The MaintainIT Project
Gaming in Libraries:
A Book Club Discussion
Lori Reed
Employee Learning & Development Coordinator, PLCMC
For the audio portion of this discussion, you will need to use your phone.
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Cookbook Book Club
Today we will discuss Gaming in Libraries from The Joy of Computing: Planning for Success
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Define: game
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“A game is a structured activity, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes also used as an educational tool.”
-Wikipedia 2008
Define: game
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What games do you play? (check all that apply)
• Xbox/360• PS2/3• PSP/DS• Wii• DDR• Guitar Hero/Rock Band• Role Playing• Alternate Reality Games• Second Life• Board games• Puzzles• Card Games
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The MaintainIT Project Dial 866.740.1260 Access Code: 6339386
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Why gaming? Why should you care?
Benefits to libraries?
Benefits to the public?
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It’s About Community
“We are brining people together and helping to bridge the gaps that exist between people. These include those of race, economic status, education level and age group. Saturday gaming events have homeless adults, playing with teenagers. It’s a way to bring the community together.”
Martin HousePublic Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County
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Not just for teens
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Not just for the public
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What’s the state of gaming at your library?
• We host regular gaming events and tournaments.
• We have held a few gaming events.
• We are planning to offer gaming events.
• We do not allow games of any kind in our library.
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Getting Started
“Getting started is easier than ever before. It can be a chess club or inexpensive PS2s or Wii’s. It’s not about the glitz and glamour as much as it is about community and sharing an experience.”
Martin HousePublic Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County
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Planning
• Talk to your target audience.
• Create partnerships.
• If possible, borrow the games and the game consoles from local teens or a local gaming store.
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Other considerations
• Think about making formal competition part of your gaming events.
• Assess your game needs.• Be prepared for questions from parents
and other concerned citizens.• Be proactive with your publicity.
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Purchasing Equipment
• Consoles?
• Games?
• Wireless controllers?
• How many controllers?
• Extra TVs?
• Projector?
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Collection
• What games will you purchase?
• Will you consider the ratings?– http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp
• Will you let patrons bring in their own games?
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Board Games
“One of the things I've learned a lot about during the last year is how much more interesting modern board games are. They're a lot more social (the same way modern videogames are), they're more interesting because they tend to require strategy more than just the luck of the dice, and they’re very different from traditional board games that just required you to move around a board.”
Jenny Levine a.k.a The Shifted LibrarianALA
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Other Program Ideas
“Gaming at the library isn’t just about providing entertainment.”
Jason Hyatt
Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County
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Wisdom of the Crowd
“Gaming in Libraries is actually nothing new but the format has changed since we have grown up. Don’t feel like you have to be the expert of the game or the equipment in order to offer it as a service at your library. Think of yourself more as a guide and allow the knowledge and learning to come from the group.”
Kelly Czarnecki Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County
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Resources
ALA Gaming Newshttp://gaming.ala.org/news
ALA Gaming Wikihttp://gaming.ala.org/resources
Beth Gallaway’s Web Sitehttp://informationgoddess.info
Games in Libraries Podcasthttp://www.gamesinlibraries.org
Infopeople Resources on Gaming in Librarieshttp://infopeople.org/resources/gaming
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maintainitproject.org
The MaintainIT Project
For More InformationContact:
Lori Reed [email protected]
Visit our website: www.maintainitproject.org
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