Experience Virtual and Augmented Reality for the whole family. Equipment and docents provided by the library and event partners.

Folsom Public Library invites everyone to its Second Annual Virtual Reality Expo Saturday, June 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the library’s meeting room and teen room. For this special event, the library is working with partners at XR Libraries, Folsom Lake College’s Innovation Center, Folsom VR_AR Meetup, Yellow Circle, and local startup Apollo VR to bring a wide variety of virtual and augmented reality experiences to Folsom. There will be 11 VR systems available to demo, including 2 of the latest Oculus Quest models. For younger kids, there will be augmented reality books and Google Cardboard apps on science topics. For all ages, there will be temporary tattoos that come alive when paired with an augmented reality app.

The Folsom Public Library has been providing technology programs to the public for many years including 3D printing, Girls Who Code, Lego robotics, eReader trainings, and more. The library has been providing virtual reality programs for 18 months using equipment acquired through grants from the California State Library. Folsom Public Library has regular VR Labs on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.

“The best way for people to understand the potential of virtual and augmented reality is to try it out in person. Libraries are uniquely situated to do that in a way that is educational, entertaining, and provides equal access to everyone. The delight people feel when they get to walk the streets of a favorite vacation spot or their hometown in virtual reality is amazing,” said Lead Senior Librarian Andrew Tweet.

Library Director Lori Easterwood said, “For hundreds of years, libraries have been making scarce educational, productivity, and entertainment resources available to their communities. Virtual reality is a new way we are continuing the tradition.”

Date: Saturday, June 8

Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Folsom Public Library, 411 Stafford Street, Folsom, CA 95630, Library Meeting Room and Teen Room