Gamers Find Social Niche at Libraries

Gamers find social niche at libraries
by Dave Choate

Teens convene for night of fun and camaraderie

In their efforts to bring the community together, some area libraries are reaching out to teenagers through the medium of video games.

A pair of library directors on the Seacoast said their facilities have hosted events for gamers beginning last year. Both cited an opportunity for social interaction between teenagers as one of the idea's biggest draws, as well as increased interest in the libraries themselves.

Portsmouth Public Library Director Mary Ann List said library staff hatched the idea for gatherings centered around video games last year. By the time they were finished, she said close to a dozen teenagers were visiting the library on gaming days to interact with one another and jam out on the popular Guitar Hero video game.

"The very first motivation is trying to keep teens interested in the library," List said. "It's truly recreational and fun for the kids, but there's quite a bit of evidence that there's also learning being done."

List said her library's experiences with gaming has mirrored an interest nationwide, where libraries and other organizations seeking to reach out to teens have considered the use of electronics.

It helps that the Portsmouth Public Library is well positioned to attract teens due to its location next to the Portsmouth Middle School.

List said staff even took its show on the road to bring Guitar Hero over to Gosling Meadows on three separate occasions to play alongside kids there.

Best Buy helped to sponsor the evenings with its gaming equipment after staff there took an interest in the idea, List said.

York Public Library Director Robert Waldman said he considers the use of gaming as a program that fits in with the variety of interests the library plans for.

In addition to getting teens to participate, Waldman said staff members have seen some success in transferring their interest into borrowing books and learning more about the library.

Waldman said he sees value in having varied programming for all age groups, and that video games reach teenagers very well. It also fits in with the library's goal of giving community members space for activities they enjoy.

"We're a community, and we want to help our community," Waldman said.

The nights are hosted by the library and run by Janalee Moquin, a local parent whose 12-year-old son Orion is an avid gamer. She spoke with Waldman about including the after-hours program in the library's media room and has seen an average of more than a dozen interested gamers since the twice-monthly gaming night started up in November 2008.

She agreed with List and Waldman, saying the evenings give gamers a chance to leave home and talk and play games in an open space, thanks to the library. In addition, Moquin said it helps challenge perceptions of gamers as shut-ins.

"Gaming gets a bad rap," she said. "(Our gaming nights) are nice; it's very social."

The gaming nights are meant for kids 12 and up, Moquin said, and pizza and soda are ordered during the 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. sessions.

From Seacoast Online