DATE: September 12, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kelley Worman-Landano, County Librarian
SUBJECT: Virtual Reality Experience Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize Chairman to ratify the County Librarian’s previous execution of a Participant Letter of Agreement with the California State Library and Califa Group allowing the Fresno County Public Library to participate in the Virtual Reality Experience Project for the period of May 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018; and
2. Adopt Resolution accepting and expressing gratitude for the donation of virtual reality equipment valued at $3,090 from the California State Library and Califa Group for use in connection with the Project and thereafter.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, which upon approval will ratify the Librarian’s previous execution of the Participant Letter of Agreement and allow the Library to participate as a facilitator in the Virtual Reality Experience Project (Project) administered by the California State Library and Califa Group. The Project will allow the Library to receive virtual reality (VR) equipment at no cost and provide public access to immersive learning experiences through VR technology.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose to not participate in the Project, which will result in the Library not receiving VR equipment and providing public access to virtual reality technology for Library patrons.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. If the recommended actions are approved, the Library will receive two VR systems at no cost with a total monetary value of $3,090. There is no increase in appropriations or revenue since the grant is non-monetary. The Library will provide facilitators for the Project with an in-kind contribution of $5,147 for FY 2017-18. The in-kind contribution covers a percentage of salaries and benefits for one Librarian II and one Library Assistant II with indirect costs calculated at 10%. The Library’s salary, benefits, and overhead costs are included in the FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget for Org 7511.
DISCUSSION:
The Project is a joint project of the California State Library (CSL) and Califa Group (Califa). The mission of the CSL, a California public research institution, is to preserve California’s cultural heritage and to connect people, libraries, and government to the resources and tools they need to succeed. Califa is a nonprofit library membership consortium of more than 220 libraries and is the largest library network in California. Califa works closely with the CSL in administering a number of statewide projects supported by grant funds. The Project is managed by Califa and is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The LSTA provides federal funding and grants for library services that support technological improvements. Oculus VR, LLC is working with the CSL and Califa to provide 100 VR systems to libraries throughout the State of California. Oculus VR, LLC is a division of Facebook Inc. that specializes in VR hardware and software products. The Library is one of 90 libraries throughout California participating in this pilot program to gauge public interest in accessing VR technologies at public libraries.
The application deadline for the Project was April 24, 2017 and the deadline to submit an executed Participant Letter of Agreement (“Agreement”) was May 15, 2017. The Agreement covers the period from May 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. As a participant in the Project, the Library will receive two VR systems at no cost, which the Library will be able to keep at the end of the Project period. The systems each contain an Oculus Ready PC, monitor, and Oculus Rift with controller, goggles, sensors, and HDMI cable. Each of these systems has a value of $1,545 for a total value of $3,090. The PC will come preloaded with a wide range of educational programs and software, such as curriculum that takes students into outer space and programs that provide hands-on training in skills like engine repair. The VR systems may only be used by library patrons age 13 and older.
One system will be located at the Sunnyside Regional Library and the other will be located at the Betty Rodriguez Regional Library. These two branches were selected because they are high-traffic regional libraries with diverse demographics that might not otherwise have access to this new technology. Upon your Board’s approval, the Library will begin the Project on September 20, 2017. Staff assigned to work on the Project will receive online training on how to use the equipment and how to instruct others on usage of the equipment. Participating library jurisdictions will also have the opportunity to receive additional virtual reality programs and equipment at a reduced cost, or no cost at a later date.
Statistics and data on the Project will be collected by the Library and provided to the California State Library and/or Califa. Library staff will be available to offer information on additional programs and services.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with California State Library and Califa
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck