Gaming in libraries
October 29, 2007The LIS 768 gaming night was most enjoyable. I observed Brainage, Tetris (is this the greatest video game ever, it has lasted a long time relatively unchanged), Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution, and other games. I played Rune Scape and Second Life. I wish I had thought to bring board games or some cards, shouldn’t they be included in game nights?
My avatar in Second Life.
Board and card games are common to all generations (I wonder if the popularity of board and card games has decreased since the advent of screen games). I have started a chess club at my public library gig, while not widely popular it does have an OK turnout.
I am wondering if we could harness the popularity of video games to increase the turnout out at the chess club and vice versa. Somebody in class (sorry can’t remember who, let me know and I will happily credit you with the idea) said that gamers are gamers no matter the format. My personal experience as a former tournament chess player and all around gamer coincides with this thought. People who enjoy chess may very well enjoy games such as Civilization and so on.
If a gamer is a gamer is a gamer couldn’t this be used to convince library administrators fearful of video games but happy to host chess clubs that they are already having gaming nights. Perhaps we should slowly expand existing game nights such as chess to include other games (I think this may better apply to the younger crowd, adults prefer quiet chess). If you are having a guitar hero/DDR night would it not also be beneficial to have a few chess boards around and perhaps hook a few people on chess? Be subversive even, bring in a DS without asking for permission and simply have it available for chess players not in a game.
Would older library patrons be interested in trying Tetris or Wii bowling while waiting for a game of chess?
I don’t know but it would be interesting to find out.
If you are having a guitar hero/DDR night would it not also be beneficial to have a few chess boards around and perhaps hook a few people on chess? Be subversive even, bring in a DS without asking for permission and simply have it available for chess players not in a game.
I am shocked, shocked I tell you to hear someone advocating subversiveness and possible rebellion in the library.
Gamers are, indeed, gamers…chess, cards, board games are all as appropriate as DDR. Go for it!
When I was a kid, I remember one of my history teachers allowed us to play a civ-type board game for a couple of days in class. I don’t remember the title, but maybe it was something along the lines of The Settlers of Catan. It was one of the most engaging classroom experiences I had ever had to that point and I think it had real educational value. I think a game like that could still appeal to kids, but it would have to be introduced in the right context. It’s hard to compete head-to-head with guitar hero… Maybe an after school program could be built around a variety of gaming experiences. Whatever happened to good old stand-bys like Risk and Stratego?
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