So You're Thinking About Minecraft at Your Library Janice Scurio, Teen Services Librarian, Madison Public Library This presentation will look at the history of interactive learning and gaming in libraries and educational settings. Everyone wants to be able to offer their patrons the best resources for learning and entertainment. In a time of limited budgets, it will ask the question: when is the right time to consider investing in tech heavy programming considering such factors as cost, educational value and the fleeting popularity of technology over time? In the presentation, we use the example of Second Life and Minecraft to advocate for an examination of the professional literature before investing heavily in a currently popular learning tool or game that may or may not be the right fit given your intended use and desired outcomes.

1. So You’re Thinking
About Minecraft at Your
Library.
WILSworld Conference Presentation
Janice Scurio
Teen Services Librarian
Madison Public Library

2. About Me
Teen Services Librarian at Madison Public Library
Head Minecraftian
former Library Intern at Austin Public Library
MPL’s Minecraft initiative is modeled very
closely after Austin’s
Extensive off-the clock training

3. So you want to run a Minecraft
program at your library, huh?
Here are things to consider.
Consoles vs. PC/Mac
Funding…?
Projected attendance/interest
Implementation
Beta testing
Support/Maintenance

4. Funding
Step 1: Find potential grants
Step 2: Ask for money
Step 3: ????
Step 4: Profit

5. Consoles vs. PC/Mac
Consoles like the Playstation 3/4 or Xbox require less
maintenance and are easier to set up
Multiplayer is limited (up to 4 players at once)
Texture packs are considered DLC and may be costly
PCs/Macs require regular maintenance, technological literacy,
and care taking
PC/Mac Minecraft gives gamers the more “traditional”
experience
Virtually unlimited multiplayer

6. Projected Interest/
Attendance
This may effect the amount of computers you eventually choose
to buy.
Space. Where will you hold the program? How many kids/
parents can that space accommodate?
Ask kids and parents - do you play Minecraft at home? Have you
ever played Minecraft? Would you like to learn how?
Minecraft Pocket Edition for iOS/Android
Marketing - Word of mouth is best
Ask staff members if patrons ask about the program

7. Implementation
Computer Setup and imaging
Backup Solutions
Security Solutions
Training
Reference and Documentation

8. Beta Test All The
Things!
What you think will work well may not work at all!
Beta testing allows early discovery of tech problems
Experiment with spaces. Out in the open vs. programming
rooms
Ask kids what they liked best. Ask what they didn’t like.
Use that feedback
Handling large crowds - Time limits, turns, etc.
Teen interns/volunteers

9. Support and
Maintenance
Have a regular schedule for maintenance
Clean them, too
Know your warranties
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
(Ahem…you can ask me)
jscurio@madisonpubliclibrary.org