Libr-AR-y Tours: Increasing engagement and scalability of library tours using augmented reality

Abstract

Orienting patrons to library spaces, collections, and services is an important, but time-intensive, challenge for many librarians. Library tours are one strategy commonly employed to familiarize patrons with library spaces and services. Augmented reality provides a new opportunity for librarians to develop engaging and interactive unmediated tours. Augmented reality tours provide participants with an opportunity to explore library spaces and service points while affording librarians the chance to share valuable information about those spaces and services. This article details how one library constructed an augmented reality tour and shares assessment-based insights into participant responses to the augmented reality format.

Keywords:

• Assessment
• augmented reality
• library tours
• outreach
• scavenger hunts

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Elizabeth German and Nelson Shake for their work on the project to develop the AR Tour as well as Susie Goodwin, David Hubbard, and Sean Buckner for their feedback on a draft of this article.