My explorations with communities

1. Breaking Boundaries
through Games
A Case of Scholarship in Action
Scott Nicholson
Associate Professor
@snicholson

4. 2006 Survey
 400 public libraries (96% response rate)
 75% used games in some way
 40% ran gaming programs

5. Library Gaming Census
 Goal: gain more understanding of library gaming
 Goals for gaming programs
 To attract an underserved group of users to the
library
 To increase the library's role as a community hub
 To provide an additional service for a group of active
library users

6. Goals of Library Gaming
Programs
• To attract an underserved group of users to the
library (35%)
• To increase the library's role as a community hub
(19%)
• To provide an additional service for a group of
active library users (17%)
• To provide a source of entertainment for
members of the community (10%)

7. Outcomes of Library Gaming
Program
The reputation of the library improved with participants. (78%)
Users attended the gaming program and returned to the library
another time for non-gaming services. (76%)
Users attended the event with friends and improved their social
connections with those friends. (73%)
Users attended the gaming program and also used other library
services while there. (68%)
Users improved their social connections with other
previously unknown members of the community.
(66%)

8. Building Community
http://www.tampabay.com/news/aging/
seniors-join-teens-in-enthusiasm-for-wii-virtual-gaming/1011031

9. Building Community
http://www.tampabay.com/news/aging/
seniors-join-teens-in-enthusiasm-for-wii-virtual-gaming/1011031

10. Gaming in Libraries
YouTube Class
 MOOC before MOOCs (2009)
 Truly Open (and still available)

11. Outcome from Course
 One-third said that
 “I am not at a library, but I am
going to contact one and
volunteer my time.”

14. http://becauseplaymatters.com

15. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Corridor

16. Creating transformative games and play
for informal learning environments

17. Creating transformative games and play
for informal learning environments

18. GDG Basics
 Community group that happens to
have students
 Friday night monthly meet (parking!)
 Game demonstration
 Formal program – bring in outside
organization
 Group brainstorm
 Informal game testing and play

19. What we don’t do

20. Fort Stanwix
“Help people understand what went on here.”

21. Stories from Stanwix

22. Stories from Stanwix

23. Community College Library
“We want some kind of an orientation activity.”

24. Ghost Hunters

25. Ghost Hunters

26. MOST Science Museum
“How can we be more relevant to teens?”

27. MOST Science Museum

28. MOST Science Museum

29. Dinosaurs at the Liverpool
Public Library
“We want to make Candy Land.”

30. Dinosaurs at the Liverpool
Public Library

31. Dinosaurs at the Liverpool
Public Library

32. Dinosaurs at the Liverpool
Public Library

33. Dinosaurs at the Liverpool
Public Library
“We want to make Candy Land.”

34. Everson Museum of Art

35. Everson Museum of Art

36. Beyond Monopoly

37. Family Game Jam

38. Family Game Jam

39. Everson Game Jam

40. Empowering your
Community
What is something you
do inside your school
walls that could be done
by community
members?

41. To learn more…
Because Play Matters game lab:
http://becauseplaymatters.com
Games in Libraries course:
http://gamesinlibraries.org
scott@scottnicholson.com