Q&A 

How do you hope the library’s immersive media initiatives will be described publicly, and what impact should they have on the community?

Public libraries with large-scale media walls are relatively rare. A comparable example is in Edmonton, Canada, where a digital immersion wall supports educational programming and university partnerships. Our goal is to bring similar immersive and hands-on experiences to our community, particularly for adult audiences. The installation would also support digital art, which currently lacks a dedicated exhibition space within our branches.

Has the AV partner determined the technology stack, or is that still open?

The technology stack has not yet been determined. We are intentionally waiting until a vendor is selected before committing to a specific platform to ensure the chosen system aligns with the project’s needs and capabilities.

Will the digital public art component include an external contributor portal, or will it be managed internally?

At this stage, the expectation is that the system will be managed internally by the library. Due to privacy, data, and county security requirements, systems that allow external vendors or contributors direct access are likely less desirable.

Who will interface with the system? Will interaction be limited to staff or open to the public?

The system will primarily be managed by staff. However, the library is open to opportunities for public interaction, including options such as QR-based engagement or other interactive interfaces that display real-time results on the screen. Any solution that meaningfully engages the public will be considered.

Are vendors encouraged to propose additional engagement ideas or concepts beyond the core scope?

Yes. The library welcomes innovative ideas that expand engagement or interactivity, provided the proposals clearly outline pricing so components can be evaluated individually based on budget and fundraising opportunities.

Can documentation from DeepBackground’s work on the project be shared with the selected vendor?

Yes. Documentation and research produced during the planning process—including strategy materials, findings, and user research—can be found here.

What types of groups are expected to use these spaces?

The project draws inspiration from environments such as the Hunt Library at NC State, which includes immersive and data visualization spaces. While Uptown Charlotte does not have the same concentration of university students, the library aims to create accessible opportunities for the public, businesses, and community members to experience immersive content, gaming, and large-scale visualization.

Templates and scalable resolutions for content—particularly for visualization platforms like Digiviz—will help ensure usability and accessibility for a broad range of users.

Should vendors propose off-the-shelf solutions, fully custom systems, or something in between?

The expectation is likely a hybrid approach. While a fully custom solution is appealing, the library must consider long-term support and operational efficiency. A system based on adaptable off-the-shelf components with some customization may be the most practical option.

What is the timeline for developing content in relation to the facility launch?

Currently there is no significant body of pre-existing content. One concept under consideration is a short documentary-style video produced with the Arts and Science Council about the creation of a public art piece and its significance to the community.

Beyond that, content development will depend in part on the capabilities of the selected software platform. Interactive elements—potentially including motion-capture cameras or similar technologies—may be incorporated once the technical framework is defined.

Is the immersive wall intended for artistic content or promotional messaging?

The immersive wall will primarily support artistic and creative content rather than traditional advertising. While the building will include a broader digital signage system capable of supporting announcements and messaging, the immersive wall is intended to serve as a dedicated space for digital art and creative expression.

Will the immersive wall integrate with other digital signage systems in the building?

The immersive wall should operate independently from the broader digital signage network.

Approximately how many staff members will operate the system?

Final staffing levels are still pending budget approvals. However, it is expected that a small group of building specialists and members of the IT team will manage the system.

What might the content approval workflow look like?

Content management will likely be divided between the Immersive Theater and DigiViz spaces. The Immersive Theater will require more frequent content creation, while DigiViz may function more as a plug-and-play visualization platform. Approval responsibilities may rest with a small number of staff members, such as branch leadership or designated managers.

Will the Immersive Theater be exclusive to this location, or could content be shared with other branches?

The Immersive Theater will initially be unique to this location. However, the library has long-term interest in potentially expanding similar capabilities to other branches.

Are there accessibility requirements beyond WCAG compliance?

Accessibility features such as closed captioning, translation capabilities, and multilingual support are welcomed and encouraged. These capabilities will help ensure the space remains accessible to diverse audiences and programming needs.

Could the immersive system support quieter, sensory-friendly programming such as yoga or meditation sessions?

Yes. Previous consultation work suggested using traffic data to identify quieter times—such as mornings—to support lower-stimulus programming like meditation or yoga. This concept is included among the ideas associated with the project’s planning.

Is there a specific camera or motion-tracking system planned?

A camera system with motion-tracking capabilities has been discussed, based on recommendations from the county’s AV team. However, a specific model has not yet been selected. Because screens are already installed, the system would likely need to be installed afterward rather than embedded in the initial construction.

Will the informational session slide deck and additional research materials be posted?

Yes. The presentation slides can be found here. Additional materials from DeepBackground’s user-experience engagement—including audience profiles, use cases, and experience goals—can be found here.