Abbotsford Public Library gets “Cool” with virtual reality and arctic fun this August

The Abbotsford Public Library is thrilled to announce a month of frosty fun and educational exploration, thanks to a generous partnership between Field Day, WID Virtual Environments Group, PolarTrec, the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (UW-Madison), and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This partnership, with the goal of reaching rural Latinx communities, has brought a new Virtual Reality (VR) Meta Quest 3 Headset to the library. It is anticipated that virtual reality experiences could help increase students’ interest in scientific research in the Arctic and Antarctic. August’s exciting lineup will feature a series of events centered around penguins and polar science.

The library will kick off the month with Polar Board Games on Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Join us for a variety of Arctic-themed board games and be among the first to experience our new PolarVR headset playing Waddle: A Penguin’s Tale. The game allows players to see what it would be like to become a penguin.

All month kids can make a Rocking Penguin Paper Craft at the library’s walkin craft station. On Friday, Aug. 9, at 6:30 p.m., a family movie night featuring 'Johnny Puff: Secret Mission' will be held. This animated adventure follows a team of puffins as they embark on a daring quest to save the Arctic from a villainous plot. Patrons can make Peler Bead Penguins on Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and all ages can craft their own penguin-themed keychains, magnets, or earrings and have another chance to play the VR game of Waddle.

The Abbotsford Public Library invites everyone to “chill” out at the library and join in on these “cool” activities and check-out some equally “cool” books on polar and arctic science.

For more information, visit our website or stop by the library.