beyond gaming

Discover how to make gaming Discover how to make gaming a daily teen source.a daily teen source.

“One of the best things about being

teen librarians is that we’ve always been

good at staying young and keeping up

with what’s new.”- Paula Brehm-Heeger, Teen Services

Coordinator,Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamiton County Ohio

Moredun Library in Edinburgh, Scotlandbegan weekly Playstation 2 tournaments between

teens and local police officers in Jan. 2006.

Since the competitions began, the local policeyouth action line has received a 50% reduction in the numberof calls reporting unruly youth.

"It gives the kids something to do,

relieves boredom,

reassures the staff and

creates a better relationship

between everyone.“- Insp Stephen Paul,Library staff member

The kids reportedly

trash the bobbiesat Gran Turismo

3, Tiger Woods Golf,

and Pro Evolution

Soccer.

“The easy part for most librarians is saying “Yes” to serving teens. The hard part is getting it right. To help, here’s a

list of things you should never do when working with teens:

• Denounce Technology – it’s here to stay.• Belittle teens’ use of technology.

- Michele Gorman, Teen Services Manager of ImaginOn, Charlotte N.C.

Factoids ◘ The first video games were marketed

over 30 years ago.◘ 2003 Gallup Poll reported 69% of teens play video games every week.◘ 67% of teens play games online. (Online isn’t just computers anymore. It includes

Playstation, X-Box, and Nintendo consoles, cell phones, PDAs, and more!)

Original Atari, circa 1972

According to the Entertainment Software Association's 2005 Essential Facts About the Computer and Gaming Industry:

◘ 35% of all gamers are under 18 years old.◘ Boys and men compromise 55% of gamers,

while girls and women make up 43%.◘ Fifty-three percent of the video games sold in

2004 were rated E for Everyone; 30% were rated T for Teen; and only 16% were rated M for Mature.

◘ Action video games were by far the best selling genre in 2004 at 30% of sales.

“Game Cultures promote various types of information literacy,

develop information seeking habits and production practices (like

writing), and require good, old-fashioned research skills, albeit

using a wide spectrum of content. In short, librarians can’t afford to

ignore gamers.” ►Library Journal April 15, 2005.

Gamers: ◙ See themselves as a hero on a quest.◙ Are willing to experiment and persevere.◙ Are willing to seek expertise and ask for help. ◙ Are willing to share expertise and help “noobs.” ◙ Are team players and desire to collaborate with others.◙ Learn from mistakes and adapt quickly.◙ Thrive on fast decision making and are good at prioritizing.

Cont.◙ Are willing to take risks.◙ Are good at multi-tasking.◙ Have strong organizational skills.◙ Are constantly seeking to be challenged.◙ Are proactive rather than reactive.◙ Want to do their own research and figure things out for themselves.◙ Are used to creating content.◙ Expect interaction, rewards, customization, and multiple paths.

“In 2004, we started a new service at Ann Arbor District Library in Michigan: video gaming tournament

events.” Video Games as a Service

►Erin V. Itelmrich & Eli Neiburge Voya Vol. 30 – No. 2, June 07

That was 4 years ago.

Now gaming should be a daily service.

Worried that kids spend too much

time playing video games?

In his study “The Impact of Video Games on Training Surgeons in the 21st Century,”

Dr. James C. Rosser Jr. of Beth Israel Medical Center, New York reports that:

● Doctors who played video games at least three hours a week sometime in their past worked 27% faster and made 37% fewer errors (compared to those who had never

picked up a controller).

Cont. ● Surgeons with the highest scores

on “Super Monkey Ball 2”, “Star Wars Racer Revenge” and “Silent Scope” performed best on tests of suturing and laparoscopic surgery.

►Surgery Vol. 142, No. 2 February 2007

Nurse, the

controller,please.

Contrary to the popular stereotype of pasty-faced

couch potatoes, • 79% of gamers say they exercise or play a sport an average of 20 hours a month.• 45% volunteer an average of 5.4 hours a month. • 93% read books or daily newspapers

regularly • 62% consistently attend cultural

events such as concerts, the theater, or visit museums.

On average, gamers

spend 6.8 hours a week playing video

games,

and 23.4 hours per week exercising

or playing sports, volunteering or

engaging in religious activities, creative pursuits, cultural

activities, or reading. Couch potatoes

they ain’t.►Entertainment Software Association’s

2005 Essential Facts About the Computer

And Video Game Industry

Search Institute 40 Developmental Assets for

Adolescents These are personal qualities and

experiences that young people need to grow up to be:Healthy

CaringResponsible

Gaming services

meet several of the

40 Assets.

Inviting and relaxed atmosphere fulfills "Caring

neighborhood” (#4)

WhitmanCounty Libraryteen area

Colfax,Washington

Asking teens for game

recommendations& programming

ideas meets “Community values

youth” (#7)and

“Youth as resources” (#8)

Game area organization & rules meet “Adult role

models” (#14)

“Positive peer

influence” (#15)“High

expectations” (#16) and

“Responsibility”(#30)

Gaming gets teens in

the library. . .

And then they see and experience other things.

“Reading for pleasure” (#25)

Find a place to play

video games.

Join in Dance Dance Revolution

Or . . .

Remember: Gaming is more than

just goofing off- it can help teens

develop their reading,

technology, and social skills.

Your Public Library

Are you game?

Resources for the Gaming Library

Playstation 2 Playstation 3

Price: $129Games: Dance Dance Revolutuion Guitar Hero 3 God of War 2

Price: $400Games: Motor Storm Madden NFL 2008

Xbox 360

Price: $200Games: Halo 3 Call of Duty 4 Rock Band - Xbox

Nintendo Game Cube

Price: $100Games: Super Smash Brothers Mario Kart Double Dash

Nintendo WiiPrice: $250Games: Wii Sports Mario Party 8

On the internet

Runescape screenshotwww.runescape.com

World of Warcraft screenshotwww.worldofwarcraft.com

It’s free!

Best Selling Games of 2007

1. Halo 3 – X-Box 360

2. Wii Play w/remoteNintendo Wii

3. Call of Duty 4X-Box 360

4. Guitar Hero 3Play Station 2

5. Super Mario GalaxyNintendo Wii

Credits

Shari HaskinsTeen Department Manager

ResearchPowerPoint Presenter

Sara DavisRiverton Branch Library Tech Services

Photos of Riverton Branch Library Teen SceneResearch

Holly HendrixTeen Services Librarian

ResearchPowerPoint Presentation