Examines how libraries have integrated games and gaming into their services and programming, why games are a logical and natural fit for libraries, and why librarians supporting gaming is a good thing for the gaming industry and for gaming culture, specifically in regards to issues of educational value, gaming as an art form, and free speech/First Amendment issues.
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Games in the Stacks
1. Games in the
Stacks
M. Brandon Robbins
Young Adult Services Coordinator
Wayne County Public Library
2. Games in the Stacks
For the past several years, libraries of all types
have integrated games and gaming into their
services, collections, and programs.
This is a good thing for libraries, as it brings in
new patrons and keeps them in pace with
current media trends.
However, this is also a good thing for gamers
and the gaming industry.
3. About Me
2005 Graduate of Mount Olive College, B.A.
English
Currently attending East Carolina University,
Master’s in Library Science
Employed at Wayne County Public Library
since 2002, currently serving as Young Adult
Services Coordinator
Frequent contributor to 8bit Library and
Library Journal’s Games, Gamers, and Gaming
blog.
4. Games and Gaming
How librarians think:
Games: the actual media itself
Gaming: the act of playing of games
5. What Libraries Are
Doing
Ann Arbor District Library was perhaps the
first library to introduce games.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg library system
built a library exclusively for children and teen
services; games and gaming was a major draw.
Wayne County Public Library hosted its first
ever Geeks and Gamers Festival in 2005.
More and more libraries want to add games
and gaming to their services.
6. What Libraries Are
Doing
Heavy focus on social gaming
Tournaments
All-ages appropriate games
Circulating games
7. National Initiatives
The American Library Association (ALA)
supports games and gaming in the library.
ALA partnered with Verizon to fund ten
libraries with $5,000 grants for gaming
initiatives.
There is a Members Interest Group within
ALA to help shape the future of games and
gaming in libraries.
Open Game Nights at ALA Conferences to give
libraries first-hand experience with games.
8. Why Should We Care?
Legitimacy
Access
Education
Advocacy
9. Legitimacy
Games as an art form.
Games as a viable form of learning.
Gaming as a way for the community to come
together and build meaningful relationships.
Games as something other than a kid’s
plaything.
10. Access
Almost no barriers to experience new games,
either at gaming programs or by checking
them out.
Will want to further explore the games we
have.
11. Education
Libraries have “make your own game”
workshops.
Librarians educate the educators on how
games can be used in the classroom.
12. Advocacy
Librarians are fierce defenders and supporters
of the First Amendment.
They are on the side of video game developers
and publishers who stand against censorship.
They encourage responsible parenting and
making informed opinions about determining
entertainment choices for children.
13. We Can Work
Together
Libraries need the support of their public to
keep the doors open.
Support your local public library’s gaming
initiatives.
If they don’t offer any, see what you can do to
make it happen!
