2013 Charleston Conference

Augmented Reality technologies that enhance physical locations with information in various formats, including text, audio, video, 3d modeling and geolocation, are a great fit for library outreach and building inroads to services and collections. Web4LIb has included augmented reality applications in a select group of “emerging technologies of today that are likely to be at the core of ‘standard’ library offerings in the not-distant future” (Varnum, 2013).

The presenters recently created an augmented reality app prototype that can be used for discovery at the College of Charleston Libraries, using phones and tablets to expand serendipity on the shelves to making deeper connections to all collections from around the campus and town. Head of Technology Support Services Jolanda-Pieta (Joey) van Arnhem and Web and Interactive Media instructor Jerry Spiller will take attendees through the design of an experience that gets people browsing again, making the most of augmented reality to productively highlight collections, link out to library resources and serve as a navigational and educational discovery tool for patrons. The experience focuses on using image scanning capabilities that focus on visual resources located within the library, where geolocation services would not be granular enough to work. Charleston Conference participants are encouraged to experiment with the tools firsthand by scanning artwork showcased at the College of Charleston’s Addlestone Library.