Poster Abstract

1. SCARLET (special collections using augmented reality to enhance
learning and teaching)
Jo Lambert, Mimas, The University of Manchester, jo.lambert@manchester.ac.uk
The SCARLET project (Special Collections using Augmented Reality to Enhance
Learning and Teaching) is pioneering Augmented Reality (AR) using mobile devices
to enhance students’ use of special collections (SC) in libraries; bringing SCs into the
age of the app. AR enables students to simultaneously experience the magic of
primary materials, whilst enhancing the learning experience by ‘surrounding’ the
object with digitised content. Learning and teaching is embedded at the heart of this
innovative project, ensuring the focus remains on the student experience and not the
technology.
Key to SCARLET development is a methodology that can be easily replicated within
other contexts. This will benefit other special collections, libraries and museums by
enabling librarians, archivists and curators to develop AR applications for visitors to
their own institutions.
This presentation will introduce the SCARLET project, describe our approach to
development, early evaluation activity and creation of an online toolkit to enable the
community to develop similar applications.
Learning Objectives:
Following the session participants will:
1. Understand the learner benefits of using Augmented Reality to enhance use of
special collections materials in libraries
2. Recognise AR’s potential to the wider educational and library community
3. Know how to access information, resources, examples and guidance needed to
replicate the work in their own context