The Application of Procedurally Generated Libraries in Immersive Virtual Reality

TL;DR

This paper addresses the gap between digital libraries and the serendipitous, exploratory experiences of traditional libraries by delivering a VR environment procedurally generated to resemble a physical library. It combines PCG for room creation and layout with AI-provided reading context, enabling immersive category-based exploration and AI-assisted summaries. An A-B study comparing the VR system to Project Gutenberg shows VR boosts engagement, aesthetic appeal, and exploration, though it incurs higher physical demand and requires onboarding for VR novices. The work demonstrates that VR libraries with PCG can enhance browsing enjoyment and curiosity, offering a scalable approach to dynamic digital catalogs, while outlining practical directions for future enhancements and broader validation.

Abstract

While digital libraries offer essential benefits for the digital age such as constant availability and accessibility, they often fail in providing a similarly enjoyable browsing experience that benefits engagement and serendipitous exploration inherent to traditional library experiences. In this paper, we propose a virtual reality (VR) library environment that emulates a traditional library promoting an engaging browsing experience that benefits browsing enjoyment and serendipity. The implemented system uses procedural content generation to dynamically generate a library-like environment, wherein each room corresponds to a specific category of the digital library. To assess the usability of the implemented system, we conducted an A-B study comparing the VR environment with the web interface of Project Gutenberg. The results of the study suggest that while the physical demand for using the VR environment is higher, the system can significantly benefit the browsing experience and entice users curiosity. Furthermore, the study suggests that the system can increase user engagement and users generally felt that using the system was rewarding.

Figures (3)

• Figure 1: Conceptual Architecture of the proposed VR library application.
• Figure 2: (left)An example of a finished room including bookshelves, windows and furniture, (right)The room concatenation in the procedurally generated library
• Figure 3: (left) reading interface with corresponding UI elements (right) hover and grab interaction