Facing reality: the growth of virtual reality and health sciences libraries*

Virtual reality (VR) is an increasingly hot tech topic. Because VR may be the ultimate virtual project as defined by this column, replacing the real world with a simulated one, it is worthwhile to pause and reflect on its potential and practicality for health sciences libraries. Virtual reality is a computer technology that uses headsets to create an immersive, computer-generated simulation that allows end users to experience, move about in, and interact with this virtual world, shutting out the real world. Other tightly related technologies that are growing in popularity are augmented reality (AR), which overlays a three-dimensional (3D) environment with supplemental data such as graphics or sound, enabling end users to interact with both physical and virtual objects, and mixed reality (MR), which aims to combine both VR and AR, allowing the digital or VR world to interact in real world surroundings. These new “realities” can create unique experiences that expand learning opportunities and engagement for end users.