Communities

Breaking Boundariesthrough Games

A Case of Scholarship in Action

Scott NicholsonAssociate Professor

@snicholson

2006 Survey

400 public libraries (96% response rate)

75% used games in some way

40% ran gaming programs

Library Gaming Census

Goal: gain more understanding of library gaming

Goals for gaming programs To attract an underserved group of users to the

library To increase the library's role as a community hub To provide an additional service for a group of active

library users

Goals of Library Gaming Programs

• To attract an underserved group of users to the library (35%)

• To increase the library's role as a community hub (19%)

• To provide an additional service for a group of active library users (17%)

• To provide a source of entertainment for members of the community (10%)

Outcomes of Library Gaming Program

The reputation of the library improved with participants. (78%)

Users attended the gaming program and returned to the library another time for non-gaming services. (76%)

Users attended the event with friends and improved their social connections with those friends. (73%)

Users attended the gaming program and also used other library services while there. (68%)

Users improved their social connections with other previously unknown members of the community.

(66%)

Building Community

http://www.tampabay.com/news/aging/seniors-join-teens-in-enthusiasm-for-wii-virtual-gaming/1011031

Gaming in Libraries YouTube Class

MOOC before MOOCs (2009) Truly Open (and still available)

Outcome from Course

One-third said that

“I am not at a library, but I am going to contact one and volunteer my time.”

http://becauseplaymatters.com

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Corridor

Creating transformative games and play for informal learning environments

GDG Basics Community group that happens to

have students

Friday night monthly meet (parking!)

Game demonstration

Formal program – bring in outside organization

Group brainstorm

Informal game testing and play

What we don’t do

Fort Stanwix

“Help people understand what went on here.”

Stories from Stanwix

Community College Library

“We want some kind of an orientation activity.”

Ghost Hunters

MOST Science Museum

“How can we be more relevant to teens?”

MOST Science Museum

Dinosaurs at the Liverpool Public Library

“We want to make Candy Land.”


“We want to make Candy Land.”

Everson Museum of Art

Beyond Monopoly

Family Game Jam

Everson Game Jam

Empowering your Community

What is something you do inside your school

walls that could be done by community

members?

To learn more…

Because Play Matters game lab:http://becauseplaymatters.com

Games in Libraries course:http://gamesinlibraries.org

[email protected]

http://becauseplaymatters.com/

http://gamesinlibraries.org/

Communities

Education

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