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The trials and tribulations of Library School for a Archivist to be.

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Gaming in Libraries?

I recently came across the PLA blog and was really blown away about a presentation that was talked about there by John Beck about games and libraries. Some of the things that really got me going was the statistics that he quoted...It was really presented as a great way for librarians, who are more and more looked at as teachers of some sort, to figure out a new way to help people learn. One of the most amazing things was when Migell Acosta presented his LAN Party success story from the Santa Monica Public Library. They had an interactive gaming day, and kids lined up for over an hour to wait to use the computers. Could you imagine the circulation stats that day? Im thinking, give the kids what they want...John Beck talked about the fact that gamers have certain distinct personality facets such as a disrespect for authority, a need of society, are risk takers, are "selfish", multi-task and learn in an entirely different way. I should think it is more of a doer type of learning profile than watching. I was really taken by the whole thing, about how we can integrate this technology and use it to make libraries a more pleasurable and dynamic place to be. He talks about some of the things libraries can create the space that would attract this huge populace. Some of them include looking past the superficial parts of gaming and realise the superfantastic things that games can do for youngsters and in turn, for us as librarians. These games can map out a plan that we have to create interest in libraries and then a tangible strategy to teach them/lead them to the information that they mkight want or need. I just hope the IRS doesnt really get a laugh when I deduct a PSP unit for my library's "research". Here is a great blog about gaming in libraries and also has a pretty informative piece about the process of "convincing" a library to carry games.

2 Comments:

At 2:58 PM, Blogger Gwyneth said...

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At 12:00 AM, Blogger Gwyneth said...

Gaming is a GREAT way to get people involved in your library, and there are many educational games floating around. Have you ever seen Trainz? In this program, you can build your own railroad layout design, and understand how to build a transportation infrastructure: Trainz. I've also heard there is a Titanic program in which you can walk inside the Titanic and learn through written text about the history, both sociological and technical!! GREAT RESOURCES and INTERACTIVE!!

 

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