The Video Game Librarian: GameFest and the Bloomington Public Library

Written by John Scalzo  on August 26, 2005

Specials: Can't you just picture the head librarian busting a move to Dance Dance Revolution?

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Do you have a circulating game collection? If so what consoles and games have you added and which games do you plan to add?

Kelly: We don't but we will very soon. We plan to add games that are E and T rated probably for all the consoles. If we carry M rated games, which there is no plan too, children and young adults would not be able to check them out. (Library policy and Governor Blagojevich's law). We plan to take the teen gamers shopping with us on our first trek to EB Games for our circulating collection.

Also if so, do you have certain criteria for which games you want to add?

Kelly: The rating (E and T), popularity, and cost. Our biggest support will come from the teen gamers-what they recommend that we purchase and want to play. We'll secure them in the same cases that we use for DVDs.

Does the current political backlash over GTA: San Andreas worry you about introducing games into the library?

Kelly: Not at all-I think it's a great opportunity to educate people on the positives of video games and the importance of parents monitoring what their children are reading/viewing if they can. I'm more worried about the games walking out the door and never coming back!

Are you gamers yourselves? If so, what do you play?

Matt: I'm not a big gamer. I have staff that are, and I tend to get involved either by playing, watching or learning with my kids as they play anything from Sims to Star Wars to Katamari Damacy.

Kelly: I'm not an avid one-yet.

How do you think libraries should introduce video gaming to their patrons?

Kelly: Wow-there's so many ways! I think it depends on the climate of the community and support from administration on where to start. If there is opposition or uncertainty from the community, perhaps planning some educational discussions on the benefits of gaming would be a good start. If there is uncertainty from library admin, start out small and work to establish the support of the participants to keep returning.

If there's unfamiliarity or hesitation with coworkers, hold an in-service day to watch the most curmudgeon worker participate in DDR. Game cheat guides and books about gaming (fiction and nonfiction) are also a good way to start within the collection. Listening to what patrons are asking for in relation to gaming-or if they're not-survey a group. I've talked to many teens that want to research gaming as a career and have put together a guide for that.

If support from community or admin isn't too much of an issue-the sky is the limit! Invite a representative from a college that offers a program in Game Design, 3D animation, etc. Don't forget seniors-if you already teach a computer class to this group, video games are a great way to engage them (and their grandchildren). Getting the support of local organizations including schools, community centers or even movie theaters to hold an event, demo DDR, etc. Tie events in with school breaks for kids. Create opportunities for adults too-tied into the sporting events or book clubs for example. Check out libgaming.blogspot.com for librarians wanting news and information on gaming at the library-it's a great resource.

What place do you see games having in the library of the future?

Kelly: I think video games can be an activity that bridges gaps between age, gender, and ethnicity. Since libraries strive to be a place for equal access, games fit into this standard. The library has always been more than just a place that houses books. I anticipate that more teachers will find the worth in having students create projects that require interactivity and the multiple readings of texts, visual media, etc. I am hopeful that the skills gained from playing video games (social, strategy, identity, etc.) will be more valued as useful and intelligent and therefore libraries need to provide those resources.

Matt: For me it is a medium of interactivity and storytelling that we need to be a part of. We as a library profession need to look seriously at how this changes readers, listeners, culture and service to our communities. It is something that is capturing the attention and disposable income of millions of people, so it should mean something to us. The academic community is starting to come around to the fact that this is definitely something that needs to be paid attention to. The entertainment industry most certainly has been paying attention to it as well. We need to insert ourselves as the collectors and facilitators of culture that we are.

Finally, do you sneak in a few games of Pogo.com during work hours? We're all librarians here, you can tell me.

Kelly: I can't tell, my supervisor will be reading this!

My sincere thanks go out to Kelly and Matt and if you live in the Bloomington, IL area (or are anywhere within 100 miles), the next GameFest will be held on October 7. Anyone interested in dropping Kelly a line about anything can get a hold of her at kellyc@bloomingtonlibrary.org.

Video Game Books Revisited

If you'll recall, last month I talked about a few books that should be on every gamer's reading list. Obviously I forgot a few as a few suggestions trickled into my email box.

Our own Adam Wolcott suggested Lucky Wander Boy by D.B. Weiss. Lucky Wander Boy tells the story of Adam Pennyman, a twentysomething slacker (been there) who dreams of the favorite games of his youth while bored at work (so been there). He works through this boredom by writing a book about those favorite games (are we sure I'm not Adam Pennyman?).

Finally, my favorite video game librarian, Beth Gallaway, has suggested Gamers: Writers, Artists, and Programmers on the Pleasures of Pixels edited by Shanna Compton. Gamers offers up 24 essays by 24 people on their love of video games 24 hours a day. Personally, I was sold by the description from the book's website: "witty, widescreen views of how video games have become part of the cultural landscape." Awesome.

Needless to say, both of these books have been added to my reading list. Now, I just have to find them... So keep those emails coming and don't forget to check back next month for more adventures with the Video Game Librarian. Adventures in reading!

OK, that was weird, but if you missed any of the previous editions of The Video Game Librarian and you need to catch up here's:

The Video Game Librarian Archive