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