This document discusses how libraries can harness gaming to benefit patrons. It describes how gaming has been popular for over 30 years and can increase socialization and literacy while helping develop skills. Libraries are increasingly offering gaming options like Wii, board games, and video games to meet patron interests and develop skills like strategy, problem-solving, and reading maps and instructions. The document also outlines specific gaming programs libraries have implemented, like tournaments, family gaming nights, and using games for summer reading. It provides examples of best practices from libraries with large gaming collections and concludes with resources for further reading on gaming in libraries.

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Gaming: Harnessing
the Power
of the Wii
Kelly Czarnecki, Librarian
Charlotte, North Carolina
Contact: kellyczarnecki1@gmail.com

2. +
My background

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Gaming and Libraries:
The Literacy and Asset Building Connection

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Why Gaming and Libraries?
 Popular for more than 30
years
 Increases socialization
 Implements literacy
 Helps build developmental
assets

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Video Games + Media Literacies
 constantly developing new strategies
 predicting possible outcomes
 managing multiple resources
 reading and deciphering maps
 tracking complex statistics
 adapting to increasingly difficult levels within the game
-American Library Association

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Written Word Literacy examples
 Instructions/walkthroughs/guides:
LEGO® Star Wars LEGO® Harry Potter

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Written Word Literacy examples
 Forums and web sites
Mario Kart Forums Boards Pikmin 2

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Written Word Literacy examples
 Maps and signs
Zelda Monster Hunter Tri

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Board Games and AASL Standards
for the 21st Century Learner
AASL = American Association of School Librarians
 Standard 1: Inquire, think critically and gain knowledge
 Standard 2: Draw conclusions, make informed
decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create
new knowledge
 Standard 3: Share knowledge and participate ethically and
productively as members of our democratic society
 Standard 4: Pursue personal and aesthetic growth

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Games Meet Developmental Needs
 Developmental needs are assets
that help young people become
positive caring adults:
 Other adult relationships
 Community values youth
 Positive peer influence
 Youth programs
 Reading for pleasure
 Interpersonal competence
 Cultural competence
 Peaceful conflict resolution
 Self-esteem
Search Institute: www.search-institute.org

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Landscape of Gaming:
in United States Libraries

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Library Gaming Census Report
www.gamesinlibraries.org
 40% circulate games
 56, 767 users participated in
programs
average attendance-30 people
(55 in academic libraries)
 board/card games-35%
console gaming-64%
Gaming Programs:
popular Wii titles: Wii
educational in nature-8%
Sports, Mario Kart series, and
 tournaments-35%
Super Smash Brothers Brawl
 tied into summer reading-30%
(SSBB)
 49% recreational open-play

13. + Library Gaming Census Report cont’d:
Common Outcomes
 Improved reputation of the library
 Returned to the library at another time for non-gaming
services
 Attended gaming program and used other services while
there
 Improved social connections w/friends
 Improved social connections w/ those previously unknown
 Additional publicity

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Future and Current Status of
Gaming
 Gamification, Pew Internet
and American Life, 2012
 Game-Based
Learning, Horizon Report, 2012
 Video Game Courses
and Degree
Programs, Entertainment
Sofware Association, ESA, 2012

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You’ve got board games and
a Wii, now what?
Programming!

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Creating a Gaming Experience
 Presentation
 Facilitation
 Interaction
Nicholson, S. (2009). Creating a Gaming
experience in Libraries. DigitaleBibliotheek
1(5), 11.

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International Games Day
 One day event to reconnect
communities through their
libraries
 Modern board games
 Video games
 Card games
 Role playing games
 Video game tournaments-
Super Smash Brothers Brawl
www.ilovelibraries.org/gaming and Mario Kart

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Competitions and Tournaments
 Qualifying Rounds
 registration/signup
 Test everything!
 have charged batteries available
 prepare for higher noise level
 GT System wiki
 http://wiki.gtsystem.org/
 Wall of champion winner(s)
 Prizes and snacks

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Family Gaming Nights
 Variety of games
 format (movement, trivia,
word, etc.)
 span range of ages
 Wii Sports
 Scrabble Crossword
 Trivial Pursuit
 Blurt!
 Pictureka!
 Staff/Volunteers available
 Variety of activities

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Seniors/Outreach
 Daycare Centers
 Senior Centers
 Hospitals
 Jails/Dentention Centers
 After School Orgs
 Schools

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Game Play Online
 Play other libraries simultaneously
 Stream game play/chat
 Additional equipment needed:
 Internet connection
(wired or wireless)
 If wired: USB LAN Adapter

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Gaming and Summer Reading
 As a program related to theme
 Gaming elements as part of
summer reading
 Game related prizes
 Keep books by gaming area
 Booktalk game related titles

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After School Club
 Based around one
game or various
 Could be a reward
for good grades
 Get input from
participants
 Can your library
space accommodate
regular gaming
 Determine type of
experience
 Other activities?

24. +
Design a Mii
 Famous person
author, actor, singer, etc.
 Book/movie character
 Give out prizes to
winner with closest
likeness
 Share creations on
library web site or
other social networking
sites
 Great for older teens/tweens w/younger kids

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Best Practices
Examples of Libraries and Gaming Programs

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Game Library: Genesee Valley in
New York

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YOUmedia
 Chicago Public Library
 Hanging Out, Messing
Around, and Geeking
Out

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Ann Arbor District Library

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New York Public Library

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Trace Effects
Learning English through
Gaming

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Trace Effects
traceeffects.state.gov

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Trace Effects: Stats

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Trace Effects: Inventory

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Trace Effects: Dialogue History

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Trace Effects: Notes

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Trace Effects: Help

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Trace Effects: Language Practice

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Trace Effects: Comics

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Trace Effects: Helpful Links

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Gaming Resources for Further
Reading
 Game On! Gaming at the Library (Neal-Schuman Publishers)
by Beth Gallaway, 2009
 Everyone Plays at the Library: Creating Great Gaming
Experiences for All Ages (Information Today) by Scott
Nicholson, 2010
 Libraries Got Game: Aligned Learning Through Modern Board
Games (American Library Association) by Brian Mayer and
Christopher Harris, 2009
 A Board Game Education (R&L Education) by Jeffrey P.
Hinebaugh, 2009

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Questions?
Contact: Kelly Czarnecki
kellyczarnecki1@gmail.com