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Video Games in Libraries?

Submitted by ewilliams on Tue, 09/03/2013 - 13:58

This recent opinion column on CNN.com about video games in libraries misses the mark. The author's premise is that libraries are using video games to lure teenagers into the buildings to stay relevant in the digital age. While bringing new customers in might be a side effect, our video game programming certainly has grander purposes. Just like children need creative play periods and adults desire community-building and education in their library experiences, teenagers in our libraries deserve developmentally appropriate, positive, safe socialization so they can learn and grow.
 
Check out this list of 40 Developmental Assets for adolescents (age 12-18). These competencies and values can be learned and applied through our library programming for teenagers. A group of teens playing video games in a library setting are most definitely experiencing the social competencies and positive identity assets listed. They are also learning about necessary positive values needed to get along with others; honesty, integrity, responsibility, and restraint are all important in group game play. And librarians are vital in our community as "other adult relationships" for at-risk teens who might not have many other caring grown-ups in their lives.
 
A similar article from NPR paints a better picture of what's really going on. Teens playing video games in libraries are talking strategy, having in-depth analytical discussions, making new friends and bonding with existing ones, and are seeing the library as a place that is welcoming and relevant to their interests.
 

Tags: 
Teens, Programs, Read and React

Comments

2
Thu, 09/05/2013 - 10:55
aemmons
Eloquent!

Thank you for putting forth this topic in such an eloquent way! This clearly stated to staff why these programs are important and valid in a library setting. I suppose now the question we should be asking ourselves is how to make it more obvious to library customers why these programs support the library's goals and objectives.

I'd love to see disucssion on how to achieve this!

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Thu, 09/05/2013 - 10:59
kbauman
RE: Video Games in Libraries?

Thank you, the links to the articles were especially interesting to me.

The long debate over what 'should' belong in a library is still strong.  Years ago, in library school, I learned that at one time there was a debate over whether children's books and even fiction should be in a library. So, it seems no surprise that the interest would surface over whether video gaming should be in a library.  John Berry, III in his article entitled Mission Creeps On, which appeared in the 2/15/13 issue LJ, says:

"It is an old debate, and the specific details differ by type of library. It began even before Melvil Dewey, LJ's first editor, declared in these pages that the librarian is no longer "a mouser in musty books." It echoed through the decades-long argument over whether fiction was suitable for public library collections. That argument continued repeatedly, when libraries added such diversions as cheap romance novels, movies, videotapes, vinyl records and CDs, and, of course, the growing array of new technologies like photocopiers, microform readers, and the machines and methods to deliver their services online over the Internet.

...Every replay of that old debate about the library mission is a very welcome signal of our professional good health. It means that, in controversy and argument as always, we are discussing our way to a central role in the future of our society. There is nothing wrong with that."

What is our mission and what are our strategic plan responses?  How can we help others understand why we offer the services we offer? Similar to what Emily shared here, let's connect the dots to more clearly show the link between our services, mission and strategic plan responses.  

To further that discussion, recently I gathered some information asking similar questions about our strategic plan response Satisfy Curiosity and Encourage Lifelong Learning. The archived chat and information can be found here: http://my.metrolibrary.info/drupal/news/live-video-chat-lifelong-learning By visiting that link you'll find thoughts on what is lifelong learning and how each of us can help the System with that direction.

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