Augmented Reality for Discovery and Instruction
Jolanda-Pieta van Arnhem, Jerry Spiller · Journal of Web Librarianship · 2014
The authors recount their recent augmented reality project at an academic library serving 10,000 undergraduate and 1,600 graduate students, experimenting with augmented reality to connect vetted resources via interactive print or geolocation. These technologies enable colocation of digital and analog resources and can offer rich experiences to the end user: experiences consisting of text, hypertext, and Web scripting, audio, video, and even 3-D modeling. The authors examine library and academic uses of augmented reality technologies that inspired their own projects. They explore the possibilities offered by using augmented reality to employ contextually situated information inside and outside the library and its holdings. Technical details discussed include multimedia creation and database setup. Potential challenges include the problem of geolocation granularity and cellular signal strength. The iterative and transitory nature of information objects linked by augmented reality is addressed, including the caveat that design processes must include ongoing testing and maintenance. The authors encourage libraries to research and experiment with creative projects, and they suggest practical applications including development of instructional resources that make use of interactive print for contextual delivery.