Libraries continue to offer virtual reality

By Matthew Nash • January 8, 2020 1:30 am
Patrons at the Port Angeles Library try out virtual reality. Multiple events continue in Port Angeles and Sequim for patrons 13 and up to try. Registration is required. Photo courtesy of NOLS
Patrons at the Port Angeles Library try out virtual reality. Multiple events continue in Port Angeles and Sequim for patrons 13 and up to try. Registration is required. Photo courtesy of NOLS

Sequim and Port Angeles’ libraries with the North Olympic Library System offer adults and teens 13 and older an interactive 360-degree video using Oculus Rift and Go headsets.

Examples of virtual reality sessions include movie shorts, “Jurassic World,” “The Body,” “America’s National Parks,” and many more.

Sequim Branch Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., hosts VR at:

• 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16

• 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6

• 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20

• 1-4 p.m. Thursday, March 5

• 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19

Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., hosts VR at:

• 1-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13

• 4-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27

• 1-4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10

• 4-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24

• 1-4 p.m. Monday, March 9

• 4-7 p.m. Monday, March 23

The libraries also host special sessions of guided meditation and relaxation at Port Angeles from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 18, and at Sequim from 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.

Adult participants must sign a release waiver, and participants 13-17 must have a parent signed release waiver. Waiver forms are available to pick up in advance at the library or at www.nols.org/virtual-reality. Registration is required.

VR programming is part of a partnership with the Washington State Library, Oculus, and the University of Washington Information School to bring educational opportunities to library communities around the state. Additional funding for this program comes from the Friends of the Library groups. For more information, visit www.nols.org or email Discover@nols.org.