“PLAY GAMES YOURSELF, FOR FUN.  THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THIS; GAMING IS EXPERIENTIAL.”

TIPS FROM THE EXPERT PANEL:

Gaming Readiness, Implementation and Evaluation

KNOW YOUR LIBRARY

Identify current library users.

Identify non-users.Survey library users to

determine their gaming preferences and their wish list of services.

Match patron requests and community demographics to library collections.

TALK WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES

Identify frequently asked questions.

Discuss challenges and barriers to delivering gaming services.

Brainstorm solutions and changes.

Promote collaboration and creativity.

Share success stories.

REACH OUT TO YOUR COMMUNITY

Connect with community-based gaming programs, partnerships, and organizations.

Introduce the library to businesses, faith-based organizations, community centers, social service agencies, the media, and your city government.

Invite community members to your library for gaming and conversation.

ADVOCACY

Understand the link between gaming and literacy.

Be prepared to answer hard questions.

Staff learning is required to participate.

Stay alert to adults sticking their nose in to see what’s happening, and be prepared to talk, talk, talk.

Never give up.Be positive, always.

PLAN FOR SUCCESS

Develop a game plan for adding and expanding new gaming services.

Create a timeline.Review your

resources-- human, fiscal, and in-kind.

Recruit strong alliesTake action!

PLANNING

Plan early.Communicate regularly

and clearly. Collaborate!Be flexible.Ask the community

what they want and be ready to respond.

Set limits and provide structure, but keep rules to a minimum.

GET ORGANIZED

Organize shared equipment in a plastic tub and include a check-off list.

Keep records! A wiki is great for the rules of the game, timeline, and PR materials.

MARKETING

Be visible from passers-by.

Turn the music up to attract attention.

Put up a whiteboard sign in the lobby.

Hang posters where the gamers are.

Be creative with marketing.

IMPLEMENTING

Start small. Pilots. Pilots. Pilots! Do not be afraid of

initial failure.Even if you stink, they

appreciate you for being “game” – and they can take delight in “pwning” you or helping you learn to get better.

IMPLEMENTING

Offer variety – board, card, electronic, online…

Complexity results in higher appeal--and value--to an established audience.

IMPLEMENTING

Feed them and they will come. Don’t stint and risk running out, especially of liquids.

Tournaments always draw a bigger crowd than open play events.

Intergenerational programming can be a great opportunity for fostering relationships.

TABLETOP GAME SPECIFICS

Start with modern board games in school settings.

Purchase multiple copies of board copies for instruction and tournaments.

Set up board games on tables--don’t leave them in boxes.

Assign someone to act as a game maitre’d to provide gaming advisory and direct participants to ideal game experiences.

VIDEOGAME SPECIFICS

Find a knowledgeable kid in the audience. 

Watch cartoons or other related media for gaming program ideas.

Always let players choose their difficulty.  They’d rather not win than suck.

Don’t let the hardcore players talk you out of items or other random elements-- randomness gives less skilled players hope. Libraries should give people hope.

Offer socks (for DDR).

STAFFING

Have at least two staff available, but be flexible--use volunteers

Perhaps the Game Club can host!

Let the players get involved with production, especially as commentators.

MONEY

Start with free.Don’t be discouraged

by governmental purchasing processes.

TURN IT UP!

Make sure noise level is on the loud side.

Presentation matters.  Have a good sound system and let it be loud.

Consider offering headphones or earbuds for computers in some gaming experiences.

EVALUATING

Start with a specific goal in mind.

Include traditional outcomes.

Remember to evaluate the whole experience.

Build momentum to negotiate for other teen programs in the wake of gaming success.