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The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which library patrons and librarians perceive VR and experience VR through library drop-in programs.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-subheading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p>This paper is based on research conducted in seven Washington State Libraries where VR was adopted for drop-in programming for the first time. Data was collected between March and June 2018 and involved interviews with librarians and patrons, a patron user experience survey, and observational field notes from researchers on site during library programs.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-subheading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>Findings are presented in relation to user perceptions of VR compared to their actual VR experiences, and in relation to informal learning and social engagements. The authors frame the analysis and discussion in relation to sociotechnical imaginaries \u2013 culturally situated ideas about the relationship between society and technology, and considering the larger cultural landscape that informs collective views about the present and future.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-subheading\">Social implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper discusses pending and potential inequalities related to gender, race and class in conversation with technology industry and VR. Issues discussed include unequal access to technology in public libraries and representation of minoritized groups in VR.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-subheading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>This work takes a critical perspective considering the inequities in relation to mainstreaming VR through public spaces like libraries.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/jd-04-2020-0051","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,13]],"date-time":"2021-02-13T10:19:08Z","timestamp":1613211548000},"page":"617-637","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":19,"title":["Perceptions and experiences of virtual reality in public libraries"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"77","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3095-7762","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Negin","family":"Dahya","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]},{"given":"W.E.","family":"King","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Kung Jin","family":"Lee","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Jin Ha","family":"Lee","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]}],"member":"140","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,2,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"key2022092814220448200_ref0010","unstructured":"ap Cenydd, L. 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