I’m not sure if this is ripple effect from Gaming @ your library day or school vacation week… or fallout from the debut of MarioKart for theWii and Grand Theft Auto IV this week… or simply that gaming is snowballing, and becoming commonplace; there have been some great stories in the news this week about gaming events and programs.
The following articles and links may give you programming ideas or quotes you can use in making the case for gaming @ your library.
Gaming is a drop in program twice a week at the Dover (MA) Town Library; librarian Bonnie Peirce is anticipating participation in AADL‘s national leaderboards.
The Gearhart (OR) Elementary School has incorporated Wii Sports as a recess activity; librarian Marian Rose notes the social interactions between the students are helpful.
The Springville (UT) Public Library is hosting a monthly gaming night that runs the gamut of everything from Blokus to Dance Dance Revolution. Shelley Maag, senior clerk at the library, looks forward to serving this historically underserved age group.
Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. tournaments on the GameCube still reign supreme at the St. Joseph (MO) Public Library. Naruto may be on the agenda for next month’s tournament.
Public libraries in Virginia are offering a variety of programs, activities and services connected to gaming, including Guitar Hero programs and circulating collections of videogames.
Rock Band has come to the Corvallis-Benton County (OR) Public Library, along with Halo 3 and Guitar Hero. Librarian Andrew Cherbas facilitiates programs at multiple locations, tailoring the events to each library and the teens. The library’s blog features impressive video footage of teen gamers that has been posted to YouTube.
The Allegany County (MD) Library System (MD) will be hosting “Gaming Wiik” (clever title!) as part of the summer reading program.
Speaking of reading, at the Chadron (NE) Public Library, circulation of teen materials has increased in the last year, from 20-30 items per month to 300 items per month, since the introduction of their gaming program that includes in-house use of a PlayStation and Madden ’08, Major League Baseball ’08, and the racing game Gran Turismo 4. Library Director Scott Kinney says, of serving the gamer niche, “We’re no longer a warehouse of books… we’re a community center, a social setting for everyone.”
Share your gaming success story in the comments below!