Transcript Document 7240558

Get Your Game On:
Developing A Video Game
Collection for Children &
Teens
Presented by
Renee McGrath
[email protected]
Introduction
Renee McGrath
Nassau Library System
[email protected]
http://www.nassaulibrary.org/gaming/corecollection.ppt
www.delicious.com/nassaulibrary/gaming
Everyone Plays Games
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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
Games in Libraries:
Some Myths &
Realities
Adapted from Games in Libraries: Myths & Realities by Scott Nicholson,
The NYLA Bulletin, Fall 2008
Myth # 1
Games are new in libraries
 Chess
 Checkers
 Other board games
 Summer reading games
 Survivor/Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
 Others?
Myth #2
 Gaming
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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 gameplaying population (33%) than boys age 17 or
younger (18%).
The Entertainment Software Association, www.theesa.com/facts/index.asp
Myth #3
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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!
Myth #4
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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.
Some Interesting Facts and Where to Collect Them
The Entertainment Software Association
http://www.theesa.com
Some Interesting Facts from The
Entertainment Software Association
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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
children’s 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.
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The average age of the most frequent game purchaser is 40
years old.
WHY GAME COLLECTIONS AT THE
LIBRARY? BECAUSE …
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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
Collection Development
Game Policy Questions
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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?
Sample Video Game Policy
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Schwarzwalder,
Jami. “Video Game
Collection
Development
Policy.” Super
Mario Brothers
Memorial Public
Library. November
2005.
http://www.mbmpl.o
rg/vg/?page_id=6.
July 23, 2007.
Library Wikis: Best Practices
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Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki
http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Gaming
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ALA Gaming Wiki
http://gaming.ala.org/resources/index.php?title=Main_Page
Purchasing Games
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Library companies
– B&T, S&S Worldwide,
Thomas Kline/Crimson Multimedia
(http://www.crimsoninc.com/)
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Games stores
– Game Stop, EB Games, Game Crazy
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Retailers
– Amazon.com, Best Buy, Walmart
Game Reviews: Magazines
Game
Informer $19.98/yr,
http://www.gameinformer.com/
Nintendo
Power $19.95/yr
http://www.nintendopower.com/
Official
Xbox Magazine $14.95/yr
http://www.oxmonline.com/
PC
Gamer $19.95/yr
http://www.pcgamer.com/
PlayStation
Monthly (PSM) $10.00/yr
http://www.psmonline.com/
Game Reviews: Websites
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http://www.gamerankings.com
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http://www.gamespot.com/
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http://www.gamespy.com
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http://www.1Up.com
Family Friendly Review Sites
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Children's Technology Review
www.childrenssoftware.com
Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/
Edutaining Kids
www.edutainingkids.com/
Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
Gamer Dad
www.gamingwithchildren.com/
Parent's Choice
www.parents-choice.org/
Library Reviews & Articles
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SLJ’s The Gaming Life column
VOYA’s Get Your Game On column
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
ESRB Widget
Collection Management
Storage
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Choose secure storage
Display Style Shelving
Browsing bin/binder of titles with games
behind circ desk
Troubleshooting
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Clearly label
Collections are selfweeding
Games can be cleaned
with rubbing alcohol
Scratches can be
removed with cleaning
devices used for CDs &
DVDs
Theft
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Secure your collection
Build community
– Start with programs
– Start small
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Examine circulation policies
Build Community
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Picture of our
gaming bins with
consoles & games
Best Practices: Collections
Peninsula Public Library
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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)
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
Marketing Strategy
 Be
like a supermarket
Innovative Thinking
www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=13796
The Road Ahead is Not Easy
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Many will scoff
Getting approval may be difficult without
someone mentioning Grand Theft Auto!
Be strong and stand up for your kids.
Desired Results
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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
Stay informed!
www.delicious.com/nassaulibrary/gaming
Get Inspired!
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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 don’t have a leader to inspire me, I
will lead. If I don’t 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/?p=692
Henry V’s St. Crispen’s Day Speech
Thank you!
Happy Gaming!