Step outside your day-to-day routine and step into the future with Washington County Library's virtual reality demonstration at Wildwood Library on Dec. 27, from 2-3 p.m.

Virtual reality is the common term used when specialized equipment and computer programs are used to allow a person to enter a simulated environment that feels so authentic it is mistaken for reality.

The Washington County Library recently purchased virtual reality equipment to be used in library programming. The equipment includes a dedicated desktop station, goggles for the participant to wear, optical sensors and handheld controls. For the purposes of the virtual reality demonstration, participants will have the option of exploring underwater sea scenes or painting 3-dimensional objects.

The equipment was purchased as part of the library's focus on creating and promoting experiential learning. Nationwide, the new wave of virtual reality technology has been utilized in schools to allow students to take field trips to other countries or time periods without ever leaving the classroom. The cutting edge technology has also been included in job training to immerse employees in situations they may encounter on the job without subjecting them to the real world consequences of failure while they train.

No registration required.