The Role of FIDO in a Cyber Secure Netherlands: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptx
The Power of Gaming in Libraries
1. THE POWER OF GAMING
A Brief Why, What, and How of Video Games in Libraries
Maggie Hommel
Park Ridge Public Library
mhommel@prpl.org
http://www.slideshare.net/magpie984
2. About Me
Currently: Reader Services Manager
Previously: Young Adult Librarian
In Between: Grant funded program at U of I to study
learning and literacy applications of technology (aka
video games)
3. Definitions
Digital Games
Complex Games
What Makes a Game
Fun
Chance (outcome is unpredictable)
Goal
Competition
Rules / Structure
Active
4. Why Gaming?
72% of American households play video
games
Average game player is 37
In 2011, 29% of gamers older than 50
55% of gamers play on their phone or
handheld device
Source: 2011 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data.
Entertainment Software Association
26. Starting a Collection
Challenges:
Convincing Stakeholders
Establishing Policy
Deciding on Consoles
Selecting Titles
Vendors
Budget
Security
Skokie Public Library’s Collection
27. Convincing Stakeholders
Will book circulation go down?
Will it bring in new users?
Will it serve underserved populations
(males 18-34)?
What about violence?
Surveys, circ stats, reports
30. Establishing Policies: Loaning Games
Loan Period
Limits on borrowing
Use DVD or CD checkout policies
Consider number of items, flow of materials
Loan equipment with games?
Materials Restrictions Loan Renew Reserve Overdue Maximum
Period Charge
Video Registered patron 2 Yes (1 Yes $1.00 per $25.00 (but
Games of the Park Ridge weeks time only) day not to
Public Library; exceed
limit 5 per person retail cost)
33. Selecting Titles
Online: www.gamespot.com, www.amazon.com,
www.metacritic.com,
www.commonsensemedia.org
Magazines: Electronic Gaming Monthly, Game
Informer
Ask your patrons – informally or formally!
Some traditional review journals
34. Budget
Figure around $49.99 – $59.99 for new games
$19.99 -$39.99 for handhelds
Replacement – Discs do get damaged; figure in
about 5%+ theft/non-return
35. Security
Security cases – fit in DVD cases
Keep discs behind the counter?
Fines
Limits on number of checkouts
Check ID?
37. Video Game Programming: Open Play
Works best with social games
Ask what people want to play
Good for After School Crowd
Waupaca, WI Public Library
38. Tips for Video Game Programming
Listen to Your Users
What are they playing
What are they asking for?
39. Listen to Your Users
Yu Gi Oh Tournaments
dhudec@prpl.org
Angry Birds Live
Runescape Tournament
Minecraft Tournament
41. Tips for Video Game Programming
Use what is unique to the
Library
Shared space
Social Interaction
Larger Scale
Chance to meet and interact
with new friends
Competition
42. Tips for Video Game Programming
Video Game equipment and games are
expensive, so use what you have:
Teens
Gamer husbands
Gamer friends
Their equipment
Their expertise
47. What does Game Design Teach?
PROBLEM-SOLVING AND PROJECT-DESIGN SKILLS
logical reasoning
debugging (problem solving)
developing ideas from initial conception to
completed project
sustained focus and perseverance
48. What does Game Design Teach?
MATHEMATICS
Random Numbers
Variables
Cartesian Coordinate System
Conditional statements
Graphing / spatial relationships
49. What does Game Design Teach?
DESIGN PROCESS
Idea generation
Project creation
Assessment and revision
New idea
Project creation
Etc.
50. Video Game Design
Free Programs
Scratch http://scratch.mit.edu
Alice http://www.alice.org
Robocode http://robocode.sourceforge.net/
Greenfoot http://www.greenfoot.org
Unity 3D http://unity3d.com/
Gamemaker
http://www.yoyogames.com/make