I had never really heard the term
Augmented Reality before reading the Rudai blog and had certainly never heard
of the two applications Layar and Aurasma. I had a vague notion of the concept but
had never wondered what the technical term for it was.
My closest brush with augmented reality was
when I was used the Word Lens app. This
app translates text from one language to another. It is a really useful app to have on your
phone when travelling abroad and not familiar with the local language.
So while Word Lens is one
straightforward example of augmented reality, after reading up about it and
seeing the ways that some libraries and other organisations , musicians,
medical professionals and even surfers have put it to use to practical effect,
I have to say that I am really impressed with the possibilities. There are an astonishing number of ways that
this technology could be put to use to enhance services and improve users’
interactions in a library setting.
In academic libraries, there are lots
of areas where AR could be used to enhance the user experience.
It could be really useful to use
with literacy training, providing information for students with different
languages, to help students find their way around the library environment.
At the moment, because of dodgy Wi-Fi
coverage and lack of familiarity with the technology, it might take some work
to get mass buy-in in using it but as smartphones get even better and Wi-Fi coverage
becomes fully embedded, the possibility of creating added content in different
library services is huge.
Some of the AR apps have been a
little bit gimmicky. QSR codes have just never taken off in a big way. We have tried it in our library and the
interest and use from students is very low.
However, there are loads of really impressive AR apps out there and the
way companies and organisations have used them to boost their business have
been really inventive. Definitely,
something to keep an eye on for the future.
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