Alison Valk
Emerging Technologies Librarian,
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Future is Archived: Reimagining Library Collection Access and Engagement through Virtual Reality
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 4:30PM–5:15PM CT | EDUCAUSE Commons, Teaching & Learning Central, Poster Area
Session Type:
Poster Session
Delivery Format:
Poster
Emerging technologies and virtual reality are becoming more commonplace in libraries and beyond. This is largely a reflection of the changing educational landscape. The presenter will discuss a student- and library-led research initiative at a four-year public university. Inspired by projects such as “Back Up Ukraine,” the team sought to explore tools and technologies that could be utilized to preserve archival collections and make them more accessible and engaging. The project centered on creating an interactive virtual archive. By 3D scanning of objects from the library archives and creating an immersive, interactive experience through virtual reality, the team created new channels for users to engage with these historical artifacts. Attendees will be invited to brainstorm how they could leverage emerging technologies to enhance student engagement at their own organizations.