Our local library blocks any gaming sites. You can't even read reviews!

The staff at the library I used to work at had their hands full just trying to keep people from stealing DVDs. (We're talking like forty a week gone at one point. Security wasn't anywhere near as good as commercial outlets like Blockbuster, and once people figured that out it just got worse and worse.) I doubt they'd be too keen on expanding into games for that reason alone. Also, the discs that didn't get stolen would get filthy within a month.

I like the idea in principle, though.

I'd really like to see legitimate numbers supporting the positive claim, because I really doubt that this will happen. The margins are still thin enough with films, and those are borrowed by citizens of all ages.

@ james >> you should fill out a comment card and tell them that it's censorship and you don't like it. Speak to the department head or even the library director.

@ tzu >> what measures are they doing to keep them from being stolen? One library in my area has it encased in a clear plastic box which will be removed when borrowed out. Another library removes the disks inside and you have to go to the desk to pick it up. All in all, it's really a shame to see these thefts.

Anyways - I like the idea of libraries offering video games but most of the kids it attracts are boys. What about the females? Even the tournaments they hold are targeted to the guys with FPS games.

Last I knew, the only thing they were doing was to try to monitor the DVD section more closely. I wish they had attached the security strips to them like they did with the books and CDs, but apparently those affected playback on some machines.

There wasn't any room to store DVDs behind the desk, because the building was poorly designed (you could toss items from the stairs to the hallway past the checkout counter, for one thing). They're getting a new building this year or the next, so maybe that'll fix some of the problems.

I actually have a slide and a section in my book about why a circulating game collection is not a good way to get gamers to use the library for many of the reasons outlined in these other comments. I think a circulating collection of games is a waste of time and money and will only underscore how much better blockbuster is than a public library at certain things.

Our gaming services are just events, and while many of our tournaments (most notably Super Smash Bros) attract a male-heavy crowd, other events, like DDR, attract much closed to a 50-50 mix. However, existing teen services at libraries are usually quite girl-heavy, so I don't worry too much about the boy-heavy attendance at my events.

Thanks for your comments!

My local library used to rent out video games (SNES & Genesis cartridges) back in the 90's. There was not a big collection, but I came across FFIV that way. It was pretty awesome now that I think about it.