And, as I’ve posted elsewhere, it makes me sad to see so many other library users checking out only DVDs week after week. And yeah, I know this is *my* issue (although I know I’m not alone). But I actually don’t oppose librarians using games - anything that brings people into libraries is okay with me. I just think it’s sad that there are so many young people who we can’t seem to reach with grabby books alone. I really want kids to get excited about reading. –W

I was glad you asked about this, because I’ve been meaning to blog about the grant for a couple of months but just hadn’t taken the time yet. I’ll try to provide periodic updates, especially as things become more concrete. Thanks for commenting.

But - a true fact is that our Youth Services circ stats certainly did increase much like those in Schaumburg. Two years after installing our PS2s in the media bar circulation in the juvenile area increased 64%. JNF saw the largest percentage with a 109% jump. But who knows… maybe they weren’t reading those books… might have just been looking at the pictures…

oh… and I heart THEM TARZAN - WE JANE!

Thank you for the post and the links to resources encouraging this discussion. I’m presenting at the American Comparative Literature Association (ACLA)next week about the changes in narrative from gaming and traditional print text. The focus of the paper is on how gaming is changing how people interact with text and increasing their expectations of what narrative & interactive storytelling can be. Video games are not decreasing a generation’s interest in reading, video games are changing their expectations.

Since I’ll be speaking with literature and composition faculty, I’ll be talking about what this could mean for teaching and how we, as educators, can draw upon these expectations to engage students in reading and creating narrative. I’ve spent time over the last few months researching this and I’ll be starting to summarize my readings over the next week.

Whether or not our gaming patrons are checking out materials is the practical, fiscal part of the effect gaming has on libraries. But how and why they read, create narratives, and write is a piece of the gaming / literacy puzzle. Tapping into that can keep them returning to reading and the library again and again.

Paul

http://website.education.wisc.edu/steinkuehler/mmogresearch.html

I grew up as a reluctant reader. Now I write action-adventures & mysteries, especially for boys 8 and up, that kids hate to put down. My web site is at http://www.maxbooks.9k.com and my Books for Boys blog is at http://booksandboys.blogspot.com
Ranked by Accelerated Reader

Thank you,

Max Elliot Anderson

Really, the thing that is going to encourage activities that promote any kind of literacy, including the traditional, is if teens feel welcome in the library and more so, if they develop a relationship with staff who will help them find the right book etc. to engage them. This can happen through any kind of programming that draws interest.

P.S. I have stumped more than one person by asking them if they would object to the library hosting a knitting program (avid knitter here) and then asking how gaming is any different.

We talk about teens alot, but we also include a tourney for adults too. They love it!
For them its not about the competition as it is the feeling that “Man, we could have never done this in the library when I was a kid.”

And I need to go out and get Eli’s book. That guy knows his stuff.

Glad to see such a lively discussion on gaming in libraries. As many on this board have said any steps we can take to encourage more children and teens t to spend time in the library is worthwhile.
We’re very excited about working with the ALA on this grant project to help quantify how gaming can assist in learning and literacy.
For those planning to attend the ALA’s conference in Anaheim this summer, please stop by the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 28, where we will announce additional information on the ALA’s gaming grant.
Sincerely,

Nancy Williams
Verizon Foundation – National Program Director – Literacy

Thanks for commenting!
Jenny