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Materials List

A Wi-Fi connection

Google Cardboard

Viewers

Headphones

Comfortable seating

Signage

Instructions

Setting up a VR Hangout Space Virtual Reality (VR) is a rapidly expanding digital medium that presents exciting new possibilities for storytelling! Whilst it is still early days for VR platforms, most of which are quite expensive, libraries are in an important position to provide users with access to this emergent technology. Google Cardboard is a super clever, low-cost, virtual reality (VR) viewer designed to be used with most Android and iOS smartphones. The viewer can be used to view a variety of content including 360 videos, VR stories and VR games. Setting up a hangout space for library users to access Google Cardboard viewers is a simple and accessible way to provide access to VR content. With over 80% of Australian phone owners already using smart phones, it’s likely that most of your library users will already have the technology they need with them. This resource is a starting point to some simple ways which you can enable users to use their own smart-phones to engage with VR content in your library space.

Step 1 – Skill yourself up! Exploring new technology is a process of

self-discovery. In setting up a VR Hangout space for library users, it’s important for staff that will be supporting the space to own their own learning journey with the technology, feel equipped and be comfortable sharing it with others.

Take a look through the ‘Instructional Signage’ attached to this resource and use your own smartphone to go step-by-step through the process.

Explore the different apps we have identified already, or go further and discover your own.

Share these skills with your colleagues–if you can, arrange a team training session to get everyone up to speed.

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Step 2 – Design and Setup your VR Hangout space.

Choose a space in the library that is visible! Seeing the VR viewers that are available, and seeing others using them will spark an interest in potential users.

Set up a space that people would like to spend a bit of time in; provide tables and seating that is inviting and comfortable. Viewing VR material is just like watching any other media content–a comfy seat makes a big difference!

Create some simple but clear signage inviting users to take a seat, and use their own smart phone to experience VR.

Print and install the ‘Instructional Signage’ attached to this resource. Feel free to add and edit these resources to suit your library context. Make sure you include signage that encourages users, if needed, to contact library staff for support.

Headphones are an important part of this space, to ensure that VR users get a full spectrum experience, whilst ensuring quiet to those in the library who need it.

It’s up to you whether you leave your viewers and headphones out on display, or if you require users to check them out from a service point. Whilst security is important, remember that having to approach staff to check out equipment can be a barrier to engagement.

You can only grow if you’re willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.

Brian Tracy

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Step 3 – Skill up others!

Now you have skilled yourself up and setup a VR Hangout Space, it’s time to invite users to engage with it.

Make sure you are available to support those interested in using your Hangout Space and VR technology.

Of course with any technology there are always issues that will arise. Read the ‘Troubleshooting’ section of this document to get a head start and tips for some issues you may encounter

If you think there would be demand for it, you could also organise a programmed activity; a ‘Google Cardboard VR Experience workshop.’ Users could book in with a confident VR skilled staff member and get trained how to setup their smartphone for VR, along with some guided exploration of content.

Make sure to document and share images of your library users exploring VR in your library space! Images can make for great promo on websites or social media, or could come in handy for reporting purposes too.

If you never did

you should. These things are fun

and fun is good.

Dr. Seuss

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Troubleshooting 1. Wi-Fi access. It may be important to users to confirm that they are not using their own

mobile data while in your library space, so making sure they are connected to Wi-Fi is an important first step.

2. Digital Literacy. As you most likely already know, the digital literacy of your library users may vary widely. Some of your users may have very little understanding of the functionality of their smartphone, and others may be able to show you a thing or two. It’s important to provide support to all experience levels, whilst at the same time letting users know that library staff themselves are on their own journey of learning, and may only be able to provide support to a certain level. Situations where a gap in understanding or knowledge presents itself, can be used to encourage discovery of a solution together!

3. Compatibility. The age of a smartphone phone and operating system does make a difference. Not all smartphones are able to be used to access VR. Generally, phones that are less than 3 years old, and that have a recent software update can be used to access most of the apps on the list. Android devices require an operating system of version 4.1 or higher, and Apple iOS devices require version 8.0 or higher

4. Accounts. In order to download apps from the Play Store (Android) or the AppStore (iOS), smartphone users will need to have or register for an account on that service. It’s important to note that neither of these stores requires users to input a payment method, and that much of the VR content they can access is free.

5. Content. As with much of the internet, there is an over-abundance of VR apps, but not all of them are created equal. Check out our ‘recommended content list’ to save a bit of time and jump straight into the good stuff. If you’ve got any suggestions, please contact us so we can add your recommendations to our list!

6. Parental engagement. As with any online content, encourage parents to be active participants in the VR experiences their children are engaging with.

7. Split Screen. You will notice that when your smartphone enters VR mode, there should be 2 of the same image on each side of the screen. Use the line in between to line up with the notch in the middle of the cardboard viewer. If you are ‘seeing double’ when you look through your viewer, you know that your screen needs aligning in the viewer.

8. Health & Safety. VR is known to cause mild nausea in some users, particularly when used for and extended duration. Encourage users to take breaks!

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Recommended VR Apps compatible with Google Cardboard viewers

App Content Type

Description

Google Cardboard

Tutorials & Demonstrations

This app is a great place to start with Google Cardboard viewers. Do the tutorial, and experience a range of VR Demos.

YouTube 360° Videos Youtube hosts heaps of 360° video content. Search "#360Video" to browse content.

Google Street View

360° Maps Travel the world in VR!

WITHIN

360° Videos WITHIN is an app that offers a range of 360° videos that explore new styles of story-telling.

Jaunt VR

360° Videos Jaunt VR is another app that offers a range of 360° videos exploring new styles of story-telling.

Discovery VR

360° Videos Short VR documentaries from all over the world, produced by the Discovery Channel