Gaming in the Library?

This idea has come up a few times at work. I am of course “pro-gaming” but I wondered what is consensus out there of this building? Well using my well-honed mad research skills came up with the following.

• The average age of a gamer is 33.  Most libraries collect resources on various topic, such as knitting and golfing.  Why not gaming?
• With the invention and popularity of more low graphics, easy to understand games like the Wii, there will be more gamers of different ages. Its becoming popular in retirement homes.

One source I found made the following claim about gamers:

• See themselves as a hero on a quest
• Willing to experiment and keep trying – like to fix things
• Willing to seek expertise and ask for help – also
• willing to share expertise and help “noobs”
• Desire to collaborate – team players
• Learn from their mistakes and can adapt quickly
• Thrive on fast decision-making – good at prioritizing
• Willing to take risks
• Very good at multitasking and continuous partial attention

Not sure if I agree with the generalization and it depends on the type of game but I can accept it. Now how can it be incorporated into the library?  Do games even belong in a Library?

This is a Library, Not an Arcade, and Other Entirely Artificial Distinctions
“WHY? For the love of dear old Melvil Dewey, why would we take our
hallowed houses of learning and sully them with these vile, prurient,
mind-rotting entertainments? Well, it’s a fair question, so long as you
remember that they were saying exactly the same thing about Pride and
Prejudice not that long ago. Minus the Dewey part, of course.”
– Eli Neiburger, forthcoming book about gaming in libraries

Often, a library already has  a storytime, knitting clubs, book discussion groups, is it that far off to have a gaming section?  How about games that promote literacy?  One South Carolina county has 30% illiteracy rate, a 15% unemployment rate, a poverty level exceeding 30% with up to 90% of school kids eligible for free or reduced-rate lunches, and a meager 2% rate for library card registration.  a new library opened its doors on  May 13, 2006, the library is a reader’s haven” full of books, natural light, and comfortable chairs, it is a gamer’s heaven with 10 Xbox 360s, 8 dedicated Dell Dimension 9150 gaming PCs, an auditorium with a 120”screen and surround sound, and more. That’s an intense concentration of high tech in a place with only 7000 residents.

This library set up different levels of  gaming access in order to lure the kids into literacy and reading

Level one: Any individual can use the games for two hours/week
Level two: Extra gaming time is earned by joining the Gaming Club.
Joining requires:

• a current library card
• good standing (no serious misbehavior)
• a commitment to checking out four items/month, two of which must be books

Level three:

• Once in the Club, points are accumulated to be eligible for additional gaming time, group gaming parties, special prizes (headphones, memory units, gift certificates), or use of the conference room with the 46″ TV.

Points are earned by doing at least one of the following:

• writing book reports
• attending an after-school program
• participating in a youth service organization
• embracing other positive, self-improvement activities

This seems to be working pretty well for them.  At least for a public library, the first step is to get people in the door.  Why not use games as an enticement?