I like Video Games, I just don't like paying for them

Having the privelge this summer to attend Gen-Con with a few other members of the library has already significantly shaped my perspective on games in libraries: I like them. Table top games are fun and putting them in libraries for circulation is a recipe for fun. There are a lot of worries about losing pieces and missing parts, but at Gen-Con Brian Mayer (at least I think it was him, I might be wrong though) said that game companies have thousands upon thousands of these piece that you can get to replace lost pieces, and you usually can get these for pretty cheap.

I'm a bit more cautious about circulating videogames. I have no problem with putting videogames in the library, my caution comes from, which consol do we support? There are the three biggies out there, playstation, wii, and xbox, along with computer games, so what should we collect in? If the decision is made to support only one then an automatic judgement is made for what is deemed valuable, and the other supported formats are left out. Fortunately, newer systems have ever increasing backwards compatibility, so there isn't a huge problem of formats going out of style.

I think gaming programs at the library would be met with enthusiasm from the attendees and indifference from other people. I don't think that there would be an outcry of resistence from worried parents.

I have never experienced gaming in a public library, but I have experienced game nights in a high school setting. They were wildly popular and incorporated both table top games, video games, and physical games, such as basketball. They were popular because they had something for everyone. The video games were displayed through a projector, and there was free food.

I do not agree that video games or table-top games are necessary in the library to ensure that teens will continue to support the library. But I don't think it could hurt. What is necessary is to create positive experiences for our future population of tax paying adults. If gaming events can contribute to this, then why not? It really wouldn't hurt, it would bring people together for the purpose of fun, and it creates a memory. Memories create value, value creates support. So, while I don't think it is the only way to continue support, I think it is an effective way to continue support.