Gloucestershire Libraries logo with two photos of people enjoying the new virtual reality experience, with one person touching bubbles on a wall wearing a headset and another photo of a group of people in a virtual beach setting.

Digital Inclusion – Oakley Interactive Space

Libraries in Gloucestershire are welcoming spaces that bring people together. They offer access to books, culture, learning, and also technology. 

32 libraries across Gloucestershire welcome people of all ages and backgrounds. They aim to reduce isolation, support wellbeing, and meet the changing needs of local communities. 

Connection to Barnwood Trust

Gloucestershire Libraries noticed that many local people in the Whaddon area of Cheltenham had little or no access to digital spaces or support. They wanted to create a new way for people to experience stories and digital content. With support from Barnwood’s Digital Inclusion Fund and the Libraries Improvement Fund (via Arts Council England), they opened the Oakley Interactive Space in July 2023.

The space includes public computers, a lending library and a new immersive reality room. This room offers 360-degree digital experiences — from children’s books and art galleries to natural environments and more. It allows people to enjoy activities they might not otherwise access, making these experiences more inclusive and accessible.

What happened?

Since opening, Oakley Interactive Space has welcomed people of all ages and backgrounds. Most visitors now come to explore the immersive room.  

It has also become a space for digital inclusion events, including: 

  • Wellbeing sessions: A local charity used the immersive room for a movement and wellbeing course for people with Parkinson’s and dementia. Participants explored calming environments like beaches and woodlands while taking part in gentle activity. 
  • Education sessions: Local nurseries, special education schools, and a local primary school have all taken part in sessions using the immersive room. Children and young people have visited virtual versions of the Moon, the Sahara Desert, and the River Nile. The sessions support learning, emotional wellbeing, and life skills. 
  • Library activities: Regular Storytime and Library Littles sessions now take place in the immersive room. Themes include the ocean, woodland, and space. At Christmas, the space becomes Santa’s grotto. These sessions combine storytelling, nursery rhymes and sensory play.

Making a difference 

The immersive room is helping more people access digital experiences in a fun, safe, and inclusive way. It is now a part of Gloucestershire Libraries’ digital inclusion work and continues to grow in popularity.

This summer, the team will use the immersive room to support The Library Challenge, helping children explore the natural world—without leaving their local library.