Merge to Pilot AR/VR Headset Program with Broward County Library
Ft. Lauderdale, February 1, 2019 - 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.
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.”
“Today’s kids and young adults are visual learners and this is transforming how information is consumed,” said Steve Patti, Chief Marketing Officer, Merge. “Technologies such as AR and VR stimulate intellectual curiosity and discovery in ways not possible with physical or electronic books. We are excited to work with the Broward County Library as we believe offering new learning mediums such as AR and VR can help ensure that libraries remain vibrant for future generations.”
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.
For more news and information about Merge, please visit www.mergeedu.com, and follow on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Visit Merge at booth #1931 to learn more about its new products, educator resources and resellers.
ABOUT Merge
Founded in 2014, Merge develops award-winning augmented reality and virtual reality products for experiential learning and content creation. The company’s product ecosystem consists of Merge Cube, Merge Headset, Merge Miniverse content portal and Merge EDU active learning platform. Together, these products enable kids ages 10+ to interact with AR/VR content and experience the world around them in entirely new ways while giving teachers new tools to increase student engagement, intellectual curiosity and classroom achievement. The company’s AR/VR technology is being used in libraries, museums, universities, healthcare, environmental science, and other industries to enhance learning. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, USA, the company’s products are sold globally, including localized versions of many of its parent-approved apps on Merge Miniverse. To learn more, visit the company’s website.
