Virtual Reality

The SJSU School of Information is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, and it is important that our students are exposed to various emerging technologies impacting the library and information science field. According to the American Library Association, virtual reality is an important current and future trend. One of the emerging technologies the iSchool is actively exploring is browser-based virtual environments. 

Browser-based virtual reality is also one of the easiest VR technologies to learn to use and no special equipment is needed. These three-dimensional environments can be accessed using a computer or you can access it with a VR headset. We chose to use Mozilla Hubs code because it’s “…an open source project that explores how communication in mixed reality can come to life.” (Hubs by Mozilla, Mozilla) 

The iSchool Hubs VR project allows students, faculty, and staff to have their own alternative meeting space, or to learn at their own pace how to build these highly customizable environments that are hosted on our servers.  Hubs rooms can be used as an alternative to Zoom for meetings (with similar features), but the possibilities are endless. Users can also collaborate with others to create joint projects. To see how this kind technology is currently used in some libraries for such creative exhibits, please see the links below. 

Browser-Based VR: Library Examples

San José State University’s King Library has several virtual reality exhibits on a different browser-based platform that works very similarly to Hubs. These exhibits allow remote visitors to become immersed within environments showcasing cultural and historical artifacts. 

NOTE: Firefox browser is recommended. To navigate, use the W (forward), A (left), S (backward), D (right). To rotate around, click your mouse on the screen and drag it around the room.

Art of Rememberance

Listen to music and navigate a beautiful alley to explore offredas (altars) that commemorate loved ones for the Day of the Dead festival. These altars are physical objects replicated in the digital environment via photogrammetry. Click on the hummingbird that follows you for narration. View the room at https://8aa54d80d2064b78a9270bee2ec0e3d8.us-west-2.sumerian.aws/ 

Festival of Lanterns

This exhibit celebrates Asian Pacific Heritage Month and features Chinese brush painting on hanging lanterns. Visit the different rooms to see 60 different painted lanterns created by the Chan Lim family of artists. Explore and learn more about the symbolism of this art form and the artists. View the room at https://library.sjsu.edu/festivaloflanterns 

Spartan Quest: Social Justice and Campus Connections

This is an immersive experience of some of the key locations and historical events related to social justice on the campus of San Jose State University. You’ll see where on the map where each building or sculpture exists, and there will be an enlarged photogrammetry model that appears in the room. Click on the butterflies for narration. View the room at https://de04884c2652458ab4fe5950c5e717d7.us-west-2.sumerian.aws/