the power of gaming: a brief why, what, and how of video games in libraries

Maggie HommelPark Ridge Public Librarymhommel@prpl.org htt p://www.slideshare.net/magpie984

THE POWER OF GAMINGA Brief Why, What, and How of Video Games in Libraries

About MeCurrently: Reader Services ManagerPreviously: Young Adult LibrarianIn Between: Grant funded program at U of I to study

learning and literacy applications of technology (aka video games)

Definitions

Digital GamesComplex GamesWhat Makes a Game

FunChance (outcome is unpredictable)GoalCompetitionRules / StructureActive

Why Gaming?

72% of American households play video games

Average game player is 37In 2011, 29% of gamers older than 50 55% of gamers play on their phone or

handheld device

Source: 2011 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data. Entertainment Software Association

Why Gaming?

Why Gaming?

Super Better – Jane McGonigal

www.gamesforchange.org

Why Video Games?

Why Video Games?

Educational Benefits

But What About…

ViolenceAddictionInactivity Social Development

What’s new in Gaming – PS Vita

What’s new in Gaming – PS Vita

http://youtu.be/SKCZJIQBVLE

What’s New in Gaming – PS Vita

What’s New in Gaming - Movement

What’s New in Gaming – Wii U

Mobile Gaming

Mobile Gaming - Apps

Mobile Gaming - Facebook

Mobile Gaming

Minecraft

Other Trends Worth Mentioning

3-DAugmented Reality Multi-functional devices and consolesUser-created content

Video Game Collections

Coming Summer 2012 – ALA Editions

Starting a Collection

Challenges:Convincing StakeholdersEstablishing PolicyDeciding on ConsolesSelecting TitlesVendorsBudgetSecurity

Skokie Public Library’s Collection

Convincing Stakeholders

Will book circulation go down?Will it bring in new users? Will it serve underserved populations

(males 18-34)?What about violence?

Surveys, circ stats, reports

Establishing Policy

RatingsLoan period/renewalsLate finesLost Instruction BookletsLimitsInterlibrary loan

Establishing Policy: Ratings

http://esrb.com

Establishing Policies: Loaning Games

Materials Restrictions Loan Period

Renew Reserve Overdue Maximum Charge

Video Games

Registered patron of the Park Ridge Public Library; limit 5 per person

2 weeks

Yes (1 time only)

Yes $1.00 per day

$25.00 (but not to exceed retail cost)

Loan PeriodLimits on borrowingUse DVD or CD checkout policiesConsider number of items, flow of materialsLoan equipment with games?

Consoles

Consoles

Selecting TitlesOnline: www.gamespot.com, www.amazon.com,

www.metacritic.com, www.commonsensemedia.org Magazines: Electronic Gaming Monthly, Game

InformerAsk your patrons – informally or formally!Some traditional review journals

BudgetFigure around $49.99 – $59.99 for new games$19.99 -$39.99 for handheldsReplacement – Discs do get damaged; figure in

about 5%+ theft/non-return

SecuritySecurity cases – fit in DVD casesKeep discs behind the counter?FinesLimits on number of checkoutsCheck ID?

Video Game Programming: Tournaments

Video Game Programming: Open PlayWorks best with social gamesAsk what people want to playGood for After School Crowd

Waupaca, WI Public Library

Tips for Video Game Programming

Listen to Your UsersWhat are they playingWhat are they asking for?

Listen to Your Users

Yu Gi Oh Tournamentsdhudec@prpl.org

Angry Birds LiveRunescape TournamentMinecraft Tournament

ProgrammingMinecraft Competitionhttp://www.librarified.net/2011/06/16/a-minecraft-b

uilding-competition-at-my-library/

Tips for Video Game Programming

Use what is unique to the LibraryShared spaceSocial InteractionLarger ScaleChance to meet and interact

with new friendsCompetition

Tips for Video Game Programming

Video Game equipment and games are expensive, so use what you have:TeensGamer husbandsGamer friendsTheir equipmentTheir expertise

Provide Opportunities for All Ages

Gaming Programs for Adults

Library Pub Quiz WiiIntergenerationalFantasy Sports

Passive Programming

Make games and game design accessible on your computers

Provide WiFiGamers Lounge

Game Design in Libraries

PROBLEM-SOLVING AND PROJECT-DESIGN SKILLS logical reasoning debugging (problem solving) developing ideas from initial conception to

completed project sustained focus and perseverance

What does Game Design Teach?

MATHEMATICS Random Numbers Variables Cartesian Coordinate System Conditional statements Graphing / spatial relationships

What does Game Design Teach?

DESIGN PROCESS Idea generation Project creation Assessment and revision New idea Project creation Etc.

What does Game Design Teach?

Video Game Design

Free ProgramsScratch http://scratch.mit.edu Alice http://www.alice.org Robocode http://robocode.sourceforge.net/ Greenfoot http://www.greenfoot.org Unity 3D http://unity3d.com/ Gamemaker

http://www.yoyogames.com/make

Teaching Game Designhttp://scratched.media.mit.edu/

Teaching Game Design

Game Design ClubProvide software, resourcesStudents learn, play, program independentlyHelp each other

http://www.gamemakeracademy.org/

Thank You!!

Maggie HommelPark Ridge Public Librarymhommel@prpl.org http://www.slideshare.net/magpie984