Intriguing stuff, all this.
I seem to have set something off with my original query (rather hoped I would actually), and a lot of responses such as those below deal with the element which I shorthandedly described as 'sociological cans of worms', meaning issues like different perceptions by users and staff, at different ages, of what is good, bad, acceptable, 'worthwhile', appropriate etc etc etc.
Brief summary of 15 or so responses so far:
1. Nobody blocks games en masse.
2. Some block specific sites as and when deemed necessary.
3. Blocking doesn't work anyway - there's always another site round the corner.
4. Dealing with the 'problem' is an issue of behaviour management, both of users and, I would suggest, staff.
Keep the debate going - I think the issues (actual and potential) bear looking at, as it's the brave new world of libraries in microcosm.
Thanks for your help anyway - it's given me some useful ammunition.
Hugh
-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Heywood [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 09 June 2005 12:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Online games
And paperback books, which "aren't proper books". (-:
This thread raises interesting questions about how we manage interactive cultural activities in our libraries, and even whether we can, or should, manage them at all in an electronic world. Traditional activities have tended to place the mass of library customers in the rôles of reader or audience; it will be interesting to see how libraries evolve to support interactivity, which has generally just been the preserve of children's school holiday events.
It's also worth pointing out that online gaming is popular amongst people who have long since left school (and appalling behaviour isn't solely the preserve of the young).
Steven
Steven Heywood
Systems Manager
Rochdale Library Service
Wheatsheaf Library
Baillie Street
Rochdale OL16 1JZ
Tel: (01706) 864967
[log in to unmask]
http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/libraries
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Clarke [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 09 June 2005 10:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Online games
This is interesting - the other parallel is with graphic novels which, when we first started introducing them in the early 90s were regarded as the devil's work by some of the crustier professionals. I think we've actually got to start liking our users instead of regarding them as a threat.
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Andrew Lewis
Sent: 09 June 2005 09:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Online games
Dear All,
I am glad to hear that most people here can see that behaviour is the challenge, not the games.
Computer games are an established and distinct cultural medium as important as cinema, or dare I say it the novel. I think we would be churlish not to accept that as a given. How we manage this medium is the issue, and requires serious thought.
I am in the process of doing a literature review of computer games technology and its potential use for service development in public libraries. This will be published later in the year, but in the meantime, you could do worse than look at the Nesta FutureLab or UltraLab websites for their literature reviews on these topics.
<http://www.nestafuturelab.org/research/reviews/08_01.htm> Kirriemuir John and McFarlane Angela. Literature Review in Games and Learning.
<http://www.nestafuturelab.org/research/reviews/08_01.htm>
Nesta Futurelab Series: literature review number 8.
2004.
<http://www.nestafuturelab.org/research/reviews/08_01.htm>
Available at:
<http://www.nestafuturelab.org/research/reviews/08_01.htm>
http://www.nestafuturelab.org/research/reviews/08_01.htm
<http://www.nestafuturelab.org/research/reviews/08_01.htm>
Accessed: 12/04/2005
Mitchell, Alice and Savill-Smith, Carol. The use of computer and video games for
learning. A review of the literature.
ULTRALAB report for the Learning and Skills
Development Agency. 2004
Available at:
http://www.lsda.org.uk/files/PDF/1529.pdf
Accessed: 12/04/2005
A key recurring finding in the literature is that people tend to polarise into for or against games as all good or all bad. This is true to some extent even in the research.
Banning games will have no positive effect, but reinforce the concept that libraries are against the culture of a large part of their customers. (i.e. holier than thou). Computer games require and develop advanced strategic thinking skills, and the ability to read would you believe!
All this reminds me of when I used to take books from mobile libraries to very elderly people who were housebound or in care homes. Many of the older ladies used to say that when they were young, their parents used to physically punish them if they were caught reading, as it was seen as a frivolous waste of time. For us to treat games as just bad is no different. We need to understand them and consider the uses and limitations of this medium for our services.
Andrew Lewis
e-Services Officer
Library and Information Services
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
01628 796 592
HYPERLINK "mailto:[log in to unmask]"[log in to unmask]
HYPERLINK "http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/libraries"www.rbwm.gov.uk/libraries
-----Original Message-----
From: Paton, Hugh [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 June 2005 14:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Online games
(Apologies for cross-posting)
Online games - A (degenerate, hoodie-wearers, addictive) curse or a (horizon-expanding, educationally beneficial [in a convoluted way], diversionary [to quote an Impact Measure]) blessing? - Discuss
Seriously, we are finding online gaming to be a very popular pastime among young people, pulling them into the libraries in (relative) droves. Trouble is, the kids occupy terminals for ages, make a noise and get stroppy when their time is up (nothing new there then), and we are getting complaints from other users, staff and even parents. There are all sorts of sociological cans of worms going on here.
Does anyone have a 'policy' on gaming, i.e. something written or otherwise formally laid out, rather than an ad hoc approach?
Have you tried blocking gaming sites, either partially or totally? Successfully?
We currently allow games and have not (yet) blocked them, partly because of some sites being multi-purpose, with more than just gaming accessible via them (e.g. email, chat) and consequent risk of disposing of baby with bathwater.
If there's enough interest, I'll summarise for the list.
Thanks,
Hugh Paton
Library Development Manager - Bexley Council
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