people for a library-themed video game
JustinLibrarian
Community oriented Teen Librarian. Proud Husband and Father. Lover of Google and Social Networking. Huge music fan. Co-Founder of 8BitLibrary.com.
Homepage: http://twitter.com/justinlibrarian
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Posts by JustinLibrarian
Cataloging Video Games at your Library: A brief introduction
Aug 31st
Dewey probably never envisioned a time where we’d be cataloging video games that we play on our talking picture boxes, so why do we have to listen to him? Cataloging video games is a new thing for libraries. There’s a bit of confusion floating around on how to do it, so I say we capitalize on this chance to forge a new path ahead.
I have started circulating video game collections at two libraries and we did the call numbers two different ways. Both have their pros and cons as you will be able to easily see.
At the Cape May County we labeled the games with this format:
(GAME) (FORMAT) (FIRST THREE LETTERS OF TITLE)
For example, Super Mario Galaxy 2 for the Nintendo Wii would look like this:
GAME WII SUP
Here’s an example of this method:
At my current library, we label the games with simpler tag:
TEEN GAME
Our thinking was that the games were in the teen area and the titles were easily visible on the spine label already.
Here’s an example of this method:
—–
My point with this post is simple. There are many different ways that you can do this and it all boils down to the simple question “what will work best for your patrons?”
Please share any video game cataloging examples you have in the comments below!
Library’s game to attract teen patrons (via the Portland Press Herald)
Aug 12th
Photo by Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer for the Portland Press Herald
When I talk about gaming in the library, I’m often vague and quite hippie-ish with what I’m going for. I need an editor for everything I do. Luckily, the teens of Portland, ME are there to finish my sentences.
All summer, Max and Josh Tommer, ages 10 and 16, respectively, have been coming to game night, playing a board game called Settlers of Catan.
“I just wish this was our house,” Max said.
This is why we’re gaming in the library.
Why Does the Media Still Think Video Games are Bad for Kids?
Aug 10th
Why Does the Media Still Think Video Games are Bad for Kids?Experts say video games can help children develop complex critical thinking skills, experiment at their own pace, and learn from their own mistakes. So why does the media still focus only on the negatives of video gaming?
To read more of this article, click here: Why Does the Media Still Think Video Games are Bad for Kids?
JP’s edit: Coinciding with today’s #libgaming chat is the twitter meme hashtag going around: #gamingis Let’s try to merge these convos!!
I wrote this post a few weeks ago which sort of touches on this same subject
Thanks to Bobbi Newman for pointing this article out.
The Importance of Play
Jul 30th
My son Finn exploring "The Legendary Starfy" on the Nintendo DS.
From such an early age, we’re taught the importance of play. In their publication titled The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds, the American Academy of Pediatrics stresses the importance of play for young children.
Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.
I couldn’t agree with them more. In watching my son Finn grow over the past year and a half, I have seen how his playing with toys, dirt, sticks, pots, pans, and more have helped him develop his personality and skills. Through playing with pots, pans, and spatulas, the kid now has the motor skills to do very specific and focused tasks. I remember back to when he was 6 months old and how he was nothing more than a little blob that crawled around a bit and screamed for his mom’s breastmilk and think, “holy shit, play is really like his third parent.” It’s taught him so much.
However, I don’t fully agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics. They go on to talk about the decrease of free play in our society and how the “routine” of childhood has changed. One of their key factors as to why free play in childhood has changed has to do with, yup, video games:
The decrease in free play can also be explained by children being passively entertained through television or computer/video games. In sharp contrast to the health benefits of active, creative play and the known developmental benefits of an appropriate level of organized activities, there is ample evidence that this passive entertainment is not protective and, in fact, has some harmful effects.
Really? Call me a hippie, but I think video games are just a new form of free play and it’s about time we quit labeling them as something negative in regards to childhood. As someone who grew up on video games and turned out alright, I’m walking proof that video games are not as detrimental as we like to think they are.
Video games expanded my mind as a child. I would spend part of my days exploring the vast world of Hyrule as Link, scaling Death Mountain, collecting fairies, and exploring dungeons. The other part of my day was playing in the woods, discovering nature, and dreaming that this was my own Hyrule. It was a great childhood and I often look forward to the days where my son and I can enjoy life and explore both the real and virtual world together in the same way that I did.
Recently, my son Finn and I began experimenting with the Nintendo DS game The Legendary Starfy. A simple 2-D side scrolling game that features a star named Starfy as the main character, I got absorbed into this title not only because the simplicity and fun of the game but I also identified it as a good title to use to introduce the world of video games to Finn. He took to it quickly, at first because Starfy is as cute as hell and really, who can resist him? After Finn got the hang of the controls (and by hang, I mean he figured out that the buttons made Starfy do cool things like walk and spin), that’s where the fun began. I saw Finn moving Starfy left and right and use the buttons to make Starfy spin and interact with the bubbles around him. There was a giggle and a smile. Finn was not only enjoying the title, but he was picking up a new skill: “Hey, if I do this, it makes this star do cool things! What else can I do?” His focused changed and grew the longer he played the game. He explored the other elements of the game. He interacted with other characters on the screen. He pushed more buttons. One of the best moments came when he realized that the start button pauses the game and changes the screen to a giant, hopping Starfy. He looked at me and smiled. It’s as if he has found the holy grail of video games. And he did it all by himself. With this in mind, I ask you to recall the quote that I used to open up this post: “play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.” Heck yes it is. I saw my son grow and learn before my eyes all because of a giant star named Starfy on the Nintendo DS.
The key is balance. The American Academy of Pediatrics report talks a lot about balance, but at no point does it mention that a balance between virtual play and free play being an essential element towards having a healthy child. Instead, it gives video games the brand that they’ve been long marked with: mind numbing technology that will turn your child into a blob who can’t identify with society. Balance between different types of play (not just video games and free play) contributes to a healthy child, one who will develop the necessary cognitive, physical, social, and emotional they need to face the 21st century world.
In closing, I’d like to ask this: As librarians, we’re dealing with the public day in and day out. One of the great opportunities we have is the chance to educate our communities. How can we move forward towards a world where all forms of play are seen on a balanced level? It goes back to
the idea of Gamer’s Advisory that I had a few days ago. What types of programs and initiatives can we come up with to show the world the importance of many different types of play?—-
- You can find the publication The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds here.
- Read more about The Legendary Starfy here
- Thanks to The Unquiet Librarian and the Libraries and Transliteracy blog for helping me think outside the box about education and learning.
Sell that shit!
Jul 28th
Fire Emblem for the Wii and the strategy guide. Borrow the game, borrow the guide.
I know my years of slaving away in retail would come in handy.
Chances are, your circulating video game collection is gonna fly off the shelves, but why not spice it up as well? Present your video games with the strategy guide (and if the game has any books that might be similar, why not try those as well?)
Let’s call this Gamer’s Advisory.
(I think I recall Gamer’s Advisory coming out of Toby G’s mouth first. Thanks for the inspiration, you muse you! Read Toby’s blog here)
Project Brand Yourself a Librarian: THE AFTERMATH (PART 2)
Jul 27th
A couple of months ago, my best friend was visiting me in Lansing, and I decided to bite the bullet and get the library tattoo I’d been wanting. We’d been roommates during our mutual time at Michigan State University and had gotten in to our fair share of mischief back then, not the least of which was getting our first body modifications. That’s when I fell in love with tattoos. My first was a memorial tattoo for a recently-passed family member. My second tattoo reads, “I simply can’t do anything which I don’t feel deeply,” and is written in my own handwriting. (The guy who did the tattoo called it my “don’t sell out” tattoo, and it’s served me well in that regard.)
When I get tattoos, it is always an incredibly premeditated, personal decision. In looking at the comments on the Project Brand Yourself a Librarian page, I noticed people saying they’d wear a temporary library tattoo, they can’t afford another tattoo (a valid consideration), or they’re on the fence about getting a tat. I guess I was on the fence at first about getting my library tattoo as well, but it is something I absolutely don’t regret.
So many people stop me on the street now to ask, “Is that real?” of my tattoo. By and large, everyone talks about how cool it is, and it always starts a conversation about libraries (bonus!). Everything from questions about my library‘s overdue fines, to our millage, to a great conversation about what the library means for our community. One day, I was walking to a dinner meeting, and these two guys stopped me on the street. I thought they were messing with me at first and I was all set to ignore them. Instead they said, “Hey, is that a library thing?”
“Yeah – I work at the library.”
Their response? “That’s what’s up! Peace.” And with a nod and a smile, I was off to my meeting.
Ha! I love telling people this tattoo-related story because, especially for those who are “on the fence” about branding themselves a librarian, the BEST thing about library tattoos is the cred you suddenly find yourself armed with. If you’re prepared to permanently brand yourself a librarian, a lot of people have respect for that, and in my community, people understand that working at a public library can be quite the experience. The tattoo lets people know that you’re serious about what you do. Permanently serious.
Post by Heidi Gustad. Check out her awesome blog here: http://www.heidijogustad.com/
Post-ALA Dance Party 2010 (cool down mix)
Jul 23rd
Just a little something to relax to over the weekend.
Have a fantastic weekend from the entire 8BitLibrary crew.
Capcom announces Mega Man Universe
Jul 22nd
As a HUGE Mega Man fan, I was excited to see the trailer for Mega Man Universe. But at the end of it, I was left thinking…”well now, what the hell was that?!?!?! Is this Capcom’s answer to Nintendo’s Mario Party or Super Smash Brothers series?
Luckily, we’ll find out more information today at the San Diego Comic Con 2010. Stay tuned to the Comic Con website here to find out more.
What’s my take? Well, my fingers are crossed that we’ll be getting the next great video game that can be used in library gaming programs. The trailer reeks of 4 player cooperative play. But then again, I may be wrong. We shall wait and see…
Until then, enjoy this speed run of Mega Man:
Building a Gaming program from the ground up
Jul 21st
When I came to the Portland Public Library in March 2010, there was nothing in the way of video games at the library. It threw me for a loop. I had to buckle down and get to work. This was quite a daunting task, one that many libraries are facing as they start up their own video gaming programs. So, I thought it would be cool to share my story so far, 3 months after we reopened to our community.
- We now have circulating video games (127 to be specific!). I don’t have circulation statistics yet, but as I write this I will say that only 10 remain on the shelf.
- CIRCULATION DETAILS! We lend out 6 games per card for one week. Each game can be renewed twice.
- Overall, Wii games have been the most popular. Most times, all of our Wii games have been checked out and there are no more on the shelf!
- Game Night has slowly grown since starting up in June. Teens have been bringing in their own Playstation 2 games to enjoy while another group has been slowly gathering around our board game collection (The Settlers of Catan being the biggest hit so far). All in all, we average about 7-10 teens per Game Night.
What am I trying to say? Gaming programs take time and effort. It’s a big task, but over the course of three months I’ve seen a great deal of change happen in the library. My point? The work is hard, but the investment is worth it. You’ll get that feeling when you see your first teen say “you can play video games…in the library?!?!?!?!?!”
Project Brand Yourself a Librarian: THE AFTERMATH (PART 1)
Jul 8th
We came, we ALA’ed, and we got branded as librarians…
Since I had already branded myself a librarian back in January of this year, I decided to go another route for the ALA 2010 Project Brand Yourself A Librarian. As an 8Bit Librarian, it goes without saying that video games have a special place in my heart. I can remember getting my Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986 along with the games Super Mario Brothers, Duckhunt, Trojan, and Mighty Bomb Jack. I was in love instantly, not with just the experience itself, but the characters as well. Old Nintendo games have a reputation for not having the most well developed story lines but I found out that worked to my advantage. Instead of books, it was video games that unlocked my curiosity and imagination. They challenged me to create stories, think, and create.
When it came time to get another tattoo, picking my homage to video games was easy. The Legend of Zelda was the first video game that captured me completely. I was so into the world of Hyrule and the main character Link that it was all I thought about. I would spend hours playing in the woods, envisioning my own Hyrule. I would draw maps based on what I discovered while playing the game. Point being, The Legend of Zelda unlocked something in me that had been locked up before. I became curious. Instead of just sitting back and having the world fed to me, I decided to seek it out on my own. I don’t know exactly why I became a librarian, but I’m thinking that had something to do with it. That eternal curious feeling.
One of the reasons why 8BitLibrary was started by JP and I was not only to advocate for video gaming in libraries but also to reach out to the people that are just like the six year old version of myself I described above. In my youth, video games in libraries were not something that went together at all. Because of that, I sort of backed away from my library as I got older. I felt like they didn’t get me. I now look back on those years as a time where I lost a valuable resource that could’ve changed my life. Who know what I would be like if I had the library to guide me during those teenage year. My point is simple…if I can reach out to those teens with games and show them just what else we have to offer, I might be able to make a positive impact on their life.
So, here’s where I explain my tattoo.
Here’s the history behind the game and the Triforce, the relic which Link holds in my tattoo. I got it simply because I love 8Bit art and I love what the triforce stands for: WISDOM. POWER. COURAGE
I feel like that should be the new logo and slogan for libraries.
(much love to Peter Bromberg for the photo)
