- Hunter Library
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- Scholar Studio
- Virtual Reality
- Virtual Reality Room
Virtual Reality Room
Currently, VR equipment is not available for checkout.
Make your reservation to use the VR Room at Hunter Library
Hunter Library's Virtual Reality (VR) Room
Hunter Library's VR room is in Room HL 184 on the first floor of Hunter Library. It is available to faculty, staff, and students via reservation for up to 4 hours a day, 8 hours per week, in 30 minute blocks. They are welcome to come use the room to experience and explore the capabilities and applications of VR.
Visit our calendar to reserve the room.
Two Oculus Rift stations are installed in HL 184. The stations are each equipped with a high-end PC, the Oculus software and a variety of free software options. Each station has been configured. While there is not much room for spectators, the large screen monitors in the room can be easily seen from the windows outside. Several gaming chairs are located in the room.
You must check out the controllers at the Library's Circulation Desk after the room has been booked and verified. Safety, conduct, and liability guidelines are posted in the room; by reserving the room you agree to abide by those guidelines.
The workstations are first come first served. Researchers and students working on class projects may contact our staff for extended reservations.
For a tour, contact Jill Ellern at 828-227-3746.
It's not just for games, we think it might be the future of educational experiences. You can come to the library to check out the possibilities.
Available VR Software
Actual titles installed on the equipment might vary. Links below go to Oculus Rift
software sites for more detailed information.
Art
Explore 3D renderings of various museums and cultural sites located throughout England and San Francisco. Access a virtual tablet with the tap of a button, which will provide you with textual information and allow you to take a brief audio tour.
Create and sculpt 3D art or models in the virtual space using Oculus Touch. You can export your creations and print them out using a 3D printer. You can also use the images you create in other 3D programs.
Create 3D objects in virtual reality. A more primitive version of Medium, Blocks has an easier learning curve because it has a more limited toolset. Contains access to a gallery of images to start with.
Explore, publish, share, discover 3D, virtual reality and augmented reality content. This product will allow developers to access the Sketchfab library and build access to it directly in their applications. Users can access the ever-growing library of hundreds of thousands of 3D models and import them directly into their software environment while remaining in virtual space. Some content will be available for purchase. Sketchfab’s aim is to be the YouTube for 3D content; they have developed partnerships with developers worldwide.
Mathematics
Experience complex calculus concepts in a 3D environment. Manipulate vectors with your hands and visualize mathematical functions. View tutorials before using.
Explore how numerical data can be mapped and viewed in a simple 3D grid.
Medicine & Anatomy
Explore an anatomically accurate 3D model of the human body and how it works.
View real surgeries in 3D and test your knowledge in two online modules.
Wonderful You: Meet Your Unborn Self
“A virtual reality journey through the strange world of your developing senses; sight, sound, touch, taste & smell.”
Travel and Geography
With Google Earth VR, you can go anywhere on earth in virtual reality. Whether you want to stroll along the canals of Venice, stand at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, or soar through the sky over Western Carolina University faster than a speeding bullet, there’s no shortage of things to do or ways to explore. Just fly down closer to street level, check your controller to see if Street View is available and enter an immersive 360° photo.
Take a tour of Venice with a professor of Italian history as your personal guide. Enjoy over 30 minutes of 3D 360° video shot on location as you earn all about the history and culture of the city.
MasterWorks: Journey through History
Explore in 3D the Peruvian Andes, Mt. Rushmore, the Native American Cliff Dwellings in Colorado, or the ancient capital of Thailand.
Nature
Explore various nature experiences such as Oogie, “the story of a small Beetle with big dreams,” Bear Island, the story of a black bear named Swift, and Cat Flight, “the story of a mother caracal and her kitten trying to find food in a desolate African desert.”
Space
Buzz Aldrin: Cycling Pathways to Mars
Journey with Dr. Aldrin from his landing site on the moon to Mars.
“Take a trip into orbit and experience life on board the International Space Station! In this Emmy-nominated simulation, learn how to move and work in zero-gravity using Touch controllers. Dock a space capsule, take a spacewalk, and let real NASA astronauts guide you on the ISS through archival video clips.”
BBC Home: A VR Spacewalk
Enables would-be astronauts to embark on a spacewalk 250 miles above the Earth’s surface--something only 217 people have ever done for real. The view is wonderful.
Other
View content from the Discovery network, including Shark Week, Deadliest Catch and MythBusters. “Rescue rhinos, swim with elephants and bask in the beauty of majestic tigers. From Samurai sword fights in Japan to dancing in the pubs of Dublin, come with us to explore the globe.”
Experience VR video in a variety of genres including documentaries, animation, and music.
VR#1 Controllers
VR #2 Controllers
- You acknowledge that you have read the safety and health document found at https://www.oculus.com/legal/health-and-safety-warnings/ and understand the risks inherent in the use of the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality (“VR”) program and equipment. You understand that use of the Oculus Rift VR program and equipment may involve substantial risks of bodily injury, without limitation, dizziness or vertigo, seizures or blackout, and panic or anxiety attack.
- In consideration for being allowed by Western Carolina University to access and/or use Hunter Library’s Virtual Rea lity (VR) Room, you waive any and all claims and release and forever discharge Western Carolina University and the Board of Governors of the University System of North Carolina, and their directors, trustees, officers, agent or employees from any and all actions, claims, damages, judgments, demands, rights, and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, arising out of all known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen bodily and personal injuries or damage to property arising out of or related to my use of the Hunter Library’s Virtual Reality (VR) Room.
- You warrant that you am authorized to use the applicable files, data, images, or any other materials (collectively “Content”) in the Hunter Library’s Virtual Reality (VR) Room and that the use of the Content will not infringe upon any third-party’s copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary or intellectual property rights.
- You are the only authorized user of Hunter Library’s Virtual Reality (VR) Room during my reservation. You agree that you am solely liable for all actions, claims, damages, judgments, demands, rights, and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, made by persons that accompany you to this reservation.
- You agree to indemnify Western Carolina University, its Trustees, officers, agents, and employees, from any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, liabilities (including attorney’s fees), and costs of any kind incurred as a result of a final judgment or settlement or any claim or legal proceeding arising out of or resulting from a breach or claimed breach of the foregoing representations and warranties or by reason of any accident, injury, or damage to any person or property howsoever caused, arising from or connected with use of Hunter Library’s Virtual Reality (VR) Room.
- When using Hunter Library’s Virtual Reality (VR) Room, you agree to follow safety rules and use the the room exclusively for lawful and educational purposes that respect the policies of Western Carolina University and the Hunter Library as well as the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, and patrons. A list of the basic Be Safe and VR Room Conduct guidelines are posted in the room.
- Any persons in the room with you also agree to these conditions. (See notice on the door of the room for more details.)
Be Safe!
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Check out the Oculus Health and Safety Warnings at https://www.oculus.com/legal/health-and-safety-warnings/
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Oculus recommends that you remain seated unless your game or content experience requires standing and that you take at least a 10- to 15-minute break every 30 minutes, even if you don’t think you need it.
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Be aware of your space, the chair, and the location of the headset cables. Be careful not to run over the cables with a chair or get tangled up so you trip
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Please wear the controller straps around your wrists.
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Check out the limits of your boundary of your space inside the blue lines by moving around once you have the headset on. Take notice where the walls in the room are in relationship to this space to orient yourself.
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If you feel sick or nauseous while using the VR station, take the headset off and sit down.
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If you have a pre-existing medical condition (seizures, PTSD, etc.), consult a physician before using this device.
VR Room Conduct
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This room is available to faculty, staff and students of WCU.
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Reservations for the equipment are required. Once in the room, take a note of your time so you don’t go over into someone else.
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Touch controllers are available at the circulation desk. Remember to return them so you will not be charged an overdue fine.
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This room is not soundproof so please be respectful of others in the area.
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Clean the headset after you use it with wipes.
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Observers in the room need to be careful not to interfere with those using the equipment. If they become a problem, ask them to observe outside.
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If anything is wrong or you are unsure of something, please find a library staff member.
