Considerations for small libraries in adopting virtual reality technology for medical education

Objective: Describe considerations for small libraries considering the adoption of virtual reality technology as a resource for health sciences education. Methods: A small academic medical library obtained grant funding to implement a virtual reality pilot project to support anatomy coursework. Results: Observations were made related to the technology selection and purchasing process, space and safety requirements for implementing VR, student patterns of use, supplementary VR programs of interest to medical students (including gaming and meditation programs for stress relief), and staffing/scheduling/maintenance of the system. Conclusions: Virtual reality technology is compelling for medical education; implementation resulted in increasing the library’s engagement with teaching faculty, students, alumni relations, and the curriculum. However, implementation requires careful consideration related to staffing, technology choices, use cases, safety, and other matters. Small medical libraries should be aware of various limitations and considerations prior to making large investments of money, space, or personnel time. Examples will be provided of concrete considerations for libraries