Augmented reality applications have potential uses in libraries by overlaying digital information on physical spaces and collections. For example, an AR app could reveal additional details about library materials on shelves or show where related online resources are located. Library tours or instructional tutorials could also be offered through AR by providing contextual information at relevant locations. While few libraries currently use AR, it may help connect physical and virtual library resources by making digital content accessible directly in the physical library.

1. Augmented Reality @ Libraries
Nalsi
2010.6.5
@IG2.04

4. Definition by Ronald Azuma (1997, via
Wikipedia)
• combines real and virtual
• is interactive in real time
• is registered in 3D

5. Like many other technologies, AR
applications were used very early (in
the middle of 20th century), the
concept itself appeared early too
(1990’). However, this technology is
greatly put forward by the use of
computers and mobile devices.

7. Source:
http://img1.cache.netease.com/catchpic/B/BF/BF6AB87A6CD8B2
6D0B5247707600C649.png

8. Pew’s report: MOBILE ACCESS TO DATA
AND INFORMATION (2008)
• 62% of all Americans are part of a wireless,
mobile population that participates in digital
activities away from home or work
Source:
http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/R
eports/2008/PIP_Mobile.Data.Access.pdf.pdf

10. Nielson’s report: App playbook
• 21% of American wireless subscribers have a
smartphone at Q4 2009, up from 19% in the
previous quarter and significantly higher than
the 14% at the end of 2008.
• http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_m
obile/the-state-of-mobile-apps/

11. Some general applications
• Layar browser
• Around me
• iTacitus project

12. Layar browser
• The Layar Reality Browser shows what is around
you by displaying real time digital information on
top of the real world as seen through the camera
of your mobile phone.
• Layar works by using a combination of the mobile
phone’s camera, compass and GPS data to
identify the user’s location and field of view,
retrieve data based on those geographical
coordinates, and overlay that data over the
camera view.

13. Layar browser’s layers
Screenshot: http://site.layar.com/catalog/

14. Layar’s applications: games
World’s first AR flashmob

15. Layar’s applications: games, continue
Splinter Cell: Conviction

16. Layar’s applications: 4qr and wikipedia

17. Layar’s applications: “找房子”

18. Around Me
• AroundMe shows you a complete list of all the
businesses in the category you have tapped on
along with the distance from where you are.
For every listing you can choose to see its
location on a Map, view the route from where
you are, add the information to your contact
list or even email the information to a friend.

20. Source:
http://blog.tweakersoft.com/post/334207463/aroundme-
3-5-0-available-now

21. iTacitus project
• iTacitus: Intelligent Tourism and Cultural Information
through Ubiquitous Services
• An EU-fund project, working during 2006-2009, explored
ways in which information technology could be employed
to encourage cultural tourism.
• For AR, it supplies 3 ways to improve the tourism
experience:
– Superimposed Environments: 3D objects are placed into the
scene on the spot in order to overlay the real scene. Like missing
paintings, statues or architecture models.
– Annotated Landscape: Abstract context sensitive information
overlays showing images, texts and videos about a certain spot.
– Spatial Acoustic Overlays: Transporting a place's original
ambiance by virtually placing spatial audio clips in the
surroundings.

22. For libraries? Relative few actual
applications, mainly on imagine.

23. Potential for libraries
• NCSU’s WolfWalk: overlaying digital collections with map of campus
• Can envision an application for inside the building, revealing
“hidden” parts of the collection (both highlighting things on the
shelves as well as showing where e-resources would be found)
• Library tour information: for users who need to understand what
they can do at a desk once it’s closed or if they don’t want to ask if
they’re not sure
• Information literacy tutorials at the location where they might be
needed (for example, using call numbers, or how to select the most
useful article in the current periodicals room)
• Really making a connection between the physical library as
place and the virtual library on the web
Lauren’s library blog: LAUREN’S TOP TECH TREND

24. NCSU’s Wolfwalk
• WolkWalk is a mobile library project that
allows you to explore North Carolina State
University campus history using selected
mobile devices. WolfWalk provides
information on the history of approximately
60 major sites of interest on the NCSU
campus, together with multiple current
and/or historic images that are sourced from
the NCSU Libraries Special Collections
Research Center.

26. Some possible scenarios:
• Links physical collections with virtual information
(database, lectures, and other information
concerning material you are interested)
• Even more direct means to bring conversation
between different customers than tagging and
comments on OPAC
The Strange Librarian: (geolocation + augmented reality + QR codes)
libraries

27. Some references:
• The Strange Librarian: (geolocation +
augmented reality + QR codes) libraries
【translation@Yeeyan: 地理定位 + 增强现实
+ QR码图书馆】
• Lauren’s library blog: LAUREN’S TOP TECH
TREND
• NEW MEDIA CONSOTIUM: 2010 HORIZON
REPORT