Group: Young Adult Round Table (YART)  
RSS
Threads [ Previous | Next ]
RE: Gaming for Teens
Showing 5 results.
Gaming for Teens
Tags: games gaming gaming in the library gaming policy teen librarianship teen programming teen services video gaming
2:48 PM EDT 3/19/09
*crossposted to the Listserv. . .

Firstly, a big thank-you to everyone who helped me find YART on WebJunction!

My question concerns the gaming discussion from this morning's meeting and I was mulling it around a bit in my head. . . those libraries who offer regular gaming to teens and have T-rated games available (Rock Band, for example) how do you handle age limits on those games? Do you make it a 13-and-up events? How to verify age without being too heavy-handed, if you verify at all?

Also, which games are among your more popular ones?

Thanks so much for picking up the discussion!

Melanie
RE: Gaming for Teens
3:04 PM EDT 3/20/09 as a reply to Melanie Makin.
I have found that games that allow free play without having tournament competition have worked best with my library, though, I think that might be unique. The teens I have participating seem to want to just play ... not necessarily for prizes or to see who is the best in any one game. They just don't really have an opportunity to play with 20-odd other kids in their living rooms at home.

As for what is the most popular, MarioKart is easily the tops here, the Super Mario Brawl and Mario and Sonic Olympics game easily following up quickly from there. A lot of kids bring games from home to share so we have also had them playing American Idol and a few other games. The big thing seems to be able to have four people playing at any one time.

Aaron
RE: Gaming for Teens
3:26 PM EDT 3/20/09 as a reply to Melanie Makin.
At Cranston: At Teen gaming programs we consider anyone in grade 6+ "teens". We don't check ages. For Tween programs, we don't offer anything over E. Faves here are Super Smash Brothers Brawl (T), Mario Kart (E), and Guitar Hero (T). On a related note, we also show (licensed) PG movies occasionally at our family movie events. The MPAA rating -- it the reasons for it -- are provided on promotional materials.
RE: Gaming for Teens
9:55 AM EDT 4/14/09 as a reply to Melanie Makin.
Thanks for all the suggestions! We got our Wii on Saturday and since it required no adapters or special equipment, it's ready to go! Do any other libraries have rules (written or otherwise) established to make sure everyone gets turns and your systems don't get monopolized?

Thanks!

Melanie
RE: Gaming for Teens
11:40 AM EDT 4/14/09 as a reply to Melanie Makin.
To be honest, I don't even really have to provide a ton of supervision in that area. I do stay in the room, but they have been great about taking turns and switching off on their own. I usually have two sets of Wiis going, though. The library's with the projector, and mine from home on our A/V TV.

I would see how it goes before implementing a policy. I know that a big thing is the participants seem to enjoy being the audience cheering others on. Since it is in the After-school Center, they also have access to computers, games, and other things to keep them busy (even homework, which they actually DO!) while they are waiting for their next turn.

Aaron