an introduction to cataloguing video games for Toronto District School Board cataloguing staff

1. Cataloguing Video Games

2. Why catalogue video games?
● Pedagogical tool just like DVDs or books
● Supports differentiated learning
● Connect with reluctant readers, pair games
with related movies and books
● In TDSB, some schools have special
programming around video games, e.g video
game club at Elmbank PS, video game
design program at George Harvey CI

3. Research
Sampling of articles from ERIC (Educational
Resources Information Centre)
ERIC #: EJ952041
Title: Using Gaming to Motivate Today's Technology-Dependent Students
Authors: Petkov, Marin; Rogers, George E.
Publication Date: 2011
ERIC #: EJ982837
Title: Bring Back the Boys
Authors: Carr-Chellman, Alison
Publication Date: 2012
ERIC #: ED535885
Title: Guys and Games: Practicing 21st Century Workplace Skills in the Great Indoors
Authors: King, Elizabeth M.
Publication Date: 2011
ERIC #: EJ950509
Title: Using Civilization IV to Engage Students in World History Content
Authors: Pagnotti, John; Russell, William B., III
Publication Date: 2012

4. When?
● West Hill CI has a collection of
approximately 100 video games.
● The collection will be shipped to Tippett at
the end of June for summer cataloguing.
● All Cataloguers and System Techs will be
given a few video games to catalogue.
● All First Pass will be given a few video
games to process.
● Collection will be shipped back at the end of
August.

5. How?
Search on OCLC, scan in UPC barcode.
container and label on disc are chief sources of
information.
● Record must include:
● 007
● 008
● 245 $h[video game]
● 538 for system requirements
● 521 for ESRB rating
● 6xx subject headings with $x Computer games
● 710 for game publisher

6. How?
Search UPC barcode in OCLC

7. How?
Workform in Horizon (now only in Training)

8. Call number & item record
Video games need special hardware. Most
games are played on "consoles"; some games
are placed on PCs. Call no. must include type
of console.

9. Call number & item record
Easier to find if all games for one console
shelved together; include console name in call
number. For example:
082 00 $223 $aGAME XBox Civ for Civilization
collection code: game (now for board & video
games)
loan period: av

10. ESRB Ratings for Video Games
ESRB = Entertainment Software Rating Board
http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp
What is the ESRB?
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the non-profit, self-regulatory body that assigns
ratings for video games and apps so parents can make informed choices. The ESRB rating system
encompasses guidance about age-appropriateness, content, and interactive elements.
Are all games and apps required to have a rating?
The rating system is voluntary, although virtually all video games that are sold at retail in the U.S. and
Canada are rated by the ESRB. Many U.S. retailers, including most major chains, have policies to only
stock or sell games that carry an ESRB rating, and console manufacturers require games that are
published on their systems in the U.S. and Canada to be rated by ESRB.

11. ESRB Ratings for Video Games
As with books, selection remains with TL. Bring
questions to Lorna or Lisa.

12. ESRB Ratings for Video Games

13. QUESTIONS?