New tools and cloud-based platforms are emerging that offer the opportunity to provide links to recommended information resources in virtual reality or 360 image environments. Such immersive settings are browser-friendly, easily shared, and can create an engaging and unexpected way to extend reference and instruction both within and beyond a virtual reference exchange. To surprise and even delight a researcher can make it easier to learn, and virtual spaces can make it easier to understand and remember new information.

This presentation will provide an overview of some interesting emerging immersive virtual reality and 360 tools and examples of their potential uses in virtual reference services. Building subject guides and library instruction in virtual reality and 360 images offers both new opportunities and unique design decisions and challenges. For instance, when is it more user-friendly to embed text or images within a virtual setting, and when would it be preferable to link out to an external resource? How many points of information can be included in a single setting without overwhelming the user? How closely can hotspots be placed without creating challenges for viewing on smaller screens? These and other relevant design decisions will be discussed, with links to learn more.