Last night at a board meeting, I failed to convince the Friends to buy a Nintendo Wii system for our library. I was hoping that I could use one of these articles to help them understand that games can have a place at the library. I am not sure that either article makes a strong enough case. The NYT article might help, but it is about more than just games for programming. It is about big bucks to buy games to circulate, and I am not in favor of spending ever scarcer resources for that. The Shifted Librarian article is a mixed bag, too. The pro-game message is diluted by phrases like "Others browse the library for comic books ..." or "He talks smack and teases gamers ... or "The council plans tournaments and develops rules (such as no cussing)."
Personally, I don't think that offering games as programming to attract teens to the library is any different that what we do now by having puppet shows for kids or domino tournaments for seniors. We want to bring people to the library to enjoy themselves and feel welcome. While they are here, we can introduce them to our materials and other services. I am sure that a teen who came to the library for a gaming program and had a good time with friends is much more likely to come back with friends to work on a school project.
American Library Association President Loriene Roy has commented that “Gaming is a magnet that attracts library users of all types and, beyond its entertainment value, has proven to be a powerful tool for literacy and learning.”
ALA has announced a $1 million study into the impact of gaming on literacy skills. The ALA will build a model for library gaming that can be deployed nationally. The Librarians’ Guide to Gaming will be developed in collaboration with leading gaming experts in order to create a comprehensive online literacy and gaming toolbox. It will then be tested in selected libraries before being rolled out across the US.
Personally, I don't think that offering games as programming to attract teens to the library is any different that what we do now by having puppet shows for kids or domino tournaments for seniors. We want to bring people to the library to enjoy themselves and feel welcome. While they are here, we can introduce them to our materials and other services. I am sure that a teen who came to the library for a gaming program and had a good time with friends is much more likely to come back with friends to work on a school project.
American Library Association President Loriene Roy has commented that “Gaming is a magnet that attracts library users of all types and, beyond its entertainment value, has proven to be a powerful tool for literacy and learning.”
ALA has announced a $1 million study into the impact of gaming on literacy skills. The ALA will build a model for library gaming that can be deployed nationally. The Librarians’ Guide to Gaming will be developed in collaboration with leading gaming experts in order to create a comprehensive online literacy and gaming toolbox. It will then be tested in selected libraries before being rolled out across the US.
At PLA in Minneapolis this year, a session on intergenerational programs at the library included some excellent family competitions based on the Nintendo Wii concept. I am determined to gather more information and go back to the Friends' group to gain their support for this proposal.
Regarding the Carnegie Mellon games, I could not get through the highest level. Speed is not my strong point, and that is a big part of a lot of games. I am thinking that since so many of our paid shelvers and volunteer shelvers are young, developing our own Dewey-based "Shelve This!" type of game might be a good teaching tool.
Regarding the Carnegie Mellon games, I could not get through the highest level. Speed is not my strong point, and that is a big part of a lot of games. I am thinking that since so many of our paid shelvers and volunteer shelvers are young, developing our own Dewey-based "Shelve This!" type of game might be a good teaching tool.
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