Merge to Pilot AR/VR Headset Program with Broward County Library
Merge announces that its award-winning AR/VR headsets are now available for check out at select Broward County Library locations as a new medium for learning and discovery experiences.
Ft. Lauderdale, February 1, 2019
Nine Broward County Library locations will offer the Merge Headsets as part of a pilot program designed to bring new learning technology to the community. Participating branch locations include: Sunrise, Pompano Beach, Tamarac, Deerfield Beach, Southwest Regional Library, Hallandale Beach, Stirling Road, Carver Ranches and the African American Research Library and Cultural Center.
Library card holders can check out the phone-powered AR/VR Headset to access thousands of VR experiences available online. Additionally, the Merge Miniverse content portal offers more than 300 kid-safe VR and 360 video experiences from sources such as NASA, National Geographic, Disney, Google and more directly onto their Android or iOS smartphones.
The novel AR/VR headset pilot builds upon another innovative program launched in 2018 by Library Director Kelvin Watson to expose community members to new technology. That program allows library cardholders to check out iPads and the award-winning Merge Cube to allow library customers to learn, create and hold virtual objects such as the solar system, fossils and ancient artifacts in the palm of their hand.
“More and more, today's modern library is seeking innovative ways to improve how our customers access information and how we deliver it,” says Watson.
“The Merge Cubes and Merge Headsets are an amazing way to offer library users an interactive and immersive learning experience.”
About Broward County Libraries Division
Broward County Libraries Division, named 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is the largest library system in Florida by square footage and one of the busiest, with more than 7.5 million walk-in customers visiting its 38 locations annually. Broward County Libraries Division provides convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that satisfy the changing needs of the people of Broward County for information, education and recreation. Visit our website, Broward.org/Library, or follow Broward County Libraries on Facebook and Twitter.
