Colonel Mustard with the Rope in the Library

After I read this article by Heather Newman on Freep.com (Detroit Free Press), I wasn't wholly convinced that games necessarily have a place in every library setting, but if gaming activities manage to draw young people into the library with the promise of fun 'n' games (i.e. they may not equate it with learning or schoolwork), then there is definitely an argument to be made for games as an aspect of a library visit. As today's youth spend more and more time playing computer games, and less time reading, public libraries would be one step ahead of the game (no pun intended!) by bringing people what they want: youth will get hooked and keep comin' back for more (maybe even inspire someone to read a book!)

In academic libraries, maybe not all games would be as suitable in the same way they could be with children and young adult programming in a public libraries. However, virtual 'worlds' such as Second Life (and MMORPG games such as Battleground Europe - WWII Online) most definitely have a role to play encouraging and promoting teamwork, leadership, new learning styles and creating new social networks. Library staff should continue to try to reach patrons with all the new technological tools (for gaming and communication) that are becoming a staple in our culture and society (for the young and old alike!) The library of the future may "look" substantially different than 'the way it was', but if we can't offer the types of resources and services that appeal to the masses, I think we stand the chance of becoming antiquated and somewhat less appealing than at any time in the past.

Tam