In a bid to lure in more young patrons, the Toronto Public Library is looking for funding that would back a videogame collection.
The library is seeking $300,000 in funds for the project reports The Star, and hopes to eventually offer around 150 titles for checkout across 38 branch locations. Of course the initiative raises the question of what type of games would be stocked; should it be strictly family-friendly fare or should the library also offer more adult-oriented games?
Bruce Ballon, head of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, told the paper, “The libraries have to really consider the social implications of what they’re offering. It could be great ... It’s just making sure it’s done in a healthy way.”
A library spokesperson cautioned that, for now, stocking videogames is just an idea, and “not yet reality.”
The library also hopes to host game nights (or game programs), where people can gather to take part in playing games in a social setting.
The article notes that a similar videogame lending program launched in Guilderland, NY eventually saw the number of books checked out by teenagers jump 20.0 percent.
Comments
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
The library also hopes to host game nights (or game programs), where people can gather to take part in playing games in a social setting.
This is what's called a game convention or game competitions.
I think it's an awesome idea! :) But I think they should have a variety of games available & the rules for age restriction would be the same as if buying them from a GameStop. Only people are renting them.
Bruce Ballon, head of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, told the paper, “The libraries have to really consider the social implications of what they’re offering. It could be great ... It’s just making sure it’s done in a healthy way.”
If for some reason they did get the $300,000 to stock up on video games, & IF the Toronto Library only stocked up on family oriented games, since they would be the only ones available. Then I would NOT get those video games for rent. In my opinion they would make me go crazy! Going crazy is NOT healthy. That's when they would want me to take the m&m colored pills. If it's Sonic or Mario or PacMan or FPS or TPS or RPG games, then yeah I'm all for it to rent them!
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Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
Woah, never knew they were planning on doing this. This is awesome, as their's a toronto public library right near where I live. I would defenitely take them up on this service. I hope they would be able to get new titles as well, not just old videogames.
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
The libraries here in Idaho already stock video games. Not many PC games, but there are over 200 Wii games, as well as playstation, playstation 2, X-box, X-box 360 and PS 3 games. If a conservative republican state with the motto, "Famous Potatos", can stock video games in its library, there is no reason they shouldn't be stocked most everywhere.
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
In denmark, libraries already stock games.
A quick check tells me there's ~2300 pc games available, but that' not all; Xbox, xbox 360, ps2/3, wii and nintendo DS games are also made available.
The ~2300 is a combined number from all libraries in the country, so obviously the local library won't carry all titles.
To help this, we can order stuff we want from other libraries, free of charge. There's even a webpage to make things easy. (http://bibliotek.dk/ava.php - If you're interested in the what's avalable, just scroll down and select a catagory in "materialetype" to limit the search)
No porn games (as far as i'm aware at least), but they make pretty much everything else available.
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
I wish they'd started these kinds of programs a decade ago. I know lots of people who would love to check out old 16-bit generation games so they wouldn't have to resort to ROM files, for instance. (It consistently confounds me that nobody makes the "someone might want to play these games in ten years" argument when these programs show up, choosing only to focus on the marketable aspect.)
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Fangamer
Fangamer
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
Indeed. honestly, I love ROM files as they allow one to experience a dead franchise.
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
From the Star:
"Toronto, like Pickering, would provide games for all ages, Pyper said, although youths won’t be allowed to check out adult-rated discs."
Why not? Can't those same youths checkout any Clive Barker book they like?
Andrew Eisen
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
Not necessarily; libraries here in Ottawa have two different levels for youth and adult checkouts, and kids can get adult-level cards with permission from their parents or guardians. It's a very straightforward system and I wouldn't be surprised if they had it in Toronto as well.
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Fangamer
Fangamer
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
I want your libraries in the states. seriously, that sounds absolutely awesome.
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
Same as it is here in Brandon Manitoba. Although my daughter isn't old enough to go to the library alone yet, when she is her card wont let her check out anything "adult".
However there's nothing stopping her from reading it right there at the library.....
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
Interesting. Certainly not the way it is in California and Arizona.
Andrew Eisen
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
"Of course the initiative raises the question of what type of games would be stocked; should it be strictly family-friendly fare or should the library also offer more adult-oriented games?"
It should stock a variety of games, as it does with books.
Andrew Eisen
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
And movies. I have seen a number of movies at the library that I would not consider "family-friendly"
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Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
Agreed to both. I think my first adult-themed with sex, nudity, etc. film I saw which wasn't porn actually came from the library. If it is to act as a repository of our culture, then it should be of the whole. (I think they even store Playboys)
Re: Toronto Public Library May Add Games to Lending ...
Never saw a public library with Playboys, but I agree with the point. Very few books are kept out of a library because of content, so games should be treated the same way. Enforce the ratings if you feel the need, but don't restrict them outright solely on the basis of content.
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