Video Games in Libraries... SHOCK HORROR!
Don't worry, there's a point to that story...
Cut to the Nebraska Library Commission, where, according to GamePolitics, some of it's staff (and department) are currently in hot water by the sensational press after a youtube video appeared online of said staff deep in a rousing game of Rock Band, during office hours. Unfortuately for the rocking librarians, a viewer took offense at this (jealous much?) and took it to higher ups, causing a investigation. And even more unfortunate was the fact the story ended up making it's way, sensationalised, onto the local TV station's news program: Action News 3.
Thankfully though, that higher up, Library Commission Director Rob Wagner (oooh, fancy) stood by his staff members with this to say:
...He says the library system is branching out into video games to bring more young people into the libraries.
I don't know how to feel about libraries embracing video games. On one hand, it's very good to see them willing to adapt to today's current technologies and trying to reach out to young people. But on the other, do you destroy the purpose of a library by introducing something that doesn't allow for quiet meditation and study? (That's my view of a library, feel free to challange me on that). Also, like I mentioned inthe story at the beginning of this article, they just don't seem to attract the kind of attention that the library has in mind. I'm interested to read what you readers think.
Mr.Mog!
Posted to Video Games on 26 February 2009
· Comments (7)
Other stuff like this: library, new age, rock band
As a future Librarian and a gamer, I recognize that games are a commercial, cultural and increasingly important art form to society that does need to be preserved for reference and future generations.
In other words, I think this is pretty brilliant. In fact, I think playing Silent Hill 1-3 is of better intellectual value than reading a Stephen King novel, at the very least. And every single Legend of Zelda game has more merit than Eragon. And Castlevania certainly has more thought, creativity, and talent poured into it than Twilight.
Kudos to this new era.
Libraries aren't just buildings where books are kept, you know.
Anyone interested in this topic should take a look at Dewey Decimals and Dance Dance Revolution over at The Escapist.
At my library, we occasionally have gaming tournaments. There's space for it and it brings kids and teens together and into the library. There's a small games collection available for borrowing and they are more popular than the DVDs around here.
Kids and teens come to the library to borrow books and movies for fun, do research for school assignments, to socialize, use the computers to make PowerPoint presentations and to play flash games, and yes to borrow video games. The library is a wonderful place that has the power to do all these things for its community.
This set up is pretty obviously in a meeting space (note overhead projector) and would not disturb the quiet book spaces. The room is being used for a presentation - but of video games. Libraries frequently do teen outreach with events like all night lock ins with video games and movies. As a future librarian, just getting a new face through the door is a good thing. Remember, libraries are supported by public dollars and have an obligation to provide media to the public. Gaming is more of a mainstream activity now than ever before in my life, I fully support librarians bringing video games to us with our tax dollars.
Aww. That first link was supposed to go to this photo. Tiny comment fail. Now excuse me while I go back to playing Okami, Psychonauts, SSX On Tour, and Kingdom Hearts from my local library.
I could see a complaint if the librarians were just playing Rockband all day and not working. Then there might be a problem. The way I see it, if the library is only supposed to be about books then take out all the movies, dvds, computers and other non-written materials.
The benefit of having them in the library outweighs the non-existent harm, to me anyway.
I don’t have a problem with video games in libraries. Libraries already have books, newspapers, magazines, movies, and the internet. This is just one more media. I do however feel that the videogame should be either muted or have mandatory headphones. (over ear not in ear) When I go to a library -and I do occasionally- I want a quiet environment.
Guitar Hero/ Rock Band would bother me to no end just for the constant clicking on the instruments.
PS: in the video the game has its own little room so that’s perfect.