Library Manager Erik Surber and his staff accept funds for an Oculus from Secretary of State Michelle Reagan (right). Photo by Adam Wolfe

Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan stopped in for a visit to the Maricopa Public Library to see a demonstration of the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset Wednesday afternoon.

The library was awarded $9,425 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to purchase the virtual reality equipment. Reagan brought an oversized check with her to present to the library’s staff, and she stuck around to see members of the library’s S.M.A.R.T. Kids program test the Oculus system.

“This is a grant we are sure is going to engage and inspire and prepare the next generation of youth,” Reagan said. “We want to better prepare the youth for advanced classes and allow them to gain the technology we know they’ll need in later employment.”

According to a statement released by Maricopa Assistant City Manager Jennifer Brown, the Oculus Rift is the latest advancement in virtual reality technology. Though it is still in development, and gaming is its primary, educational and business applications are currently being explored.

“We live in a digital world and there is no going back,” Reagan said. “Libraries like yours understand this better than most and are expanding their traditional collections to include this new and exciting technology.”

Reagan chose not to test the equipment for herself, but the line of children waiting to have a turn on the system shows the money will be immediately put to use.

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Adam Wolfe
Adam Wolfe
http://inmaricopa.com
Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams. Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams. Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams.
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