Well, after a campaign to try and convince the
director of my library to bring let me start a collection of circulating console
games at the library, the assistant director and I finally got the good news
that we had accomplished that a few months ago. I hadn't gotten around to
ordering them because I was waiting for them to figure out how to put them into
the catalog so patrons could find them there.
At our last department head
meeting, I had brought it up. The director said to not bother waiting and start
buying before people start claiming the money because the end of the budget year
is coming.
So, earlier in the week, I had called over to the local
GameStop store to see if I could meet with the manager so he could help me
select a starter collection. I figure that he could do a better job than I could
on my own. The only restriction that I had (besides the size of the budget) is
that the games could not have more than a T (for Teen) rating.
All went
well, and I spent all but $4 of what I was given and walked out with a good
start. I would have liked more, but it was better than nothing so I couldn't
really complain.
The guys at the store were so surprised to hear that the
library was going to have these available as part of our collection. I guess I
made the library seem so much cooler than they pictured us. They were telling
everyone who came in the store what I was doing.
I can't wait to have
them cataloged and put on the shelf so we can see how well they circulate. I
think if they do well, I might get more money to keep adding to the collection.
Keep your fingers crossed for me.
4 comments on Games at the Library
Add a comment
To add comments without entering your email and image verification, you must be logged in. Login or Join Blogster
Wow, what a great idea. I've never heard of libraries doing this. Might help attract the young folk and perhaps get them interested in checking out some reading material.
That is the hope. When we kick off the colleciton, I am going to do a display of books with it that has books that tie in with various games and that have gaming as a part of the plot.
AJ
Be careful not to let the library turn into a hangout, but what a great way to draw in the young folks. I like your idea about having books with related subject matter to games nearby and encouraged, like story books with gaming themes, stories including game characters, maybe even some non-fiction educational books on how the games are made or were invented or how to make games of your own. I don't think you want to turn the library into an arcade, but it will be fun for the "kids". I can also see the games and the area being used as a break for studying, fun time after the completion of a library class or program, a meeting place before some activity, a part of a book reading club where participants are reading and discussing those related books together and then play games after, etc. Wow! I see these games as a great addition to the library!
You hit what we are trying to do right on the head.
AJ