Virtual reality services
Learn about how the Libraries' virtual reality services can support your coursework, instruction, research, and more.
Events
Workshops and events
We offer a variety of workshops throughout the year:
- 3D Modeling with Gravity Sketch VR
- VR for Anatomy
- VR for the Health Sciences
- VR for Stress Reduction: Meditation
- Travel the World with Google Earth VR
- Game Night!
- New tech demonstrations
Class activities
We can help faculty and instructors bring immersive experiences into their classrooms! Here are some classes that we have worked with:
- RM 3244: Virtual Reality Retailing
- OT 7541: Assistive Technology and Orthotics in OT
- ARTS 3760: Advanced Experimental Film
- MORT 3012W: Organization and Management of Funeral Business
- JOUR 4303: Advanced Visual Storytelling
- NURS 7504: Assessment and Management of Health for Advanced Practice Nurses, Practicum I
- PT 6286: Neurorehabilitation I
Upcoming events
-
Anatomy Study Tools in Virtual Reality [Drop-In Hour] to HSL VR Studio (5-132 Health Sciences Education Center)
-
Travel the World with Google Earth VR to HSL VR Studio (5-132 Health Sciences Education Center)
-
3D Modeling with Gravity Sketch VR [Drop-In Hour] to HSL VR Studio (5-132 Health Sciences Education Center)
-
Anatomy Study Tools in Virtual Reality [Drop-In Hour] to HSL VR Studio (5-132 Health Sciences Education Center)
News
- These 4-H students are seeing campus in 360 degrees
Getting a preview of college life is a crucial step in helping K-12 students see college as an accessible, exciting possibility for their futures. Most times, that happens via a campus tour, but this summer, the University of Minnesota’s 4-H Campus Immersion program is giving their participants a unique and innovative chance to get to know campus – with the help of UMN Libraries.
- The VR Studio is helping underrepresented students learn about neuroscience
Thirteen local high school students learned about the human brain up close in the Virtual Reality Studio at the Health Sciences Library during Go4Brains, a week-long summer program for students that seeks to diversify the field of neuroscience.
- New Additions to the Virtual Reality Studio
This summer, the Virtual Reality Studio and Health Sciences Library have added two new experiences…
- Learning how to treat Alzheimer’s disease with Virtual Reality
A new first-person program in the Virtual Reality Studio is helping medical students understand Alzheimer’s disease and dementia from their future patients’ perspectives.
Student groups and community partners
Student groups
Our spaces can help students connect with other students on campus. If you are an officer in a student organization and would like to plan an activity with us, please reach out!
Join the UMN Maker Discord to learn about virtual reality and makerspace activities going on across campus!
Community partners and outreach
We work with K-12 schools, libraries and youth programs to plan engaging learning activities and explore career, college or research pathways. Some programs that we have worked with include:
Equipment
Meta Quest 3
Available for use in the Virtual Reality Studio.
Meta Quest 2
Available to borrow at the Health Sciences Library for one week.
Valve Index
Available to use at the Virtual Reality Studio and the VR & Gaming Corner.
Apple Vision Pro
Available for use by appointment at the Virtual Reality Studio.
360 cameras
Available to borrow at Walter, Magrath and Health Sciences Libraries.
The easiest way to create an immersive virtual reality experience is to use a 360 camera. Point, shoot, process, and upload to YouTube, and people can watch your video in all directions!
Microsoft Hololens 2
Available for use at the Virtual Reality Studio. If you would like to borrow one for a research project, please contact us.
Logitech MX Ink
A stylus for drawing with the Meta Quest 3 and apps like Gravity Sketch, when you want a pen instead of a controller.
Other equipment
- HTC Vive XR Elite
- Vive Trackers (quantity: 8)
- Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435i
- Zed 2 depth camera
VR apps
We are developing a library collection of virtual reality experiences, starting in the health sciences and soon to be expanding into other subject areas.
Health sciences
- Primal VR (anatomy)
- Embodied Labs (building empathy)
- SimX (clinical simulations)
- BodySwaps (interpersonal and communication skills)
Design
- Enscape (architectural design with VR functionality)
- Sketchup (architectural design)
- Gravity Sketch VR (3D modeling)
Other open source and free apps
There are lots of free apps that you should try:
- Google Earth VR
- YouTube VR (360 videos)
- TRIPP (meditation)
- Hoame (meditation)
- Versailles VR
For more ideas of what you can do in virtual reality, see our guide on Virtual Reality and 3D Spatial Experiences.
Consultations
Student support
Meet with a virtual reality expert to explore your interest or curiosity with this emerging technology. Students working on capstone projects are encouraged to make use of this service! We can help with Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) projects, Master's Plan B projects, and more.
Instructor support
Our library VR experts can help you explore how virtual reality and immersive technology is used or could be used in teaching in your subject area. We can test new products, request demos, or plan activities for your class.
Research support
Virtual reality and immersive technology is rapidly evolving, and new research is always being published:
- Evidence-based health practice in the use of VR
- Teaching case studies
- Market research
- and more!
Meet with a librarian, academic technologist, or Peer Research Consultant to get help with your VR-related research.
Library VR experts
Charlie Heinz
Academic Technologist and VR Program Lead
Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships
[email protected]
612-625-4812
Emerson Ironstone
Outreach and Interdisciplinary Program Specialist
Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships
[email protected]
612-625-2625
Scott Spicer
Media Outreach Librarian
Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships
[email protected]
612-626-0629
Jade Cabagnot
Director, Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships
Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships
[email protected]
Nicole Theis-Mahon
Evidence Synthesis Librarian and Collections Coordinator
Health Sciences
[email protected]
612-625-5410
Ryn Gagen
Medical School Librarian
Health Sciences
[email protected]
Subject Librarian for: Medicine, Mortuary Science, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
Virtual Reality Studio
Four VR workstations (900 square feet) and nine gaming computers, supporting apps that run on Windows, Meta, Steam, Windows Mixed Reality and VisionOS. Open hours on most days of the week.
Room 5-132 Health Sciences Education Center
526 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
What you can do
- Games and study break activities
- App development
- Create 3D scans of objects
- Explore teaching resources
- Reserve time with the Apple Vision Pro
- Reserve a workstation to use Embodied Labs
Open hours
| Date | Day | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday |
Closed |
|
| Sunday |
Closed |
|
| Monday |
to |
|
| Tuesday |
to |
|
| Wednesday |
to |
|
| Thursday |
to |
|
| Friday |
to |
VR & Gaming Corner Walter Library, Toaster Innovation Hub
A 112 square foot reservable space for up to two VR stations with support for apps that run on Windows, Steam and Meta.
Toaster Innovation Hub, Walter Library
117 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
What can you do
- Games and relaxing activities
- Prototyping and modeling in VR (Meta Quest + free Gravity Sketch or free ShapesXR)
Student innovator fund
In Fall 2024, we called out for students to submit proposals for $4,500.00 in fellowship funding to work on a virtual reality or XR project that can make a meaningful impact on communities or society at large. Funding for this fellowship is thanks to the generous support of the Wendy Pradt Lougee Innovation Fund.
Please stay tuned for an upcoming celebration of the students' innovative work and learning. (The details have not been announced.)
Purpose statement
Recent advances in virtual reality and related technologies have given us new opportunities at the University of Minnesota for teaching, research, patient care, wellness and campus engagement. The Libraries help students, staff, faculty and our community partners explore these opportunities!
We have welcoming spaces for virtual reality and experts who can help you through open hours or consultations. We are developing a collection of resources for instructors to use in teaching. We plan and host fun and engaging activities with instructors as well as youth program coordinators, and we loan out equipment such as headsets and 360 cameras.
Donate
Your gift will support University Libraries' programs, technologies, and services engaging students, faculty, and the community in hands-on learning and research.
Make a Gift