Comments on: Getting Them Through the Doors

By: AngelaB

AngelaB — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:54:29 +0000

Teens come to libraries to use computers, volunteer, study with friends, or check out books. Teens generally are not interested in library programs, unless maybe Stephanie Meyer was coming for a presentation. I think libaries are trying to jam a square peg into a round hole by going to crazy extremes just to attract teens to programs. Waste of time.

By: ohLibrarian

ohLibrarian — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:52:28 +0000

“Roman baths and weight rooms don’t reinforce problem-solving skills, allow for one to exercise leadership skills, encourage creative thinking, act as a sandbox environment in which to study economics and diplomacy, or serve as a springboard for narrative.”

Of course they do! Do you need to be sitting in front of a screen for any important, humane stuff to take place? Is the presence of actual humans in actual bodies having actual conversations such an impediment?

Sheesh, gamers.

By: bisslibrary

bisslibrary — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:34:18 +0000

This argument is crazy. Who are we serving? I think at the end of the day we want to offer quality service but we want to be seen as relevant. Librarians seem to have their image all torn up. They want to be cool and hip and then again they want to be smart and useful. The fact is we will never agree what we should do because we are serving different people. Plus, we all have our own agendas and preferences. Offer games but don’t do it at the expense of staffing. If people are walking away with things restrict usage to the library(colleges do this all the time).Have a public debate but for goodness sakes stop being snarly to each other.

By: r7nfh

r7nfh — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:10:32 +0000

Gaming is obviously invaluable. Why, without gaming, I would never have learned just when to eat that giant mushroom or which brick to hit with my fist in order that the dragon falls into the lake of lava so that I may save the princess. You never really know how many times you’re going to use that skill in a day.

By: Post Postmodern Librarian

Post Postmodern Librarian — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:46:45 +0000

Two things I worry about when it comes to gaming. First, are libraries really doing it for the kids/patrons or is it for ourselves. The more I read post from people like Annoyed gaminglibrarian the more I feel its for ourselves. This would violate a major golden rule of libraries dont buy something to please yourself. oh and before you get your gaming thumb all out of joint I been gaming for nearly 30 years and have written many articles for gamers. I know the good the bad and the ugly of games. The second thing I worry about is all this research into gaming. Is this not self fulfilling prophecy. Most of the people hawking gaming are gamers. I know because of my own background. This takes me back to the issue of the cutting edge. Just because research says it helps doesnt mean we need to use it. Ask the FDA about all the good drugs that recalled or law suits appear.

By: E6P7D

E6P7D — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:29:57 +0000

My library started its gaming program because we had plenty of kids coming in every day, but they were bored and caused trouble. So we put some video games into a meeting room and drew them away from the main action in the library.

I’m not sure that video games are right for every library, but here they improve the experience of everyone *else* who comes in after school, given that there are fewer fights and more free computers and armchairs.

By: level250geek

level250geek — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:35:47 +0000

Re: Ack Ack

Roman baths and weight rooms don’t reinforce problem-solving skills, allow for one to exercise leadership skills, encourage creative thinking, act as a sandbox environment in which to study economics and diplomacy, or serve as a springboard for narrative. Video games do all of these things, plus serve as a social activity.

It’s not just about getting people together. If that were the case, we would just have a big cook-out every Sunday afternoon, with sprinklers and a water balloon fight. As somebody who has been planning and executing gaming programs since before they were cool, I can say that such an event would be much less stressful and much more relaxed than any gaming program; except that nothing would be accomplished than giving out free food.

By: annoyed_gamebrarian

annoyed_gamebrarian — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:06:38 +0000

Bad grammar and writing. Straw man arguments and pedantry. Failure of imagination and knowledge. AL, you have them all.

Go read Liz Danforth’s LJ blog on gaming, people, because she cites research, references, and data instead of just ranting on the street corner. Besides, she’s funny.

By: NotMarianTheLibrarian

NotMarianTheLibrarian — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:20:52 +0000

cataloger_nerd – have you read any applications, vitae, cover letters lately? I am avoiding hiring committee duties these days – we have lots of nincompoops, idiots, and poorly educated folks applying for librarian positions these days. Errors in this format don’t bother me but do they ever when we’re hiring!!

But it is a widespread problem. One of our English faculty cannot use I and me correctly. She is a relatively new hire and when I hear something along the lines of “The faculty meeting bored Dr. X and I to tears.” Well … what’s a body to do?

I vote for bars in PLs, BTW.

By: I Like Books

I Like Books — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:24:14 +0000

How are video games consistent with a library’s mission in a way that Happy Hour isn’t? Should libraries also bring in billiard tables, dart boards, and pinball machines to introduce the kids to older gaming technologies?