Gaming (L4L)
Background
Teens represent an underserved population in many public libraries, often because it’s difficult to attract teens into the library. Some libraries have had success attracting teens making games available. While many OWLS libraries circulate board games and provide computer access for online games, few offer structured gaming opportunities. Libraries that host gaming programs typically report having positive experiences and high numbers of teens at the programs. As libraries look to serve their communities by offering after school activities for teens, gaming provides a new means of outreach and an opportunity to make the library a welcoming place for them. Gaming programming can also be successful with age groups other than teens. Seniors, for example, can benefit greatly from gaming activities.
Blogs & web sites about gaming in libraries
4Librarians
A source for teen collection development and programming information focused on gaming, graphic novels and anime.
ALA TechSource Gaming Symposium
ALA TechSource’s symposium wiki is a great source for podcasts of presentations and reports that provide justification for gaming programs and examples of what kind of gaming is going on in libraries today.
Education Arcade
Partnership between MIT and University of Madison WI investigating educational games that promote learning through authentic and engaging play. Check out Research section for materials related to games and learning.
Game On: Games in Libraries
Game On strives to keep librarians up to date on gaming with convenient one-stop shopping for all your gaming news and information. It is a supplement to the Google LibGaming listserv, a forum for discussion of gaming in libraries.
Game Professor
This site includes frequently updated information about game research and video games, including academic papers on gaming topics like gender and gaming and game-based learning.
iLibrarian Quick Guide to Gaming in Libraries
Guide to some of the articles, reports and presentations available related to gaming in libraries.
Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki
Listing of upcoming gaming events, library success stories and other resources devoted to hosting gaming programs.
Pew Internet and American Life Project
Links to the Pew’s numerous studies on games, social software, teens and the Internet. A great place to learn about the impact technology has on American culture.
Syracuse University Library Game Lab
A site focused on researching the role of gaming in libraries. The site is maintained by Dr. Scott Nicholson, Associate Professor at Syracuse University School of Information Studies.
Bibliography of gaming resources
Videos
If you're not gaming you're losing!
Erik Boekesteijn and Jaap van de Geer, DOK Library Concept Center, travel to Chicago to explore gaming in libraries. Interviews with bibliobloggers Jenny Levine, Michael Stephens and Leah White and visits to Kankakee Public Library and Shaumburg Township District Library give us some insights into potential benefits of gaming for communities in this 40 min documentary.
Podcasts, reports and blog posts
Gaming in the Library
Jenny Levine, SirsiDynix Institute podcast from March 2007
The Role of Gaming in Libraries: Taking the Pulse [pdf]
Dr. Scott Nicholson, presentation from 2007
Online Gaming Is More Popular than Facebook and YouTube
The Shifted Librarian, blog post, August 2007
Console gaming a hit with all ages
Librarian in Black, blog post, March 2007
Gaming in Libraries
Tyler Rousseau, PowerPoint presentation given to the New Jersey Library Association
Are You Game
Aaron Schmidt, School Library Journal, June 2006 p.52-54
Gaming for Librarians: An Introduction [pdf]
Heather Wilson, VOYA February 2005
7 Things You Should Know About... Wii [pdf]
A document from Educause addressing the Wii video game system. Answers the questions: What is it? Who's doing it? How does it work? Why is it significant? What are the downsides? Where is it going? What are the implications for teaching and learning?
Books
Gamers…in the Library?! The Why, What, and How of Videogame Tournaments for All Ages
Eli Neiburger, 2007
Gaming and Libraries: Intersection of Services
Jenny Levine, Library Technology Reports, Sep/Oct 2006, v.42, issue 5
How Computer Games Help Children Learn
David Williamson Shaffer, 2006
What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. Second Edition: Revised and Updated Edition (Paperback)
James Paul Gee, 2007
Supporting public libraries in Outagamie and Waupaca counties