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May 19, 2005
Gaming, consoles, and the library
Aaron is all fired up about the new XBOX. I'm a PC gamer myself, but I understand his enthusiasm.
He's also recommending that more public libraries circulate video games, which I agree is a great idea to help make us more relevant to teens and tweens (and those of us adults who still play games like crazy). I feel like the argument against circulating video games is like the argument against circulating entertainment videos & DVDs--dated and unsupportable. But, that's just my opinion. If anyone knows of a good reason not to circulate video games, please do let me know. I'd be curious to hear it.
Aaron also tells us that he and Jenny are writing a grant for the Metropolitan Library System to be able to offer "Gaming at your Library" kits (consoles, LCDs, projectors, etc.). Wow! What a great idea!
May 19, 2005 | Permalink
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Comments
The big argument I've heard against console games is that they tend to get stolen at an obscene rate. When your expensive games are getting stolen at a rate surpassing the Wicca books, there's no way a library can keep re-ordering them while staying within a budget, so they don't even try.
Posted by: Meg'n | May20, 2005
But we all still carry DVDs, and there are some sweet DVD/CD cleaners/repair machines. I don't think that patrons (teen or otherwise) would treat video games with any more physical respect than folks treat DVDs, unfortunately. If people perceive something as free, then they tend to treat it with a lot less respect. Huh, that applies to reference librarians' services too, doesn't it?
Posted by: Sarah Houghton (Librarian in Black) | May19, 2005
My only reservation on loaning out video games is the scratched disc issue. The reason continues to baffle me, but a small minority of patrons simply doesn't take common sense care of DVDs. At the library I used to work at, they came back scratched and unplayable after just a few circulations very frequently.
And that should be somewhat expected, books have come back torn since libraries began. But at least a DVD is perhaps a $20 replacement fee. A high demand, new video game could easily run in the $50-$60 range.
On the other hand, perhaps teens are more likely to take better care of games, having more experience with the format?
It could go either way I suppose. So I just managed to talk myself out of my comment. Oh well, I'll hit post anyway :)
Posted by: Chad | May19, 2005
