the librarian/teacher/information professional/video gamer commune
Posts tagged twitter
What type of media belongs in a library? (or, Who Are We?)
51 year ago
I’ve been getting alot of questions lately: “what IS 8bitlibrary“?
6 months ago i would have said “it’s the gaming-in-libraries blog”! And I’m not, 6 months later, saying that statement is wrong. But we’re about a bigger issue, and that is: “we’re the #makeithappen blog“.
In libraries, #makeithappen is a taking new exciting ideas and seeing them through to the end. It’s the blog about all the really cool new stuff people are actually doing in libraries.
I had the opportunity to watch the Joaquim Phoenix movie I’m Still Here thanks to the Netflix instant queue. It was a great documentary about Joachim trying to become a Hip-Hop star. I won’t give spoilers, but the end, to say the least, “leaves you wondering”.
Tonight, again because of the Netflix Instant Queue on Xbox, I got to see the 1998 documentary Wrestling with Shadows, which ultimately chronicles the end of Bret Hitman Hart’s WWF career, with the Montreal Screwjob being the crux of the story. Everyone KNOWS wrestling is scripted, and the movie takes you through the process of how wrestling IS scripted. However, the end of the movie is the story of a script gone wrong, where the person who was supposed to win was “screwed”. In the 90s wrestling era, this was a defining moment of “OMG, wrestling can be REAL sometimes!!!”.
When the movie started, I felt that the fact that a documentary was being recorded at the convenient moment when the ultimate wrestling “real” outcome (vs the usual fake wrestling) was proof that even at the time wrestling was “real”, it was also an elaborate hoax.
I suggested to my wife that this would be a great program for a library (like a book discussion, but with movies instead of books). Show both movies and have people discuss the fictional and the factual elements of both, and maybe try to decide which told a better fictional but factual story.
My wife said “this doesn’t belong in libraries“. There’s lots of dicks, boobs, balls, sex, and drug use in the Joachim movie after all, and the wrestling movie was full of violence: everything we love to censor.
I thought back to all the books I have read since becoming a librarian. Lots worse violence. Way more sex and drug use. Much more graphic violence. They are making a MOVIE out of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, after all! As an aside, that book was set right in the same historical period as the Montreal Screwjob.
I said to myself: WHY is it ok to have certain forms of “inappropriate” expression in books but not movies? Why do we treat some forms of media as sacred, and other forms as dirty?
This, of course, is also what 8bitlibrary.com is about. We believe that storytelling media shouldn’t be judged just because it is presented in a certain media format and not another.
And so, I ask, how have libraries dealt with “controversial” content in one form of media that is less-controversial in other forms? We already know that some library board in the middle of nowhere decided to ban their library from showing the Michael Moore movie Sicko just because they didn’t agree with the argument the movie made. I’m sure they already own books that make similar arguments, and no one cares. Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong’s grandfather, would probably applaud their ban.
So, should libraries ban content in some formats and not others? And, do you feel like 8bitlibrary.com is just a “gaming blog”, or do you feel like we talk about gaming so much because we are touching on an issue that is really relevant to current libraries?
I wrote an article in January 2011′s School Library Journal along with 8bitlibrary.com contributor Beth Gallaway on the USA Supreme Court Case on First Amendment Rights and how they apply to video game content (vs, say, the same content in a Bugs Bunny cartoon). Same issue, different media format.
I would really love to get a convo going, either here, on twitter, or on facebook, about what you think!!!
Thanks for reading, true believers.
#makeithappen! 
#libgaming (Topic: July 7, 2010: Core Collections)
11 year ago
#libgaming will discuss the following topic today at 4pm EST on Twitter
If you were to create a core collection list of MUST HAVE titles for your library collection, what would they be and why?
#libgaming (Topic: June 16, 2010: Best of E3)
01 year ago
#libgaming will discuss the following topic today at 4pm EST on Twitter
How will E3′s announcements this week affect your future gaming-in-libraries decisions?
I understand that you may not have had time to keep up with the E3 announcements. You can catch up: 1up.com’s Microsoft E3 presentation coverage, gamepro.com’s Nintendo E3 presentation highlights, gamespot.com’s full Sony E3 presentation video.
@8bitlibrary on Twitter tweeted highlights of all three press conference while they were happening, so be sure to follow us to stay up-to-date with the latest news in gaming.
And don’t worry, as our discussion reveals itself, much bigger issues than E3 2010 will be raised!
#libgaming chat transcript from 6/9/2010
01 year ago
by InformationGoddess
in advocacy
June 9, 2010 TOPIC: How can libraries get video game publishers more involved and interested in the video gaming in libraries movement?
9:44 AM 8bitlibrary: #libgaming today on Twitter at 4pmEST (here’s the topic!) http://www.facebook.com/8bitlibrary/posts/107242202657119
10:45 AM jlborgerding: RT @8bitlibrary: #libgaming today on Twitter at 4pmEST (here’s the topic!) http://www.facebook.com/8bitlibrary/posts/107242202657119
11:35 AM LibrarianJP Today at 4PMest is the #libgaming chat, but with everyone tweeting about the #FailWhale, I wonder how it’ll work out…
15:57 PM cranburypl: RT @8bitlibrary: #libgaming today on Twitter at 4pmEST (here’s the topic!) http://www.facebook.com/8bitlibrary/posts/107242202657119
15:58 PM baldwind1976:RT @8bitlibrary: #libgaming today on Twitter at 4pmEST (here’s the topic!) http://www.facebook.com/8bitlibrary/posts/107242202657119
16:01 PM infogdss29: Great prompt: #libgaming
16:03 PM infogdss29: We need a “best games for libraries” award and/or selection list, to encompass all types of games… #libgaming
16:03 PM infogdss29: … for video games, I envision something like BFYA #libgaming
16:04 PM nnschiller: #libgaming What do libraries have to offer game publishers? Marketing? Publicity? Eyeballs on their products?
16:04 PM LibrarianJP: KICKING OFF! RT @infogdss29: How can libraries get video game publishers more involved & interested in video-gaming-in-libraries? #libgaming
16:05 PM infogdss29: John Scalzo did a “bookmark” award in 2008, and editors choice in 2009 http://www.videogamelibrarian.com #libgaming
16:05 PM JustinLibrarian: @nnschiller #libgaming I think we’re like salespeople. We can really focus on their customers and let them experience their games
16:05 PM finksbrary: Thanks to @argn for the nice article about our summer project http://www.argn.com/2010/06/local_summer_reading_arg_the_mystery_guest/ #libgaming #arg
16:06 PM JustinLibrarian: #libgaming This is my “call to arms” post on @8bitlibrary to publishers. http://blog.8bitlibrary.com/2010/06/04/dear-nintendo-an-open-letter-from-8bitlibrary/ I just want to light a fire under our ass
16:06 PM infogdss29: @nnschiller all of the above! #libgaming
16:07 PM GameCouch:RT @infogdss29 How can libraries get videogame publishers more involved and interested in the videogaming in libraries movement? #libgaming
16:07 PM JustinLibrarian: If libgaming the google group and @8bitlibrary did a best of video games award list, would that get something going? #libgaming
16:08 PM GameCouch: @infogdss29 game reviews in professional journals. #libgaming
16:08 PM kimberlyhirsh: Nintendo partnership info http://www.nintendo.com/corp/partnerships.jsp #libgaming
16:09 PM jlborgerding: RT @infogdss29: We need a “best games for libraries” award and/or selection list, to encompass all types of games… #libgaming
16:09 PM kimberlyhirsh: @JustinLibrarian I think it would certainly be a start. We might take the Cybil awards as a model. http://dadtalk.typepad.com/cybils/ #libgaming
16:10 PM JustinLibrarian: #libgaming @kimberlyhirsh Thanks for the RT
16:10 PM nnschiller: @JustinLibrarian I’ll buy that. It goes w/ @doctorow ‘s argument “obscurity is a bigger problem than piracy.” #libgaming
16:10 PM JustinLibrarian: #libgaming I think we need to form a knife and gently put it to the throats of the publishers. WE’RE HERE FOLKS. WE LOVE YOU
16:11 PM jlborgerding: I think having an award and reviews in prof journals would get the word out gaming is serious in libraries and not a fad #libgaming
16:12 PM nnschiller: @JustinLibrarian Problem is, we may need them more than they need us. Uncomfortable position, that. #libgaming
16:12 PM kimberlyhirsh: Could we find a way to form a partnership w/EA? They’ve got an outreach program. http://insideea.com/category/ea-outreach/ #libgaming
16:13 PM nnschiller: @jlborgerding Hmmm, collecting worldcat data on games might do that too. #libgaming
16:13 PM steve_librarian: @infogdss29 @JustinLibrarian Also would be nice to have “Opening Day Collection” for games, for libraries looking to get started #libgaming
16:14 PM kimberlyhirsh: @steve_librarian Or a Core Collection #libgaming
16:14 PM LibrarianJP: More important than having these ideas on #libgaming is IMPLEMENTING them, & w that in mind, Ill be talking to publishers in next few months
16:14 pm kimberlyhirsh: Activision Corporate Citizenship http://www.activision.com/index.html#about|en_US|type:community #libgaming
16:14 PM jlborgerding: @nnschiller #libgaming It’s going to be hard, but we have to prove why they need libraries. Like why studios need libraries for film & audio
16:14 PM JustinLibrarian: @nnschiller You are onto something there my friend. We have to show them that they need us #libgaming
16:14 PM infogdss29: @JustinLibrarian sure – if the video game category is part of broader list for all types of games :) #libgaming
16:15 PM JustinLibrarian: @nnschiller It is much like the dilemma publishers/ebooks/libraries are having #libgaming
16:15 PM JustinLibrarian: #libgaming Look at this post by @librarythingtim http://www.librarything.com/topic/92663 on ebooks and libraries
16:16 PM LibrarianJP: (off #libgaming topic) hope to see you all the ALA Open Gaming! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128333280524640
16:16 PM JustinLibrarian: @infogdss29 Heck yes it would be! (sorry, I am so video game minded!) #libgaming
16:16 PM LibrarianJP: DRM/DLC is a big issue for game collections RT @JustinLibrarian: #libgaming Look at this post by @librarythingtim http://www.librarything.com/topic/92663
16:16 PM JustinLibrarian: @steve_librarian It needs an update, but http://blog.8bitlibrary.com/basics/ #libgaming
16:17 PM nnschiller: @JustinLibrarian Hmmm. One possible solution, circulating devices w/ digital content, like some dedicated audiobook players. #libgaming
16:17 PM infogdss29: @jlborgerding VOYA, SLJ, & Video Librarian review video games – who else can/should? #libgaming
16:18 PM jlborgerding: Of course who is going to attempt to create these partnerships? ALA? PLA? ACRL? Grassroots? #libgaming
16:19 PM Jessican_DC: RT @JustinLibrarian: #libgaming This is my call to arms post on @8bitlibrary to publishers. http://blog.8bitlibrary.com/2010/06/04/dear-nintendo-an-open-letter-from-8bitlibrary/
16:20 PM JustinLibrarian: @nnschiller Nice! This would be beautiful. DS systems!
16:22 PM kimberlyhirsh: I think we need to approach publishers w/specific proposals. #libgaming
16:23 PM infogdss29: @LibrarianJP starting the conversation is a good idea – can you get more leverage by having a large organization behind you? #libgaming
16:23 PM JustinLibrarian: RT @kimberlyhirsh: I think we need to approach publishers w/specific proposals. #libgaming (agree. ONE VOICE! LET’S BE FRIENDS!)
16:23 PM nnschiller: @kimberlyhirsh #libgaming Yes! We should know exactly what we want before we ask for anything.
16:24 PM infogdss29: @JustinLibrarian you don’t have to apologize – I’m just thinking, let’s go big! :D #libgaming
16:24 PM JustinLibrarian: @infogdss29: @LibrarianJP Good point on the large organization. I think that’s where this community comes in. #libgaming
16:24 PM jlborgerding: I keep forgetting the #libgaming tag! :P Yep it’s a Hump Day.
16:26 PM jlborgerding: ACRL should review video games, but video games in academic libraries is still in infancy. :( #libgaming
16:27 PM kimberlyhirsh: Also might be better to approach industry groups for partnerships rather than individ. publishers http://www.theesa.com/foundation/index.asp #libgaming
16:28 PM infogdss29: @jlborgerding there’s a whole book on it :) and schools that offer game design seem like they’d have an edge on that #libgaming
16:28 PM nnschiller: @jlborgerding Perhaps a style-guide for academic game reviews? Placing ourselves on the review-criticism continuum? #libgaming
16:28 PM baldwind1976: @finksbrary Love the ARG concepts you all are running.. would love to do an ARG with our community #libgaming
16:28 PM nnschiller: #libgaming What do libraries need from publishers? What would benefit our users most?
16:29 PM GameCouch: @infogdss29 gaming in libraries could have its own standard professional journal (maybe under the auspices of the ALA) #libgaming
16:31 PM jlborgerding: @infogdss29 There are few books but I was thinking awards, reviews in journals, etc. LJ has a gaming column why not C&RL News? #libgaming
16:31 PM infogdss29: @GameCouch sure, if the MIG were to become a roundtable… hmmm #libgaming
16:31 PM JustinLibrarian: #libgaming I think @8bitlibrary and libgaming google group could be the keys to starting up a more professional review thing
16:32 PM jlborgerding: RT @GameCouch: Gaming in libraries could have its own standard professional journal (maybe under the auspices of the ALA) #libgaming
16:33 PM infogdss29: @JustinLibrarian that would give out awards, as well. #libgaming
16:33 PM JustinLibrarian: @infogdss29 @GameCouch YES YES YES YES YES YES! Roundtable!
16:34 PM JustinLibrarian: #libgaming My idea: I’d love to have ALA on board for the full run but while we pursue them, let’s just do it. Have SOMETHING running!
16:34 PM JustinLibrarian: @infogdss29 Yes, we need to give out awards! #libgaming
16:35 PM infogdss29: @jlborgerding LJ’s Games, Gaming & Gamers by @lizdanforth is all-encompassing http://blog.libraryjournal.com/gamesgamersgaming #libgaming
16:36 PM jlborgerding: #libgaming Give out an award at the ALA Open Gaming (with the after-party at the ALA Dance Party).
16:37 PM infogdss29: @JustinLibrarian actually, that was my thought when I started the google group :) #libgaming
16:37 PM infogdss29: @JustinLibrarian It could be digital… #libgaming
16:37 PM kimberlyhirsh: Seems to me we’re looking at different actions: 1) Specific projects in libraries 2) Awards 3) Scholarly publishing #libgaming
16:38 PM JustinLibrarian: @infogdss29 We partner with love and respect. @8bitlibrary for a common goal! #libgaming
16:38 PM jlborgerding @infogdss29 I follow her on Twitter and have her blog bookmarked, but the RSS feed is messed up and I can’t get it in my reader. #libgaming
16:40 PM infogdss29: @kimberlyhirsh I wonder if there are publisher grant opportunities, like LBP is doing w/ MacArthur #libgaming
16:41 PM kimberlyhirsh: @infogdss29 There’s the ESA Foundation and Nintendo partnerships. I didn’t find much else in a quick search. #libgaming
16:42 PM infogdss29: @snicholson @infomancy RT @JustinLibrarian @infogdss29 @GameCouch YES YES YES YES YES YES! Roundtable!
16:47 PM JustinLibrarian #libgaming Sorry to run, but I’m so out of steam that I’ll start babbling soon and not make much sense. Love you all hearts and good stuff
16:48 PM infogdss29: I’d like to see publishers at ALA, or even local ones at state conferences, but maybe they don’t recoup the investment? #libgaming
16:49 PM jlborgerding: @infogdss29 #libgaming Or goes back to the argument that they don’t have a need for libraries. Just have to show them why they need us.
16:50 PM nnschiller: @infogdss29 Agreed, but I wonder if the ALA vendor floor isn’t waning in influence. #libgaming
16:50 PM infogdss29: publishers could also help underwrite costs of a revived Gamers Learning & Libraries conference #libgaming
16:50 PM JustinLibrarian: @jlborgerding Thank you for the chat! We’ll always be back…
16:51 PM nnschiller: @jlborgerding Right. I think a good first step is gathering data on what we need from them and what they need from us. #libgaming
16:53 PM researchquest: @nnschiller what do they need from us? does our role increase or decrease as the console generation ages? #libgaming
16:55 PM jlborgerding: @researchquest I think it increases. The console gamers are still going to want their games even as they get older. #libgaming
16:55 PM nnschiller: @researchquest Libraries can provide access to gamers, a market for sales, and an infrastructure for an emerging media. #libgaming
16:56 PM researchquest: @nnschiller regardless of introducing new tech to people (Natal), whatever our role is gathering data is never a bad thing. #libgaming
16:56 PM mrabey: @infogdss29 Doesn’t Comic-Con have big gaming presence? And that happens usually right around same time as ALA–thus no gaming pubs @ ALA
16:58 PM jlborgerding: RT @nnschiller: Libraries can provide access to gamers, a market for sales, and an infrastructure for an emerging media. #libgaming
16:59 PM researchquest: @nnschiller @jlborgerding I agree with your thoughts we have multiple roles. Roles that depend more on our users than their tech #libgaming
17:03 PM jlborgerding: #libgaming Thanks for the chat this week. It was great. I’ll see everyone in 2 weeks! (at a conference next week). Go gamers! :)
17:04 PM ulotrichous: Sorry to miss #libgaming today, but here’s my 2¢: Focus on Marketers and PR firms, not publishers or devs. Most don’t do their PR in-house.
17:06 PM infogdss29: @ulotrichous thanks, eli, that’s an inaluable tip #libgaming
17:26 PM infogdss29: @mrabey ah, didn’t think of that angle! thanks #libgaming
22:00 PM Jessican_DC: @JustinLibrarian I missed most of the #libgaming during my commute. Can you tell me more about the google group?
22:11 PM infogdss29: @mrabey oh, that’s an excellent point! but these are BIG companies with BIG revenue…. #libgaming
June 10
13:22 PM infogdss29: @Jessican_DC http://groups.google.com/group/libgaming – forum for discussing all types of games, in all types of libraries :)
#libgaming (Topic: June 9, 2010)
11 year ago
by JustinLibrarian
in advocacy
#libgaming will discuss the following topic today at 4pm EST on Twitter
How can libraries get video game publishers more involved and interested in the video gaming in libraries movement?
#libgaming (Topic: June 2, 2010)
01 year ago
by JustinLibrarian
in advocacy
#libgaming will discuss the following topic today at 4pm EST on Twitter
Video Game collection development. Is your library circulating video games? If so, share your stories. What works and what doesn’t work? What are your policies?
#libgaming (Topic: May 26, 2010)
31 year ago
by JustinLibrarian
in advocacy
#libgaming will discuss the following topic today at 4pm EST on Twitter
What can we do to make positive steps towards getting gaming recognized as a valid source of literacy? What are we doing currently that is and isn’t working?
An advocacy letter to our readers
3Hey all,
Some of my favorite librarians, the ones with an eye on how information is communicated in our digital age, have told us to get on twitter. We are. They’ve told us to get on facebook, and you can now logon to 8bitlibrary.com with your facebook name. You can fan us on facebook. They’ve told us that the mobile web is growing, so we’ve set up 8bitlibrary.com to work beautifully on an Android OS or iPhone mobile browser.
What are we missing? We are trying to continue to move forward. What are you doing that we aren’t? Librarians in the 2010-2020 decade need to be asking that question: what are our users doing that we aren’t yet doing?
Libraries, for the sake of our very existence, need to stay relevant. Not only for advocacy efforts, but for our future place in the information landscape of those we serve. Sure, 8bitlibrary.com is about “gaming in schools and libraries”. But we what we really care about is keeping the library and educational (information) communities in the same place as those we serve.
So, what now?
Also, I would love those of you surfing this site via the mobile web to give us a shout-out, via our comment box, from your phone.
Signed,
JP & the whole 8bitlibrary.com team.
Reinstate #followalibrarian for #followfriday!
3UPDATE: Shoutout to 8bitlibrary.com‘s own @wawoodworth for being one of the founders of the whole #followalibrarian thing!
For those of us librarians on twitter, the people we follow are playing an important role in our professional and personal development. However, if you are new to twitter or you haven’t followed anyone in awhile, you may feel your tweets have leveled off in quality. I have a solution that isn’t “just give up on tweeting”.
Reinstate #followalibrarian for #followfriday!
Back in the day on twitter, librarians used the #followalibrarian hashtag to supplement the #ff or #followfriday hashtags. This helped librarians find each other. Somewhere along the line, #followalibrarian disappeared. It’s time to bring it back.
We here at 8bitlibrary.com are especially counting on you librarians with 1000+ followers to reinstate #followalibrarian. RT this article so we can breathe a new life in librarianship on twitter.
Even if you don’t have lots of followers, or any followers at all, you can still help. Here’s some ideas for you all!:
- School Librarians, #ff educational tweeps that librarians may not have have had contact with before.
- Children’s Librarians, who are your favorite musicians, authors, artists, tv personalities, bloggers, or lap-sitters?
- Library Directors, turn us on to great library twitter accounts that we can all use as examples for twitter marketing techniques.
- Academic Librarians, who can you #ff that will help the rest of us influence positive change on our campuses?
- Gamers, #ff some gaming tweeters who will help librarians build game collections.
- Non-librarians, who can you #ff that would help expand our librarian minds?
- Followers of @JustinLibrarian, RT this post, kthnx!
- All Twitter Librarians, follow the #ff’s from your tweeps. They probably won’t steer you wrong, and expanding who you follow beyond your PLN to related fields will only serve to make you a more well-rounded librarian.
- Librarians not yet on Twitter, join now and get in on the #followalibrarian renaissance.
Here at 8bitlibrary.com, we are about gaming in schools & libraries. But on a bigger scale, this website is about fitting librarianship into the framework of other fields. In this case, the field is gaming. You might be someone who can fit librarianship into a non-library box, and following related fields on twitter will help give you new ideas on how to do that.
Librarians have much to offer other fields, especially info, education, and social media related ones! By expanding who you follow, you are expanding our whole profession’s influence and importance.
Also, don’t forget to follow the whole 8bitlibrary.com crew: @8bitlibrary, @JustinLibrarian, @LibraryGuy, @librarymafia, @RedheadFangirl, @wawoodworth, & @LibrarianJP (ME!). Follow 8bitlibrary.com’s RSS feed and post your @ twitter name in the comment box here so others can follow you, too.
Follow 8bitlibrary.com on RSS, Twitter, and Facebook!
01 year ago
Just wanted to let our readers know that we have a twitter, @8bitlibrary!
Almost all of the content on our twitter is independent of the stuff you will get when you subscribe to our RSS or fan us on Facebook. While 8bitlibrary.com is all about gaming and new-media advocacy for schools & libraries, @8bitlibrary will keep librarians and educators updated on the latest breaking new stories from the video game community. We follow all the hot video game sources so you don’t have to.
So, be sure to subscribe/follow/fan, and thanks for your continued support! You all have made this little blog the hottest new edulib source around!