Would You Like To Play A Game?

Don't worry, I'm not going to suggest "Global Thermalnuclear War."

I think games in the library are a fantastic idea! We already use them with our youngest patrons (learning puzzles & other types of games in our early literacy kits), it just goes to reason that we continue to use games as a way of reaching & teaching patrons of all ages. We want to meet people where they feel comfortable, in some situations that means taking ourselves out of our own comfort zone. We've known for a long time that people enjoy using our public computers to play games, there is nothing wrong with that. We are not here to pass judgement on what is "right," "wrong" or "worthy." We are here to provide access. Access to ideas, to open discussions, to free speech. We are not here to restrict, deny or denigrate. (Who put that soapbox here?)

My point is: people like to play games. People like to go where they can play games (in person & virtually). We like people. We like people to come to us (in person & virtually). If we can provide what people need, they will come to us. If what they NEED is to come in & blow off some steam while blowing away zombies, collecting tokens or feeding baby dragons, who are we to judge? They might just pick up a James Patterson book on the way out!

I'm not a huge fan of Second Life, I think it's heyday has come & gone. But it can't hurt to have a small presence there. Really, I think HCPL has a big need for an Inernet Services librarian, whose job is to monitor most of these technologies we're discussing & be the one creating much of the content that will be sent out. They could "staff" the Second Life library, as well as send out twitter updates & notices ("Hot out there? Come cool off @ the library!"), maintain our Facebook page, create & edit podcasts, make sure our blogs are being posted to regularly, etc. etc.

And that's all I have to say about that.