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Augmented Library: Toward Enriching Physical Library Experience Using HMD-Based Augmented Reality

Qianjie Wei, Jingling Zhang, Pengqi Wang, Xiaofu Jin, Mingming Fan

TL;DR

The paper tackles declining physical library visits by introducing an HMD-based augmented reality system, Augmented Library, to enrich book discovery and community engagement. It employs a formative study (low-fidelity AR prototype and librarian interviews) to derive four AR features—color-coded user groups, data-driven augmented bookshelves, interactive book reviews, and color-coded virtual tags—and a user study with 10 university participants to evaluate usability and engagement. Key findings show improved discovery and peer-based suggestions, along with usability and readability challenges in AR content and tagging systems, guiding future improvements such as AI-driven recommendations and gamification. The work demonstrates a practical pathway for integrating AR into physical libraries to sustain relevance and foster social interaction, with clear directions for enhancement and longer-term evaluation.

Abstract

Despite the rise of digital libraries and online reading platforms, physical libraries still offer unique benefits for education and community engagement. However, due to the convenience of digital resources, physical library visits, especially by college students, have declined. This underscores the need to better engage these users. Augmented Reality (AR) could potentially bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds. In this paper, we present \textit{Augmented Library}, an HMD-based AR system designed to revitalize the physical library experience. By creating interactive features that enhance book discovery, encourage community engagement, and cater to diverse user needs, \textit{Augmented Library} combines digital convenience with physical libraries' rich experiences. This paper discusses the development of the system and preliminary user feedback on its impact on student engagement in physical libraries.

Augmented Library: Toward Enriching Physical Library Experience Using HMD-Based Augmented Reality

TL;DR

The paper tackles declining physical library visits by introducing an HMD-based augmented reality system, Augmented Library, to enrich book discovery and community engagement. It employs a formative study (low-fidelity AR prototype and librarian interviews) to derive four AR features—color-coded user groups, data-driven augmented bookshelves, interactive book reviews, and color-coded virtual tags—and a user study with 10 university participants to evaluate usability and engagement. Key findings show improved discovery and peer-based suggestions, along with usability and readability challenges in AR content and tagging systems, guiding future improvements such as AI-driven recommendations and gamification. The work demonstrates a practical pathway for integrating AR into physical libraries to sustain relevance and foster social interaction, with clear directions for enhancement and longer-term evaluation.

Abstract

Despite the rise of digital libraries and online reading platforms, physical libraries still offer unique benefits for education and community engagement. However, due to the convenience of digital resources, physical library visits, especially by college students, have declined. This underscores the need to better engage these users. Augmented Reality (AR) could potentially bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds. In this paper, we present \textit{Augmented Library}, an HMD-based AR system designed to revitalize the physical library experience. By creating interactive features that enhance book discovery, encourage community engagement, and cater to diverse user needs, \textit{Augmented Library} combines digital convenience with physical libraries' rich experiences. This paper discusses the development of the system and preliminary user feedback on its impact on student engagement in physical libraries.
Paper Structure (16 sections, 3 figures)

This paper contains 16 sections, 3 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related Work
  3. Formative Study
  4. Low-fidelity Prototype
  5. Interviewing Librarians
  6. Findings
  7. Augmented Library System
  8. User Study
  9. Participants & Procedure
  10. Findings
  11. Information Visualization and Gamified Interactions
  12. Interactive Book Reviews
  13. Color-coded Virtual Tags
  14. Discussion
  15. Conclusion and Future Work
  16. ...and 1 more sections

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: Low-fidelity prototype. (a) AR personal bookshelf. (b) Augmented bookshelves. (c) Comments bubble.
  • Figure 2: Key features of the AR system. (a) color-coded user groups: uses three distinct colors to distinguish between three user groups. (b) data-driven augmented bookshelves: overlays AR data visualizations on physical bookshelves. (c) interactive book reviews: users can interact with other users' reviews displayed near the physical books. (d) color-coded virtual tags: users can add virtual tags to physical books.
  • Figure 3: Participants' vision for future AR iterations. (a) a virtual cat is guiding users through information. (b) integrates AI-driven book recommendations.