Let's Play:
Libraries, Games & the Future
Cliff Landis,Technology LibrarianValdosta State Universityhttp://clifflandis.net/
North Georgia Associated Libraries01/13/2009
I never realized just how much I play games...
The Speaking Game:
The Presentation Game!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/2561147303/
Objectives
Make 'em laugh.
Make 'em learn.
Rules
Don't piss 'em off too bad.
Don't go over-time.
You win:
Someone says they liked your talk and they learned something.
You lose:
You are fed to the sharks.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/orrinjcl/1448639124
What do libraries do?
We collect, organize, and provide access to the cumulative knowledge and culture of humanity.
(no small task...)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/84152687@N00/741879088
How do we do that?
We provide access to ALL forms of recorded knowledge and culture (a.k.a. media)
(... would you like LOTR the book, audiobook, soundtrack, VHS, DVD, or PC game???)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54447069@N00/29591405
GAMES!
One more thing to collect? Yes, please...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64174165@N00/10366416
The Perfect Library?
The Central Prison Library, Budapest, where nothing is ever checked out especially the patrons!
(...what do you mean librarians have control issues???)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16812179@N00/159922181
It is a game, right?
Well, it depends on your point of view. In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the job, and SNAP, the job's a game!
(please don't sue me, Disney...)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16057786@N00/2768445317
So what is a game?
a contest with rules to determine a winner; "you need four people to play this game"
an amusement or pastime; "they played word games"; "he thought of his painting as a game that filled his empty time"; "his life was all fun and games"
the game equipment needed in order to play a particular game; "the child received several games for his birthday"
your occupation or line of work; "he's in the plumbing game"; "she's in show biz"
frivolous or trifling behavior; "for actors, memorizing lines is no game"; "for him, life is all fun and games"
willing to face danger
Which group would you put them in?
Zero-sum
You either win or lose (Monopoly)
Non-zero-sum
More than one player can win through cooperation (The Sims)
Hide and Go Seek ScrabbleWii FitDrivingMusicPulitzer PrizeTagSpin the bottle
PokerLoveEnlightenmentUnoStock MarketFamilyLifeLibraries
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/robert_wright_on_optimism.html
Gaming can save the world - - free rice
The Social Norms Game!
Break a social norm in an amusing way...
Rules
Don't do anything dangerous.
Don't hurt anyone's feelings.
Don't do anything tasteless.
Make it fun/ny
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25178143@N04/2806732540
Gaming happens naturally in libraries b/c libraries are made of people (not books)
And it's not just me....
Flashmob: A flash mob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruEMaDZWRcs
It's all about PLAY...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62722321@N00/172439911
AACR2 are rules to a puzzle...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7262596@N08/2207748365
Reference is a scavenger hunt...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12426416@N00/1721982928
Speaking of Scavenger Hunts...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAWzGb-U6MQ
Gaming is happening organically in libraries because libraries are made of people.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11831132@N00/33929214
What are libraries doing?
Providing a space (both physically and online) to explore the collected knowledge and culture of humanity
Playing to Learn
The Hole in the Wall Experiment
Children 6-13 y.o. in groups can self-instruct.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/sugata_mitra_shows_how_kids_teach_themselves.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11357767@N00/2073557360
Playing to Teach Library Skillz
http://www.library.cmu.edu/Libraries/etc/game1/game1.swf
Playing with Reality
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30032901@N00/2310386138
Playing to Socialize
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43017881@N00/2997892929
Playing to Save the World
http://www.freerice.com/
Some Principles of Library 2.0
The library is everywhere.
The library has no barriers.
The library invites participation.
The library encourages the heart.
The library is human.
The library recognizes that its users are human too.
Harness the library user in both design and implementation of services
Library users should be able to craft and modify library provided services
http://tametheweb.com/2005/12/the_collected_principles_of_li.html
Game On!
Further Reading:
Library Success Wiki: Gaming Resources
Gaming and Libraries: Intersection of Services by Jenny Levine (Library Technology Reports)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43017881@N00/365741468
Questions?
clifflandis@ clifflandis.net