The document outlines a strategy for reimagining libraries through the metaverse, focusing on enhancing access to information, interactive learning, and community collaboration. Key features include advanced semantic search, virtual study rooms, personalized libraries, and interactive annotations, along with immersive tools like 3D simulations and gamification. Additionally, it emphasizes AI-assisted functionalities, such as personalized research assistants and dynamic literature summaries, to facilitate ongoing education and collaborative research efforts.

1. Reimagining Libraries: A Journey into the Metaverse
Revolutionising Information Access, Learning, and Community with Immersive Technology

2. The Four Pillars of a Metaverse Library Strategy
Learning
Using the
Metaverse to allow
users to easily
search for, locate
and read academic
research and
educational
resources
Interacting
Using the
Metaverse to allow
users to
interactively
engage with and
explore different
experiences
Collaborating
Using the
Metaverse to allow
users to
collaborate with
each other and
learn together in
the same virtual
environment
AIssisting
Using the
Metaverse and
Generative AI to
provide users with
cutting-edge
learning
experiences

3. The Metaverse Library

4. The Metaverse Library

5. The Metaverse Library

6. Reading and Research Use Cases
● Intelligent Semantic Search
○ Implementing an advanced semantic search feature that understands the context and meaning behind user
queries. This feature goes beyond keyword matching, considering the user's professional background and
preferences to provide highly relevant search results in the Metaverse library
● Virtual Study Rooms
○ Creating personal reading and study rooms for the users. These rooms would allow user customisation and
be their personal places inside the Metaverse library
● Curated Personal Libraries
○ Allowing users to create their own personal libraries curated based on their chosen research and fields of
study. New books and publications would be automatically added to their personal libraries ensuring they’re
constantly updated
● Interactive Annotations
○ Enabling users to annotate and highlight sections of virtual textbooks or articles within the Metaverse library.
These annotations could be shared in real-time during collaborative sessions, allowing professionals to
exchange insights and discuss specific points directly within the virtual environment

7. Intelligent Semantic Search

8. Virtual Study Rooms

9. Curated Personal Libraries

10. Interactive Annotations

11. Interactivity and Engagement Use Cases
● 3D Simulations
○ Creating holographic anatomy lessons where users can summon detailed 3D holograms of human anatomy.
This feature allows health professionals to manipulate and explore organs, tissues and structures in a more
immersive and interactive way, enhancing their understanding of complex medical concepts
● Gamification
○ Design interactive learning quests that guide users through a series of educational challenges and scenarios,
rewarding them with virtual badges or points upon completion. This gamified approach encourages
continuous learning and engagement

12. 3D Simulations

13. Gamification

14. Collaboration Use Cases
● Group Reading and Research
○ Establishing virtual study groups where library users can come together and join discussions, share insights
and collectively explore specific medical topics. This promotes collaborative learning and knowledge
exchange
● Collaborative Research Challenges
○ Designing dedicated virtual spaces for collaborative research projects and challenges, providing a centralised
hub where library users can collaborate on studies and research initiatives
● Expert-led Discussions
○ Hosting live expert-led discussions within the virtual library, where professionals can engage with leading
experts in their respective fields, ask questions, and contribute to ongoing research discussions

15. Group Reading and Research

16. Collaborative Research Challenges

17. Expert-Led Discussions

18. AI Assisted Use Cases
● Personalised Research Assistants
○ Developing a Generative AI assistant that learns from users' reading habits and preferences. This assistant
can recommend relevant articles, journals and research based on individual professional interests, keeping
health professionals updated on the latest advancements in their specific fields
● Dynamic Literature Summaries
○ Utilising Generative AI to provide concise and dynamic summaries of medical literature. Users can get quick
overviews before delving into detailed research papers or textbooks, saving time and aiding comprehension
● AI-Powered Concept Maps
○ Enabling the generation of dynamic concept maps based on the content of medical texts, helping users
visualise the relationships between different concepts and enhancing their understanding
● AI-Powered New Research Alerts
○ Enabling users to set up personalised alerts for specific medical topics or authors and have AI algorithms
scan new publications to provide real-time updates and recommendations for further reading

19. Personalised Research Assistants

20. AI-Powered Concept Maps

21. AI-Powered New Research Alerts

22. Primary Metaverse Applications for the UoS Library
Learning
Semantic Search
Virtual Study
Rooms
Curated Personal
Libraries
Interactive
Annotations
Interacting
Interactive Case
Studies
Progressive
Learning Paths
3D Simulations
Gamification
Collaborating
Group Reading and
Research
Collaborative
Research
Challenges
Virtual Mentorship
Expert Discussions
AIssisting
Personalised
Research
Assistants
Dynamic Literature
Summaries
AI Concept Maps
AI Research Alerts