Can we talk about how far we have gone when it comes to technology and virtual environments? Being an avid gamer growing up, spending more time inside than outside, I have always known that video games and virtual worlds would become a central part of everyone’s lives. Going back to even movies about virtual reality, such as Tron for example, we knew that the time spent in parts of our lives in virtual reality would become, well, reality. In module 6, I read about Metaverse and Minecraft’s Uncensored Library. I have spent countless hours playing Minecraft and not once have I thought about it being used the way it has been used by the Reporters without Borders organization. Giving countries with strict press laws and regulations access to books and other sources that would otherwise be banned is genius, to say the least. I am glad that not only young people are getting a use out of Minecraft, but also reporters and those wanting to have access to information that they might otherwise not be able to have access to.
Another idea that has been getting bigger recently is the idea of Metaverse. Personally, I have only used a VR headset once in my life, and it was to play a video game. Even though I haven’t had much experience with VR, as a gamer I can see how it would catch people’s attention, even if they are not video game players themselves. Having other VR platforms that are not video game based, such as Spatial, Engage, and Mozilla Hubs, is such a great advancement to VR and technology. I have heard about some major libraries having VR tours available to those visiting their websites wanting to get a better understanding of what the library looks like and what it has to offer. Libraries such as Cupertino Library, Gilroy Library, and Los Altos Library, allow patrons to visit their websites to take 360-degree tours in and around their buildings. This service allows those that might not be able to visit different libraries the chance to understand what libraries have to offer and what they should expect if they ever were to get the chance to visit such libraries. As technology advances, so too will the availability and creativity of VR and what it will provide for us. We have just broken through to the things that VR has to offer, and I am excited to see what else is in store for us.
360-degree New York Public Library Tours
References:
360-degree New York Public Library Tours. From Youtube, by Urbanist, 2017. Copyright 2017 by Urbanist.
Virtual Library Tours. (n.d.). Retrieved July 8, 2026, from Santa Clare County Library District: https://sccld.org/virtual-tours/#ca-360