St. Johns County libraries will soon offer patrons the chance to experience more of their world via virtual reality.
Southeast Branch Manager Todd Booth said the library system has secured a nearly $3,000 state grant to buy eight Oculus Go VR headsets and assorted apps.
“It’s going to be a floating collection that will travel throughout the county’s library system. And each library branch can use it for programming for children, adults or teens,” said Booth.
The plan calls for the six library branches to hold classes where people will use the VR goggles to learn about a variety of topics: “…the solar system or the anatomy of the body. Or even just for fun things—they have virtual roller coasters or a virtual tour through a rainforest. So it’s a way to both educate and entertain,” said Booth.
He is still deciding which VR experiences to buy for the library.
And one day, Booth would like to have enough goggles to loan some out to schools and senior centers, and maybe even individuals.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.
