"Ask youth what they want and be ready to respond!"

~Jennifer R. Nelson
Hennepin County Public Library
Minneapolis, MN

Game On! Open Gaming

Hennepin County Library, MN

Hennepin County is a large urban/suburban public library system that includes the city of Minneapolis, MN, serving 1.1 million users. Largely, the request for console-based gaming came directly from youth (teen action groups). Once money was found, it was easy to fit in youth programming.

The goals of the program were to establish libraries as relevant to youth by meeting them where they are at in their social, recreational, and developmental processes; to provide safe space/activities for youth to engage with one another; to provide youth opportunities for meaningful involvement in developing leadership skills by running gaming programs; and to provide a structured activity for youth who are already present in the libraries.

Console gaming is a low cost, high return program. The programs don't make a tremendous amount of additional work for staff. In many locations, hordes of youth were present, and staff/admin were more than willing to add gaming as a way to keep the kids occupied.

Console based gaming may not be a hit in all locations; in some areas the kids have plenty of opportunities outside the libraries and don't want the constraints imposed by libraries (i.e. time limits, sharing, limiting game by ratings). Set program goals first, and then determine--with patron input--what kind of gaming program to offer.

Running the Program

Over the last 3 years the library system has purchased board games, videogame consoles, televisions, computers, projection equipment, and a wide range of games. These are housed at many locations.

Several libraries have their own equipment and games. Available consoles include PS2, Wii, Xbox 360 and GameCube. Games owned by individual libraries include DDR, Guitar Hero and Scene It for PS2, Wii games include Wii Sports, Wii Play, Bowling Pinbusters, Zero Gravity, Mario Strikers, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Events.

There are four sets of equipment housed at regional resource libraries that are available for reservation and check out by libraries within the resource group. The library system maintains an online booking and reservation system for these sets. Borrowing libraries are responsible for pick up and return of equipment. The consoles available are Wii and PS2.

Available games include different versions of Guitar Hero and DDR for PS2 and Wii games include Super Monkey Ball, Wii Sports, Wario Ware Smooth Moves, Rayman Raving Rabbids, and Mario Party 8.

Three locations house circulating game collections for PS2, GameCube, Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles. At several locations teen advisory groups were involved in the selection and acquisition of the consoles and games. Teens also plan and run gaming activities at many locations on a regular basis.

Several libraries offer weekly “Game On” programs that offer chances to use board and video games. Some libraries offer tournaments on a periodic basis.

More recently libraries have begun to offer intergenerational programs and mobilized youth to introduce console based gaming to older adults.

The library has a Gaming and Teens staff work group that provides guidance and support to libraries offering gaming

Marketing

Console gaming is marketed at youth 12-18, and adults ages 55+, via the library website and MySpace page, posters inside library and in the community, flyers and email newsletters, word of mouth, and 'game talking' at other youth programs.

During events, youth and adults played video and board games. Conversation was side-by-side with competition. Intergenerational programming using Wiis specifically has helped to foster relationships between elders and youth.

Facility

Hennepin County made use of space available and make programs fit the space. Most branches have a conference or meeting room that can fit at least 10 and can be used for console-based gaming. Board games were offered right in the library.

Literacy Connections

Gaming programs at the library offer opportunities for youth and adults to develop 21st century skills and to enhance visual and media literacy. The games require players to think critically about what information they need to succeed in the game. The players sought out print and visual information and worked with their peers to evaluate the information in order to create new knowledge, and new strategies, to be successful.

Once these conclusions and strategies were reached, players worked to communicate this knowledge with both existing peer groups and new communities. Heavily involved participants determined effective communication mediums (MySpace) to share and collaborate their new knowledge and experiences.

Impact

The total number of participants ranged from 4-5 to 20+, with more guys than girls as a general rule.

Participation in planning and conducting gaming activity was a leadership opportunity for youth, which makes it easy to talk about as a rich youth development program (in addition to being entertaining). Youth became actively engaged in positive activities while in libraries, and felt welcome in the library environment. Attendance and repeat attendance were measures of success. The impact of the program was that youth focused and were engaged in programs, and then returned for other library activities.

Funding

Funding for consoles and games has come from several sources including local Friends Groups. Staff aren't paid extra or substituted behind for most gaming programs, staff costs are absorbed as operating expenses.

Resources

For more information, contact Jennifer Nelson at jrnelson@hclib.org.

Hennepin County Library MySpace page