VR project set up for library service's centenary

West Sussex Library Service is celebrating its 100th birthday

A library service is celebrating its 100th birthday with the launch of a new virtual reality (VR) project.

West Sussex Library Service's centenary project, titled The Library of Possibilities and Wonder, is aiming to offer an "immersive adventure", transporting people into a world of virtual books.

"Library users will put on the headset and pick a book, the cover will open, and they will jump into the book," a spokesperson said.

To celebrate the historic milestone, West Sussex Library Service is also holding a special event at Burgess Hill Library.

The VR experience has been designed to be gentle, accessible and have a picture-book quality, the service said.

"They are not designed to be realistic or historically accurate. Instead, they are fictional worlds with a connection to West Sussex," the spokesperson added.

The VR headsets will be available at all 36 libraries in West Sussex throughout the year, with exact dates available on the library service website.

The first libraries in West Sussex were hosted in village centres, which were transformed after World War Two into a network of purpose-built libraries

West Sussex county councillor Duncan Crow said the libraries were an integral part of the community, providing valuable services which support residents.

"The centenary year will highlight the past, present and future of West Sussex libraries – our proud history, thriving present, and a look to the exciting future, especially digital innovations like VR," he said.

The VR project has been financed by National Lottery funding awarded by Arts Council England.