game shopping

"Which console would you buy for an academic library?"

I hate shopping and, before this week, I’d barely played video games at all since my brother and I had an Odyssey PlayStation in the 80s. So, in real life, I would not hesitate to ask for all the help I could get from people who know better.

Here’s what I think I would do:

• First, I would try to get out of it. If that didn't work, I'd:
• Talk to gamers, especially the real nerds who follow the newest developments and own more than one console themselves
• Informally survey students to see what they play, what they like, what they'd want, etc.
  
• Play games – as many types as possible, including the scarey MMOPGs
  
• Go online and use search engines to find out more about how other libraries or public institutions are using games
• Talk to librarians who are doing it at Ann Arbor and elsewhere
  

I’d consider:

• The audience, which would mostly be undergrads -- but also staff (could be part of special events or "game days" in the staff lounge)
  
• Their need: they would be looking for diversion, socializing, and movement, NOT more sit-down “education” or "work"
  
• Negative vs. positive influences of a game's imagery (I know, the kids have seen it all, I just don’t want to be a part of the negative stuff)
• the library's mission statement: what do we hope would come out of it -- more than just "circulating books"?
• advertising -- there would need to be a clever way of inviting students via students (wouldn't need to advertise to staff beyond a sign and an e-mail)
  
• prices - I'm pretending there's a modest budget
  

After reading, playing around and doing some searching online this week, I think I'd treat it like an experiment: provide more than one option for events and reservation and see which work and which don't.

• Provide a nice space for the avid gamers to plug in and do their MMO thing
  
• Provide some free games that involve physical activity, like DANCE!online
  
• Put some money (less than $400) into a Wii console - it's versatile, involves moving around, includes non-bloody, cooperative games, and it looks cool.*

*Nintendo's environmental record is dismal but we could recycle the Coke cans to try to feel better about it.