1. Your Patron is in in Another
Castle
The Future of Gaming in Public Libraries
A presentation by:
Rachael Black
Sara Killough
and Chris Magnifico

2. Seattle Public Library
Facts
In 2010:
•Central Library + 26 Branches
•Circulated 11,376,194 items.
Including:
•5,199,449 AV items
•232,902 digital items
•Collection of 2,287,730 items.
Including:
•77, 631 digital items
•14,221,230 visitors
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Seattle_Public_Library.jpg

3. Benefits of Gaming
• Educational
• Information Seeking
• Improving literacy
• Community Building
• Third place for
Teens
• Brings together all
ages
http://cdn.ripten.com/wp‐content/uploads/2009/11/books‐games‐tough‐choice.jpg

4. Benefits of Gaming
• Encourages
reluctant readers
• Builds literacies
beyond print.
http://www.waltsense.com/storage/articles/20100111_Illiterate‐Goat.jpg

5. Professional Organizations
• ALA
• Supports gaming in
Public Libraries
• Encourages
programming
• Supports building a
circulating collection
http://cdn.gamingangels.com/wp‐content/uploads/2009/11/ala_logo.jpg

6. Professional Organizations
• YALSA
• Encourages gaming events for teens
• National Gaming Day initiative
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_meIxUgKkmTE/TMGidL0c6uI/AAAAAAAAABM/BUU‐hBxVhKs/s400/ALA_NGD_A.jpg

7. Despite these benefits, there is some
resistance towards including video games
in public libraries…
…from library professionals…
…and from the general public.
http://guildzilla.com/content/uploads/80/2b/802b2cca52c0e360a78822a1de34bba1.jpg

8. http://kotaku.com/5164768/librarians‐explain‐why‐video‐games‐at‐the‐library

10. In public libraries, there is some controversy as to whether librarians should prioritize
Circulating collections.
or
Programming
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/‐‐qJOgp‐w‐XE/Ta9k‐eW0E2I/AAAAAAAAAJI/Q2j‐GIBTX3c/s200/couple_arguing.jpg

11. Gaming at SPL
• Programming Based
• Events for Teens
• Third Place
• No circulating
collection
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/‐leOBxW4_yUw/Tay_RfOUyeI/AAAAAAAAAms/FtEjKL9Cd8E/s1600/Wii.jpeg

12. Instead, Seattle Public Library uses gaming kits to hold events at the library,
The kits focus on the social aspect of gaming.
http://www.dropshipstrategy.com/imgs/products/game‐console.jpg

13. In reality, the gaming kits look a lot more like this:

14. In order to update library
service with technology that is
readily available…
We believe Seattle
Public Library
should implement a
circulating collection
of video games.
However, several
problems arise from this
approach.
http://www.beautiful‐libraries.com/library%20photos/libraries%20in%20film/7113.jpg

15. Therefore, we believe the future of video games in
libraries…
…lies in digital distribution.
http://www.beautiful‐libraries.com/library%20photos/libraries%20in%20film/7113.jpg

16. OverDrive
Media
Console
Currently used for
eBook digital
distribution in many
libraries

21. …while pausing your game.

24. Digital Rights Management

25. Origin vs. Steam
No install No install
restrictions restrictions
Online Online
authentication authentication
“Offline Mode” Offline Mode
Guest Passes

26. Imagine the implications of digital distribution in a library setting…
…especially when considering cloud technology…