GLL: Implementing Gaming

Implementing Gaming Applications in Libraries—Eli from Ann Arbor

idea: DDR birthday party at the library ooooh


Gaming--expensive to get started, but then after that, it’s free or very low cost.
Prizes & publicity are paid for by AADL friends group

Sur-prize round… just before final round there’s a surprise 'classic' game.

4 prizes…
don’t specify which prize is which, let the 1st prize winner choose their preferred prize. They had somebody throw the game because they wanted the second place prize instead of the 1st place prize!

AADL offers “advance features” for cardholders, but no library card required to get on wireless network, so they can let anybody use the network to play on their wireless game device.

2 or 3 races before elminated.
At DDR make sure you have water available.

100+ kids, usually 4 tech staff + 2 teen librarians.
Have handled 40-50 people with one staff

Cheap ideas.
Find geeks in your community and get them to help.
Have attendees bring own equipment.
Partner with Gameopolis? Or Lansing Youth Center? Youth Center has celebrity pool, why not a celebrity DDR or console game at the Library?

Selling to brass:
Makes the library a focus of their interests
Promotes core services to a tough audience
These teens & genxers don’t care about music—they had napster, itunes, etc, so CD collection doesn't draw them into the library
Fluorescent lights=school. Turn off the lights!

Provide informal feedback opportunities—like a blog


Bonus for clans—for each new player they bring in they get 100 points

eli [at] aadl [dot] org


tag: gaminginlibraries2005