For decades, lending books was the main way libraries provided access to information and value to a community. As we move forward in the 21st century, libraries around the world are shifting focus. Books aren’t going away, but recognizing the role of libraries in community building and social connection, the importance of hands-on learning and creation, as well as the proliferation of quality information in many different formats has led to exciting changes. Skyline College Library is no exception.
In addition to new social spaces and events, the Library is adding virtual reality to its lineup of technology. Bringing textbooks and images to life, the library began offering interactive, immersive learning experiences with virtual reality headsets this spring. Students were invited to explore the Canadian watershed during the State of Water exhibition in March, and a virtual lab during April to May. This PIF funded initiative aims to spark curiosity and creativity as well as strengthen learning and opportunities to build job-related skills through experiences that cannot be accessed daily, such as floating through the International Space Station in Mission ISS.
Students learning CDC lab protocols through immersive, virtual reality experiences.
One key feature of 21st century libraries is the offering of robust digital collections with resources that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Librarians at Skyline College have been continually working to expand digital resources that include not only eBooks and scholarly articles, but also magazines and films. In the coming months, the Library will be rolling out Libby by Overdrive, an app used by local public libraries to provide high-quality, user-friendly reading experience for eBooks and magazines. Please be on the lookout for future communications announcing the launch of the app and other new initiatives at Skyline College Library!
Article by Majdolene Dajani
Photos by Harry Tun
