Gaming in Libraries

Professor Scott Nicholson (a fellow Okie!) led the discussion for our IST 511 class this week and talked about the importance of games and gaming in a library setting. Personally, I had never really given much thought to gaming in the library. I knew that gaming in libraries existed, and I’ve heard a lot about National Gaming Day @ Your Library (an annual event each November originated by Dr. Nicholson), but I always thought of gaming in libraries as a sort of ‘extra’ thing that libraries could provide to the public. Professor Nicholson’s discussion made me realize that gaming is in fact a very relevant library service.

Cartoon by Jonny Hawkins.

At my hometown’s public library, I know that gaming nights have become popular over the past few years. When the Wii was first introduced, the library started having weekly Wii game nights for teens where they could take turns playing games for a designated period of time each week. I always thought it was strange that they targeted teens specifically—other age groups like playing with Wiis, too! However, Professor Nicholson brought up the fact that teens are an underrepresented group in public libraries. While there are plenty of activities for young children and even babies (cuddle hours, anyone?) to keep the little ones active at the library, kids tend to lose interest in libraries as they grow into teenagers. This is particularly true for teenage boys, who don’t necessarily think hanging out at the local library is a cool thing to do. Wii game nights, and other gaming events, are a great way for libraries to draw in teenage boys and other underrepresented groups.

There are many other benefits to libraries that provide gaming services and events to their patrons. Based on his own studies, Professor Nicholson discovered that libraries involved in gaming often find an increase in the library’s reputation and that of the library staff. The studies also found that people who attend library gaming events tend to return to the library for other services. Gaming events would also appear to create a more fun and inviting atmosphere at libraries. As Dr. Nicholson said, in times of economic hardship it is important to evoke the idea of the library as a positive, fun, and inviting space.  Gaming can certainly help make libraries reflect this positive atmosphere.

I particularly liked Dr. Nicholson’s ideas about connecting different generations and cultures through gaming. Gaming clubs at the library can be multi-generational and can create relationships among people who would not otherwise meet or associate with one another. Gaming has also become quite popular in senior centers and nursing homes, and many libraries have been taking advantage of this and bring the library, librarians, and games to the seniors. There are so many ways to utilize games at libraries, for fun and for learning, and it all seems to lead back to that wonderful library-as-community-space idea we’ve been talking about all semester.