Challenges: Identifying a device/ecosystem/manufacturer that will remain viable and up-to-date in the rapidly changing AR industry, garnering staff and patron interest in a developing technology and ensuring the safe use of shared head-mounted display based devices.

Opportunities: Early access to future technology for children, teens and high-need communities; potential partnerships with educators and developers; and inspiring the next generation of computer scientists to develop apps for the world around them.

This project relies on the ML1 devices and software packages, combined with the library’s dedicated technology educators. By placing ML1s strategically within its media production and makerspaces, patrons learn directly from the most technologically savvy library staff in an environment that allows for the full experience and integration of AR technology. Learners move from the consumption of AR experiences into its possible integration into their broader multimedia projects.

To date, both within the library’s dedicated tech spaces and at special events throughout Miami-Dade County, hundreds of patrons have experienced augmented reality via Magic Leap One and its robust application packages, such as AnatomyX and ML Create. Additionally, the library has reached out to its community partners, including high schools and colleges, to provide their Computer Science students access to this exciting emerging technology and its potential integration into their scope of studies.