Gaming in the Public Library Kathryn Kelley 9410 Developing and Organizing Media Collections Assignment 1 September 16, 2008

Why Gaming? Benefits to Public Library: Provides relevant programming & outreach for teens Enhances positive relationships between teen patrons and library staff Increases public library usage statistics by teens Patron interest in gaming can lead to increased use of other library services and materials Positions public libraries as community centers and at the forefront of technology

Provides relevant programming & outreach for teens

Enhances positive relationships between teen patrons and library staff

Increases public library usage statistics by teens

Patron interest in gaming can lead to increased use of other library services and materials

Positions public libraries as community centers and at the forefront of technology

Why Gaming? Benefits to Patrons: Gaming appeals to teen boys, an underserved segment of the public library, but is also appropriate for a range of ages Gaming in the library provides opportunities for patrons who don’t own gaming equipment Gaming develops cognitive skills, critical thinking, social interaction Gaming programs in the library fulfills parents’ need for safe, supervised, productive activities for their children

Gaming appeals to teen boys, an underserved segment of the public library, but is also appropriate for a range of ages

Gaming in the library provides opportunities for patrons who don’t own gaming equipment

Gaming develops cognitive skills, critical thinking, social interaction

Gaming programs in the library fulfills parents’ need for safe, supervised, productive activities for their children

Who are the Gamers? 28.2% under 18 years 47.6% 18 - 49 years 24.2% 50 + years (Entertainment Software Association, 2007, p.3) By Age (2007)

28.2% under 18 years

47.6% 18 - 49 years

24.2% 50 + years

Who are the Gamers? By Gender (2007) 62% Male 32% Female* *Women aged 18 years or older comprise a larger portion (31%) of the game-playing population than boys aged 17 or younger (20%). (Entertainment Software Association, 2007, p. 3).

By Gender (2007)

62% Male

32% Female*

*Women aged 18 years or older comprise a larger portion (31%) of the game-playing population than boys aged 17 or younger (20%). (Entertainment Software Association, 2007, p. 3).

What are the Most Popular Games? (Entertainment Software Association, 2007, p. 5).

What’s Next? Form task group of YA librarians & library staff, teen advisory board, parents, and library board members to discuss needs/concerns Survey other library gaming programs Attend gaming workshops and sessions Identify and price popular game systems and software Budget for establishment of gaming program and materials, promotion & advertising, future collection expenses Design gaming programming Train library staff Catalog materials

Form task group of YA librarians & library staff, teen advisory board, parents, and library board members to discuss needs/concerns

Survey other library gaming programs

Attend gaming workshops and sessions

Identify and price popular game systems and software

Budget for establishment of gaming program and materials, promotion & advertising, future collection expenses

Design gaming programming

Train library staff

Catalog materials

References Entertainment Software Association. (2007). 2007 sales, demographic and usage data: essential facts about the computer and video game industry. Retrieved September 12, 2008 from http://www.theesa.com/facts/pdfs/ESA_EF_2007.pdf

Entertainment Software Association. (2007). 2007 sales, demographic and usage data: essential facts about the computer and video game industry. Retrieved September 12, 2008 from http://www.theesa.com/facts/pdfs/ESA_EF_2007.pdf