Get Your Game On: Developing A Video Game Collection for Children

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Get Your Game OnDeveloping A Video Game
Collection for Children Teens

• Presented by
• Renee McGrath
• renee_at_nassaulibrary.info

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Introduction

• Renee McGrath
• Nassau Library System
• renee_at_nassaulibrary.info
• http//www.nassaulibrary.org/gaming/corecollection
  .ppt
• www.delicious.com/nassaulibrary/gaming

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Everyone Plays Games

• What games do you play?
• What is the definition of a game?
• activity engaged in for diversion or amusement
  synonym see FUN
• What is a video game?
• an electronic game played by means of images on a
  video screen and often emphasizing fast action

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Games in Libraries Some Myths Realities
Adapted from Games in Libraries Myths
Realities by Scott Nicholson, The NYLA Bulletin,
Fall 2008
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Myth 1

• Games are new in libraries
• Chess
• Checkers
• Other board games
• Summer reading games
• Survivor/Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
• Others?

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Myth 2

• Gaming is only for teens
• The average age of a gamer is 35 yrs old has
  been playing games for 13 years.
• 26 of people over 50 are playing an increase
  from 9 in 1999.
• 40 of all game players are women. In fact, women
  over the age of 18 represent a significantly
  greater portion of the game-playing population
  (33) than boys age 17 or younger (18).

The Entertainment Software Association,
www.theesa.com/facts/index.asp
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Myth 3

• This is a library, not a music store!
• This is a library, not a movie theatre!
• This is a library, not a computer lab!
• This is a library, not a café!
• This is a library, not an arcade!

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Myth 4

• Gaming can be expensive
• You can start small.
• Gaming events with borrowed hardware and
  software.
• 500 can get you started with a few choice games
  and a console, if you already own a TV or a
  projector.
• To start a circulating collection look for
  grant money. Friends? Local Pols.
• Evaluate your collection and move money around.

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Some Interesting Facts and Where to Collect Them
The Entertainment Software Association
http//www.theesa.com
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Some Interesting Facts from The Entertainment
Software Association

• U.S. computer and video game software sales grew
  6 in 2007 to 9.5 billion more than tripling
  industry software sales since 1996.
• 65 of American households play computer or video
  games. 
• 63 of parents believe games are a positive part
  of their childrens lives.
• 85 of all games sold in 2007 were rated "E" for
  Everyone, "T" for Teen, or "E10" for Everyone
  10.
• 94 of game players under the age of 18 report
  that their parents are present when they purchase
  or rent games.
•  The average age of the most frequent game
  purchaser is 40 years old.

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WHY GAME COLLECTIONS AT THE LIBRARY? BECAUSE

• Libraries are about content in many formats
• Games are the medium of choice for the millennial
  generation
• Games are literary
• Patrons play games and want games
• Games bring in new users
• Games meet Teen Child developmental needs

Beth Gallaway, Information Goddess Consulting
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Collection Development
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Game Policy Questions

• Who is the collection for?
• What formats will you collect?
• What genres will you collect?
• What is your selection criteria?
• What resources will you use to select?
• Where will you purchase from?
• Is there a donation policy?
• How will the collection be cataloged?
• Where will it be stored?
• What security measures need to be taken?
• What is the procedure for materials challenge?

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Sample Video Game Policy

• Schwarzwalder, Jami. Video Game Collection
  Development Policy. Super Mario Brothers
  Memorial Public Library. November 2005.
  http//www.mbmpl.org/vg/?page_id6. July 23, 2007.

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Library Wikis Best Practices

• Library Success A Best Practices Wiki
  http//www.libsuccess.org/index.php?titleGaming
• ALA Gaming Wikihttp//gaming.ala.org/resources/in
  dex.php?titleMain_Page

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Purchasing Games

• Library companies
• BT, SS Worldwide, Thomas Kline/Crimson
  Multimedia (http//www.crimsoninc.com/)
• Games stores
• Game Stop, EB Games, Game Crazy
• Retailers
• Amazon.com, Best Buy, Walmart

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Game Reviews Magazines

• Game Informer 19.98/yr, http//www.gameinformer.
  com/
• Nintendo Power 19.95/yrhttp//www.nintendopower.
  com/
• Official Xbox Magazine 14.95/yrhttp//www.oxmonl
  ine.com/
• PC Gamer 19.95/yr http//www.pcgamer.com/
• PlayStation Monthly (PSM) 10.00/yrhttp//www.psm
  online.com/

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Game Reviews Websites

• http//www.gamerankings.com
• http//www.gamespot.com/
• http//www.gamespy.com
• http//www.1Up.com

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Family Friendly Review Sites

• Children's Technology Reviewwww.childrenssoftware
  .com
• Common Sense Mediawww.commonsensemedia.org/
• Edutaining Kidswww.edutainingkids.com/
• Amazon.comwww.amazon.com
• Gamer Dad
• www.gamingwithchildren.com/
• Parent's Choice
• www.parents-choice.org/

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Library Reviews Articles

• SLJs The Gaming Life column
• VOYAs Get Your Game On column

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Ratings What Is The ESRB?

• The Entertainment Software Ratings Board
• (ESRB) is a self-regulating body established
  by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
  ESRB applies and enforces game ratings,
  advertising and online privacy principles. They
  are primarily know for evaluating games for
  violence, sex, language, substance abuse and
  other characteristics

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ESRB Widget
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Collection Management Storage

• Choose secure storage
• Display Style Shelving
• Browsing bin/binder of titles with games behind
  circ desk

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Troubleshooting

• Clearly label
• Collections are self-weeding
• Games can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol
• Scratches can be removed with cleaning devices
  used for CDs DVDs

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Theft

• Secure your collection
• Build community
• Start with programs
• Start small
• Examine circulation policies

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Build Community

• Picture of our gaming bins with consoles games

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Best Practices Collections
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Peninsula Public Library

• Platform Wii Started with 30, increased to 50
• Ratings Games rated E some T
• Loan Period 7 days, no renewals 2 per card
• 10 fee for lost booklet
• Grant Money
• Case out front, game behind desk
• Genres
• Educational (My Word Coach)
• Simulation (Sims, Lego Land)
• Sports (Madden)
• Trivia (Brain Academy)
• Nothing that requires an add-on (steering wheel)

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North Bellmore Public Library

• Platform PS 2 3, Wii, Xbox 360
• Ratings Games rated E, E10 T
• Loan Period 7 days, no renewals 1 per card
• 2.00 day late fee/ replacement cost
• Laminated card out front, game behind desk
• Looks at game stop for ratings and reviews, takes
  patron requests
• 1500 to start, now has a line in the budget
• Collection totals 150 games
• Genres
• A little of everything

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Marketing Strategy

• Be like a supermarket

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Innovative Thinking
www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id13796
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The Road Ahead is Not Easy

• Many will scoff
• Getting approval may be difficult without someone
  mentioning Grand Theft Auto!
• Be strong and stand up for your kids.

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Desired Results

• GIVING PATRONS WHAT THEY WANT!
• Reaching and building a new audience
• Getting them excited about the library
• Parents will be appreciative about these programs
  and collections
• Promoting positive social interactions

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Stay informed!
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www.delicious.com/nassaulibrary/gaming
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Get Inspired!

• Block me, and I will go around you. Build a wall,
  and I will build a door. Lock the door and I will
  break a window. And if I dont have a leader to
  inspire me, I will lead. If I dont have a team
  that will support me, I will recruit a team from
  beyond the organizational boundaries - every
  policy has a loophole, every system has a hidden
  reward.

David Lankes blog http//ptbed.org/blog/?p692 H
enry Vs St. Crispens Day Speech
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Thank you!Happy Gaming!