Over the past centuries, technological development has transformed the world beyond recognition – from a time when information travelled at the speed of a messenger or a courier to the present day, when knowledge is available to everyone within seconds and humanity continues to live in a constant process of change. Each new technological achievement not only makes everyday life easier, but also opens up new opportunities for education, creativity and the development of an inclusive society in various fields. Today, one of the most vivid manifestations of these opportunities is virtual reality, which allows people to learn not only by reading or listening, but also by experiencing and exploring the world through direct experience.
In this context, on 23 January, 2026, training sessions on the practical application of the STEAM method and the use of virtual reality (VR) headsets in library work took place in Ludza.
Fifteen librarians from Ludza municipality, Rokiškis district and the city of Šiauliai in Lithuania took part in the training. A representative of “EVO Group, Ltd” demonstrated how to use VR headsets correctly and showed how they can be applied in work with different target groups. VR headsets are special goggles which, when worn, place the user in a computer-generated three-dimensional environment and create the feeling of being in another world – in nature, in a museum or even inside the human body. By turning the head or taking a step, the visible image changes accordingly, creating a strong sense of presence.
“EVO Group, Ltd” has developed 13 STEAM educational programmes, which Ludza Library and Rokiškis District Municipal Library will implement in its work with visitors. The participants became acquainted with the wide possibilities of VR technologies in various fields – biology, mathematics, history, culture, anatomy and other subjects.
The librarians admitted that the experience was exciting, interesting and unusual. A particularly strong impression was made by a nature film in which animals could be observed almost as in a real environment, creating a vivid sense of presence. At the same time, it became clear that the range of possibilities for using and applying these technologies is very broad and offers almost unlimited opportunities for creative and modern work.
The training is an important step in preparing for future activities within the framework of the project “Wind of Change”, where librarians will use VR technologies in their work with various target groups, including people with disabilities, thus promoting accessible, modern and inclusive education. However, before launching such activities, it is necessary to explore the possibilities of the new equipment and the developed programmes and to fulfill one essential prerequisite – the construction of a lift to ensure that the library premises are truly accessible to everyone. It is planned that these works will begin in spring.
