Would you go to the Library more if they had Video Games?

[SnackDaddy]

Many Libraries, in an attempt to attract the attention of younger patrons, are currently developing or planning to develop Gaming services. Would you go to the library to play your favorite games? Would you attend LAN's sponsored by the library if game related prizes were donated by local businesses? Would you check out games or strategy guides from the library? Would gaming at the library encourage you to check out books fiction or non-fiction with game related themes? Tom Clancy books for instance, or game programming books.

Please post your thoughts here.

TIA

[Tiny]

No.

I only go to the Library when I absolutly have to. Which is rare. To many perverts at the library these days.

They have to do this because they have driven everyone off because of their lax porn rules....meaning they don't have any. My local library has the computer screens facing the children's area and scum is always there surfing porn.

And they have to do this because, like newspapers, they are slowly finding themselves useless.

[The Other]

No..

does anybody even uses libraries anymore?

[theNoid]

Nope, havn't been to the library in years ... and I have all the gaming equipment I need at home.

Perhaps this is being done in low income areas ?

[Carbon_Le]

No. Unless i can check out video games for free with a library card.... :rolleyes:

[SnackDaddy]

No.

I only go to the Library when I absolutly have to. Which is rare. To many perverts at the library these days.

They have to do this because they have driven everyone off because of their lax porn rules....meaning they don't have any. My local library has the computer screens facing the children's area and scum is always there surfing porn.

And they have to do this because, like newspapers, they are slowly finding themselves useless.
I agree that is a big problem in many libraries. If they were able to effectively combat this issue, would you reconsider?

[SnackDaddy]

No..

does anybody even uses libraries anymore?

Many people do use the library, but not nearly as many as they would like. Especially young men. That seems to be the reason they are looking to this as an option.

[SnackDaddy]

No. Unless i can check out video games for free with a library card.... :rolleyes:

I wouldn't count on free, but I would guess a minimal charge. My local library charges $1 / week for movies, compared to (how much is blockbuster now?) $5-6.
I would expect to see something similar for games.

[IceWind]

Why the fuck would I drive to the library to play games when I can stay home and save gas? If I need info, Google is my library.

[ThreeDee]

only time I go to the library is when the post office runs out of 1040ez or whatever tax forms

:)


http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/533.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&id=533&tm=33)

[paranoia4422]

no.....ever since the internet the library is for n00bs

[Moose777]

Don't you need to know how to read...books and stuff....? ;)

[Isaacav2]

With the Internet and people being lazy and all, I feel for the ole school Librarys. I need to read a book, haven't done that in a while.

[Tiny]

I agree that is a big problem in many libraries. If they were able to effectively combat this issue, would you reconsider?

Only if they strictly banned it.

[Dragonscript]

I agree with most people here, libraries could use a little better filtering on thier net connections.

First of all, my library in town already offers video games for check out, but they don't install them on the library machines though. I'm not really sure a library could survive as a LAN venue and that tax money could be better spent elsewhere in the library.

[peacetilence]

I voted yes but I haven't been to a library in over a decade and I doubt gaming would be much fun on an ancient library PC a bunch of dirty vagrants used before hand.

That said the county I moved to is meant to have the most libraries out of any in CA. Maybe I should check them out some time.

[compslckr]

no libraries are a complete waste of the town's funds. no one uses libraries and i see no reason for them to even exist. maybe on college campuses, but regular town libraries are totally pointless.

lets face it, if you can't afford to buy a $10 book to read for pleasure you probably can't read

[Charles]

I think the saddest part about these responses is that nobody has considered that it might be fun to meet other people *IRL* who play video games.

We'd all rather stay home... alone... and play with jobo39084 and l33th4x0r18938.

I suppose nobody here goes to clubs either... I mean after all, you have all your gaming equipment at home right? Save some gas:P

I for one totally would go. It's already fun to head down to EBGames (I live above it) and play smash bros with random people shouting obscenities in the background at who's getting owned.

[Tiny]

I think the saddest part about these responses is that nobody has considered that it might be fun to meet other people *IRL* who play video games.

We'd all rather stay home... alone... and play with jobo39084 and l33th4x0r18938.

I suppose nobody here goes to clubs either... I mean after all, you have all your gaming equipment at home right? Save some gas:P

I for one totally would go. It's already fun to head down to EBGames (I live above it) and play smash bros with random people shouting obscenities in the background at who's getting owned.


Yes, because having someone shout obscenities is what the library is all about. The LAN enviroment has a place, the library isn't it.

[Charles]

no libraries are a complete waste of the town's funds. no one uses libraries and i see no reason for them to even exist. maybe on college campuses, but regular town libraries are totally pointless.

lets face it, if you can't afford to buy a $10 book to read for pleasure you probably can't read

If somebody were to give me a $10 meal for free, would I shoot them down? No.

If somebody's going to give me a $10 book for free, I'd take it.

Plus there are many things in the library that you simply can't find online or buy. Old newspapers for one.

And if you tell me the newspaper archives are useless then... well... I'm not even going to bother trying to explain it to you:P

Additionally, one of the great resources of libraries are the librarians themselves. You could spend hours looking on google for information that a librarian would know off the top of his/her head.

I'm really surprised at how many people seem to not see the usefulness of libraries:P

[Charles]

Yes, because having someone shout obscenities is what the library is all about. The LAN enviroment has a place, the library isn't it.

Well, if the libraries add LAN gaming to a section of the library, then having someone shout obscenities WILL be what the library is all about.

This is about change, not your "old skool" ideas of what the library is.

My library has poetry slams, open mic nights, and karaoke.

You must have a crappy library.

[Tiny]

Well, if the libraries add LAN gaming to a section of the library, then having someone shout obscenities WILL be what the library is all about.
It is about forced change to hang on.

Nothing more. And no it wouldn't. As long as a single book remained in the library, it would "be what the library is all about". It would cease to be a library and become another LAN center.

If libraries want to adopt the environments of 'karaoke', 'poetry slams', 'open mic nights', 'LAN gaming', and such...then they do so at a very large risk to the remaining market that keeps them alive today.

Adding those things mentioned will only serve to bring libraries to extinction faster. This in all honesty is welcomed by me, since they are nothing more than a drain.

But if I were to hear someone shouting obscenities at a library or EB, I would ashamed of myself if I didn't put scum like that in its place.

[auxout]

My library has had videos free forever, they get new movies every week too. The library a county over has music cd's and used to have computer games, no joke. I would go to the library if there were LAN matches going on, easier to play with friends that maybe don't have a pc or have one that isn't great for gaming.

If libraries want to adopt the environments of 'karaoke', 'poetry slams', 'open mic nights', 'LAN gaming', and such...then they do so at a very large risk to the remaining market that keeps them alive today.

Huh? Market risk? Seeing as a lot of libraries also serve as community centers I don't see the large jump here. If people want to get some books for free for a while they are still going to go to the library regardless of whats going on there. It's not like they are going to start burning old books to make way for the karoke stage and lan setup.

[Firewall]

Libraries really allow you to look at prOn? I find this hard to believe. I dunno, maybe if it was a big enough lan I'd go and check it out but something about the type of people that go to libraries bothers me.

I have a friend that works ni a library and he tells me the people that go there are the cheapest people you could ever find.

One lady wanted a copy card because it would only cost her 7 cents a copy instead of 10 cents and she only wanted 30 copies. Thats 90 cents lady! Another lady bitched about the 1 dollar cost of the copy card.

Also, some of th community college students come in their looking for textbooks so they don't have to buy them. I can sort of see that, they are expensive. But these people try to lie and say the teachers said they'd be there.

I dunno, maybe Im a snob, but I don't want to be around people who can't afford 3 cents. Thats just me.../shrug

[Torgo]

I'm going to ask for a reference on this "many libraries are thinking of doing this" crap. I don't recall of ever hearing of a public library ever considering this. Seriously, please give me some examples of a library that has done this or is thinking of pulling this off. I haven't heard of a more absurd idea on this scale on some time.

What are they gaining from this? More people attending the library, but ignoring the books and just adding to the cost of the place? Seriously, in this day and age where communities are shutting down libraries, are they going to get the money to fund this scam? You have to pay for setting up a large lan that's available for gaming (and leave enough computers left over for pr0n... uh, er research for patrons) which is going to be fairly expensive gaming rigs, the salary of the guy to maintain this setup, the licensing costs for the games and the bandwidth.

So what you're suggesting is that libraries are really going to do is setup a city funded LAN gaming center that's going to unfairly compete with the for-profit center down the street that also offers snacks, pizza and drinks. And what if the library is the only show in town, what's to prevent a competitor coming in and stealing those kids? Where would you rather hang out? The gaming LAN at the library or the one down the street with techno music, black lights and stays open until 3am?

There's so many holes in this... I'd rant on, but I've got to leave to go home from work.

BTW, nothing personal SnackDaddy on your question. I'm only questioning the library that would waste money on this for so little return. Oh, and I'm jealous of your M3 adapter.

[SnackDaddy]

Torgo, here are a few quick links.

http://www.gaminginlibraries.org/
http://www.mls.lib.il.us/cats.cfm?catid=172
http://groups.google.com/group/LibGaming
http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2005/07/05/video_games_roundup.html
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA621772.html
http://uanews.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/UAMasterCalendar.woa/2/wa/viewDetails?EventID=16712
http://www.noblenet.org/beverly/teenlink/games.shtml
http://copiaguelibrary.org/whats_new/video_games.htm
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/40484
http://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=3982
http://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=4941

[Shakezilla]

I go to the Library to R-E-A-D books, I fear some of you may only have developed a reading level up to "Zelda you need to find the key in the Ice Tower"

[ScreamingBroccoli]

I go to the Library to R-E-A-D books, I fear some of you may only have developed a reading level up to "Zelda you need to find the key in the Ice Tower"

You mean "LINK, you need to find the key in the Ice Tower" :p

[Asian Dub Foundation]

what is this thing u call a "library" ?

[EgyptBoy20]

Hey, that wouldn't be half bad...it's like a huge LAN party...hehe, would be sweet if they had an allnighter with free BAWLS :cool:

[Nuzzles]

Eh, libraries are all well and good. Personally, I can't stand reading novels on a computer screen. Tutorials, articles, this forum even, are absolutely fine, but I just like reading books as books. -shrug-

[Spike23]

Man i never even go to the library to get books...
i just use the computers hahaha

[Shakezilla]

You mean "LINK, you need to find the key in the Ice Tower" :p

Dammit you caught me never played a Zelda game before! :p Does this mean I get kicked outa the games forum?

[InorganicMatter]

I wouldn't go to a book library for video games because of all the above mentioned items.

I would, however, go to a library that was dedicated to games, guides, technical stuff, etc. Maybe it would have concession stands, rooms to rent for LANs or free rooms for public LANs. Hey, this is a good idea!

[ScreamingBroccoli]

Dammit you caught me never played a Zelda game before! :p Does this mean I get kicked outa the games forum?

It's a common mistake, I guess we can let it slide once :p

[NulloModo]

Some of you sound like you have some pretty shady libraries... seriously, people looking at pr0n on library computers? The librarian at my local one would take out a shotgun if she saw that ;).

I dunno, if the library checked out games like books, CDs, and DVDs, it would be pretty cool. I use my local library to check out concert DVDs and CDs for my classes a lot. Plus, they had the Gérard Depardieu Count of Monte Cristo Miniseries, I would have never seen that and missed out on a lot if they didn't. Plus I might have never read Ender's Game or the David Sedaris books if I had to go to borders and buy them as opposed to checking them out free at the library.

The library rocks... I need to get around to paying my $30 in fines so I can check stuff out again...

[Tiny]

I wouldn't go to a book library for video games because of all the above mentioned items.

I would, however, go to a library that was dedicated to games, guides, technical stuff, etc. Maybe it would have concession stands, rooms to rent for LANs or free rooms for public LANs. Hey, this is a good idea!

So you would go to a 'library' for everything but books? Just go to a LAN center.

[NulloModo]

So you would go to a 'library' for everything but books? Just go to a LAN center.

Yeah, sounds like he wants a LAN/Gaming Cafe type place, but free? Heh, one of my good friends tried to run one of those for a while (well, not free, you payed by the hour) and while it was cool, it went under in a year, even in a college town where there was a good demographic for it.

Then again, he is a coke fiend, that might have had something to do with it.

[independantvariable]

At my local library you can rent PC games for a week. The person who must be incharge of selecting which games to purchase is not too bright, since they have games such as World of Warcraft and Star Wars Galaxies there. But also some decent games like Madden 2005, or C&C Gens, Rise of Nations ect. It is nice to check it out if am thinking of buying a PC game.

[fromage]

I think the saddest part about these responses is that nobody has considered that it might be fun to meet other people *IRL* who play video games.


There's lan centers which charge a few dollars an hour to play.

[Torgo]

Thanks for the links. I plan on really looking at them in detail. In the meantime, in the brief time that I looked at this initiative (the most important one gaminginlibraries.org is dead) is that it isn't just for video games, but is inclusive to board games, role-playing games and tabletop games.

This is a REAL important distinction. I can totally get behind gaming in libraries as long as it isn't LAN video gaming. These type of games are more derived from real life or history to which a library is more condusive for research or study. Want to play Settlers of Caanan? Heck, here's a few thick books on the subject. Anyway here's some quick hits on the links you gave....

Torgo, here are a few quick links.

http://www.gaminginlibraries.org/ Dead link. Dang it. I really wanted to read this one.
http://www.mls.lib.il.us/cats.cfm?catid=172 Link of the MLS back to gaminginlibraries.org. At least they're discussing the topic.
http://groups.google.com/group/LibGaming Small discussion group. Need to research all the comments. Emphasises gaming in all it's forms.
http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2005/07/05/video_games_roundup.html Circular link to video game librarian at GamingTarget.com. Not much here.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA621772.html Article on MLS gaming initiative. Mentions Ann Harbor as inspiration.
http://uanews.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/UAMasterCalendar.woa/2/wa/viewDetails?EventID=16712 Video game exhibit. Nothing to do with libraries and games. Bad link.
http://www.noblenet.org/beverly/teenlink/games.shtml Games available for checkout at library. Great if you want to play Doom 2 or NHL 2002. Not a good support link.
http://copiaguelibrary.org/whats_new/video_games.htmListing of collection, but can't be sure if these are available to check out or play in the library. Assuming the former. Not exactly on topic with thread, but could be used to support the theory that free library check-outs could encourage more patronage. Give GameStop fits too.
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/40484 Repeat of Gaming Target article.
http://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=3982
http://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=4941Read both, but they only deal with checking out games and not with forum topic of playing in the library or PC games. Limited to PS2.

So aside from three libraries loaning games out to the public, I haven't seen anything yet (I still need to check Google Groups) that is really giving solid backing to LAN gaming or playing inside the library. I can buy into the argument that having games available for check out can encourage more patronage and could expand horizons of video game players to actually read. Libraries have done this with videos, vinyl records and other media. But hosting a gaming center? That's where I draw the line on the library getting a benefit out of it.

[Charles]

It is about forced change to hang on.

Are you referring to "evolution?" Isn't that a good thing? It's what got us here today eh?

[Charles]

I dunno, maybe Im a snob, but I don't want to be around people who can't afford 3 cents. Thats just me.../shrug

There are people like that everywhere. Not just libraries. I go to libraries, not because I'm cheap, but because I like checking out lots of books, some of which I don't end up reading.

I can go into a library and walk out with $200 worth of books (not uncommon considering the cost of hard cover books these days) and read what I want. I don't consider that being cheap.

[Charles]

Yeah, sounds like he wants a LAN/Gaming Cafe type place, but free? Heh, one of my good friends tried to run one of those for a while (well, not free, you payed by the hour) and while it was cool, it went under in a year, even in a college town where there was a good demographic for it.

Then again, he is a coke fiend, that might have had something to do with it.

In my marketing class, we read that college towns were the worst place for things like LAN centers mainly because people in college all have computers (and high end ones at that) as well as high speed internet access.

The really successful ones are the ones in my hometown, which is somewhat rural. People still use P3's there and most people are still on dialup. Hence, the LAN center is the only place for good multiplayer fun.

[Slartibartfast]

If they rented videogames I would go, there's no place around me to rent :( I tell ya, Boston is not exactly a gamer's town, even with all the big engineering schools here.

[Ominous Gamer]

I work in Library Services for www.HCPLC.org in fact my specific branch is the Jan Platt Library (look it up) with a monthy patron count of 60,000. I'm also kinda of ashamed of the early replies I read, its painfully obvious that many of you have not been to a library in several years.

We already provide computer cd-roms, not the doom 3 type, but we do have sims and rts games. Just search the database at the link I provided.

Most libraries are in fact, NOT, looking into gaming services. Right now the focus is on downloadable media. This means audio books and materials, not video games. This is replacing the focus of catching up the A/V materials (DVDs, books on CD, cd-roms, etc.)

There is currently increased pressure on the library system from the very vocal "blame them" group of people that feel it is the library's responsibility to control what their children check out.
The last thing they are gunning for is the children and there annoying parents.

[Kevlarman]

No, I go to the library to get some research done in a quiet environment, staffed with knowledgeable librarians.

Even if the library had a LAN gaming session, I'm sure the shouts and brouhaha would be able to carry on through the walls... unless they spent money on some acoustic tiles or something...

I sincerely hope that libraries don't go obsolete. It's true that we can get almost any information we want from the internet, but there's just something so.... tangible from reading words from a book, magazine, or newspaper. Besides, not everyone has a computer with broadband at home, and it's sometimes hard to find old, archiac tomes online.

Remember, you can do more than read books at the library. You can rent videos, regiter to vote, get tax forms, or just relax on your lunch break.

I love the library!

[Ominous Gamer]

No, I go to the library to get some research done in a quiet environment, staffed with knowledgeable librarians.

Even if the library had a LAN gaming session, I'm sure the shouts and brouhaha would be able to carry on through the walls... unless they spent money on some acoustic tiles or something...

I sincerely hope that libraries don't go obsolete. It's true that we can get almost any information we want from the internet, but there's just something so.... tangible from reading words from a book, magazine, or newspaper. Besides, not everyone has a computer with broadband at home, and it's sometimes hard to find old, archiac tomes online.

Remember, you can do more than read books at the library. You can rent videos, regiter to vote, get tax forms, or just relax on your lunch break.

I love the library!


My library actually has 2 "silent" rooms in which story time for children is held. They get pretty loud in there with the sing-alongs, but the noise never makes it more then 5 feet past the room.
A LAN session sounds like it would have to be setup by a third party, in a room provided by the library. My system does this for free, you just have to reserve a room.
The system would not knowing put this idea in effect based mainly on the crowd and energy costs.

[Master Bob]

I would go if they had LANs. And I already go to the library. I like to read and their movie selection is rather good.

[SnackDaddy]

My original statement.
Many Libraries, in an attempt to attract the attention of younger patrons, are currently developing or planning to develop Gaming services.

I said many, not most. Maybe I should have said several instead of many.
Gaming services does not necessarily equal LAN gaming center.
After the statement, I simply asked a few questions for everyone to consider.

This has turned out to be quite a good discussion. Thank you all for your contributions.

http://www.gaminginlibraries.org seems to be working now, for me at least.

A few more links to consider:


http://www.jocolibrary.org/?displaypageid=849
http://www.libraryforlife.org/blogs/lifeline/?p=397
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/entertainment/13632143.htm
http://gaminginlibraries.org/2005symposium/printprogram.html
http://pdfs.voya.com/VO/YA2/VOYA200502VideoGames.pdf
http://www.sarahlong.org/ourlibraries/read/index.php?articleID=236
http://www.cary.lib.il.us/caryteen/teens.htm
http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/yas/events.html
http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/TEENPAGE/TEENCAL.HTM
http://www.eauclaire.lib.wi.us/whatsnew/pdf/vid_tourn_win_2005.pdf
http://www.rapidcitylibrary.com/youth/discoverycalendar.htm
http://www.news14charlotte.com/shared/print/default.asp?ArID=98447
http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Gaming
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0510&L=mhls-ys&T=0&P=2197
http://www.ci.casa-grande.az.us/parks_and_rec/fbrochure/lib_teen_scene.php
http://www.open.org/newlibr/YoungAdult/YApage.htm
http://www.bloomingtonlibrary.org/gamefest/faqs.html
http://www.gatewaynewspapers.com/coraopolis-moonrecord/news/57284/
http://www.manitowoc.lib.wi.us/calendar/nc06202005.htm
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=2667892
http://www.richland.lib.sc.us/press_releases/release.cfm?release_id=320
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/columnists/12215131.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
http://www.wisinfo.com/heraldtimes/lsc/archive/lsc_21466791.shtml

[SnackDaddy]

it isn't just for video games, but is inclusive to board games, role-playing games and tabletop games.

Thanks for pointing that out. Probably a more important point than I had thought in the begining. My focus was on the video gaming aspect mostly because this tends to be a video game focused forum.

[I'm the Dude, man]

The library has tons of stuff you'll not find on the internet yet. And a lot of it valuable. That's why Google wanted to start that project of scanning books endlessly. Books and books and books.

The internet is more like a giant magazine rack, with plenty of crap magazines in there too.