Innovation Roadmap: Reading the Future with Ray-Ban Metaglasses

Innovation Strategy & Roadmap:

Reading the Future with Ray-Ban Metaglasses

 

The Idea

Using Ray-Ban MetaGlasses we will create a reading lab to support our literacy volunteers in teaching children and adults alike to read, or sharpen their reading skills. This technology can also read to those with low vision who can no longer read to themselves, easily expanding the documents available to non-sighted patrons. According to the ALA, 7% (12 million) Americans suffer vision impairment, with that number set to double by 2050. (2025).

Ray-Ban MetaGlasses (herein referred to as “metaglasses” or “the glasses”) are available with clear, non-prescription glass. The glasses require very little training, and can be used by more than one person without having to create individual accounts. The glasses follow simple commands, such as “Hey Meta, what am I looking at?” “Hey Meta, what time is it?” or, for our purposes, “Hey Meta, read this to me.” With this simple command, Meta takes a photo of the words (whether on a page or otherwise,) and reads it to the wearer of the glasses, through the earphones located on the temple band. Meta is capable to detecting other languages and translating the text to the wearer.

Wearing these glasses while reading can support emerging readers of any age by reading the words to them as they follow along. With the additional ability to read various languages, English language students can use the power of these lenses to translate what they are reading. Even more liberating, Metaglasses can help patrons with lost or low vision to enjoy text-based stories.

Mission & Institutional Context

Our library is dedicated to being a welcoming community hub for the exchange of information and stories and we consider learning to read is a human dignity. To that end, we will employ Metaglasses to support and provide equitable access our materials and programs for any patron.

Literacy is a key component of all libraries. While the definition and form of literacies has increased our ability to share stories through different formats (text, graphics, emoji, etc,) being able to read text is a freedom. Much of the world’s communication is text-based: street signage, storefronts, email, text message. Giving instructions via emoji or graphic is not as efficient as text, thus learning to read text is vital to successful communication.

Metaglasses can be made available to anyone at any time. A patron will always benefit most from learning to read from a trained literacy specialist, however Metaglasses can support the path to independence and fluidity in reading, or expand the availability of library materials to those with low vision. With increased library hours and human volunteer limitations, Metaglasses can fill-in when our volunteers are unavailable. Patrons can maintain their learning on their own schedule. This can be particularly helpful to adults who work all day.

As our strategic plan challenges us to connect more patrons to the library in various ways, we expect that Metaglasses will be a valuable addition of useful technology.

 

Action Brief Statement

To convince our stakeholders that by using Ray-Ban Metaglasses for reading support, they will expand overall literacy skills, patron’s self-worth, and use of the library building and website, for the inclusivity of all library patrons because our library is dedicated to equitable access to the enjoyment of materials, spaces, and programs.

Inspiration

“Seek out an opportunity to test drive the tech and think about how it might play a role in the lives of your patrons.” (Stephens, 2019).

The inspiration comes from library staff using the technology for their own personal benefit and application in everyday life. The glasses create for hands-free functionality, including phone calls and messages (when toggled to a phone,) asking basic questions of Meta, giving direction, reading and translating signage, and taking hands-free photos and videos. Through everyday use of the technology, staff realized these glasses would be a support to literacy.

 

How to use Metaglasses

 

Guidelines & Policies

Metaglasses are fairly simple to use, however the program should fall under the control of the library’s IT department since the glasses are a sophisticated technology. The glasses require connection to a computer, ipad, or phone. From there, the glasses can be worn and used by any patron. Because the glasses touch near eyes, some cleanliness guidelines will be required of users, and can be defined as the program unfolds. Immediate suggestions would include wiping the user’s face with a sanitizing wet wipe prior to wearing the glasses, and cleaning the glasses with another wet wipe after use.

Timeline for Implementation

It is estimated that roll-out of the Metaglasses program at our library would take roughly 6 months from purchase order to initial soft-launch. The key phases of the implementation include but are not limited to:

1. Purchase of the Metaglasses and installation with corresponding library hardware (ipad/computer/phone.)
2. Inventory and tracking devises should be installed on each set of glasses. This would beep just like a book would if not checked-out before leaving the library.
3. Creation of information and instruction cards for patrons: this would be a small laminated card with a list of uses, and instructions of commands for different uses, such as:
   • Reading with Metaglasses is simple! While looking at a page, use the command, “Hey Meta, read me this page.” Meta will take a photo of the text and begin reading. A QR code can be provided so the instructions are also read to the wearer.
   • For non-sighted patrons, instructions can be provided in braille or an audio recording played on the glasses.
   • Providing a staff member to assist patrons, particularly in the beginning of the program.
   • Space for storage of the glasses when not in use.
4. Scheduling classes during regular programming hours. Also provide an instructional how-to video on the library website.

The tech will be available to all patrons and conveniently located in the literacy center. This will provide some control and ability for staff to do mini-feedback interviews with patrons as they use the glasses. As the staff and patrons become more comfortable with the glasses, it can be considered to supply each department with pairs of the glasses for easy access.

Marketing & Promotion

Our library is a smaller library in a community of roughly 30,000 residents on the outskirts of the Silicon Valley. Meta has a large presence and is well-known in the area. Our library will first introduce the concept to staff through a regular staff meeting. The tech department will follow-up with an email covering the roll-out. Staff will have the opportunity to use the Metaglasses within the library to test them out and see how the glasses could be applicable to their assigned department. Questions and suggestions will be welcomed and addressed to the program oversight committee as well as the tech department.

Once the program is set and ready for use by patrons, the library will host scheduled times for patrons to learn about the devises and test them out. This will be promoted prominently on the library website, and banners for “check out our new tech” can be printed and installed inside the library. The marketing message will focus on opening up a world of reading, writing, and entertainment to emerging readers as well as those with limited vision.

The program can be mentioned during story times for children above pre-school age who are learning to read.

Externally, we will partner with local schools, local opticians, tutors who use the library, and teacher associations to promote this new technology. Promotion on our website and social media pages will be made. Emails can be sent to appropriate organizations, and phone calls can be made to follow-up. Through our Board/Friends of the Library, we hope to connect with Meta itself to create an alliance and further promotion of the product, as well as reduced upfront cost and set-up.

 

Staff Training & Readiness

Metaglasses are simple to use, however complications often arise when any devise is used en masse. The library tech department will be in charge of teaching staff in how to use the Metaglasses. Small group meetings will facilitate teaching. Laminated command cards ( text and braille) can be made to prompt staff on Metaglasses capacities. All department computers will have the Meta app installed for quick-reference. Given that Metaglasses can be useful for any patron in any department, all willing staff should be trained to use the glasses.

Evaluation & Future Expansion

Success of this program will take time to show results. Patience is key. The two target groups: emerging readers, and limited-sighted patrons, will be the initial focus. It is hoped that these initial users (patrons) will be able to expand their personal skills and expand their use of library materials. Low-sighted patrons will now have more than braille, audiobooks, and audio-recordings to choose from at the library. The aim is that these patrons will have more freedom to use the library catalog, materials, and website with independence.

As the program gains usefulness, the glasses can be used by a wider patron group to take photos and also record short videos. This capacity allows patrons to contribute to social content or visual storytelling programs like never before. The glasses can also possibly be used by students who need to make recordings for projects, including gaming. The program can grow as Meta updates and expands its offering through the glasses.

Feedback will be gathered at the check-out point for the glasses, initially located in the literacy department. Staff will have quick conversations and record results to be reviewed by tech and library administration. Paper surveys will be less valuable given the initial focus patron will be an emergent reader or low-sighted individual. The program will grow and improve upon itself with user and staff feedback.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

American Library Association. (2025, July 8). Blindness and low vision. https://www.ala.org/accessibility/blindness-and-low-vision

 

Meta. (2025). How to use Ray-Ban Meta glasses. https://www.meta.com/help/ai-glasses/289032793766239/?srsltid=AfmBOoo-cZtJHHw0BmZiuzjYvPZZ_C8l9bdtxAYHmIZjcP1d2wgOz-7y

 

Stephens, M. (2004, Nov 1). Technoplans vs technolust. Tamingtheweb. https://tametheweb.com/2004/11/01/technoplans-vs-technolust/

 

Stephens, M. (2019). Wholehearted librarianship: Finding hope, inspiration, and balance. ALA Editions.