Update on Upcoming Free Webinars on Video Game Collections

Hello again, colleagues!

I wanted to remind folks about an upcoming webinar opportunity that might be of value to you or others in your networks. On October 30th, from 10:00-11:00 am CST (11:00 am - 12:00 pm EST), the Indiana State Library will be hosting myself, Jenna Gilles (Youth Services Associate, Chippewa Falls Public Library, WI), and Jamie Hein (Library Director, Clintonville Public Library, WI), as we collaboratively present about selection and acquisition best practices for video game collection development.

We also now have information to share about part #2 in this webinar series, where we'll be presenting about the "nuts and bolts" of video game collection development — like implementing the materials in your library collections, displaying them, and maintaining them. The second webinar will be on December 11th, from 10:00-11:00 am CST (11:00 am - 12:00 pm EST).

This event is co-sponsored by the ALA's Games & Gaming Round Table. Info about both of the webinars below; share far and wide – and add them to your calendar, today!!

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Video Game Collections in Libraries, Pt. #1: The "Why", "What", and "How" of Selection & Acquisition

• Date & Time: Wednesday, October 30th, 10:00-11:00 am
• Link to Event/URL to Attend: https://isl.libcal.com/event/13140847
• Description:
• For years now, media usage data has shown that video games have led the entertainment industry by a massive margin, handily securing the crown as the most popular recreational medium on the planet. In the United States, 61% of Americans report playing video games for at least one hour every week; 29% of game players are 50 or older, and the average age of video gamers in the U.S. is 36, with a near-even split of 53% identifying as male, and 46% identifying as female.
  
  The point? These impressive statistics represent an enormous opportunity for libraries in the U.S. to capitalize on – and illustrate that librarians ought to prioritize intentionally developing robust video game collections for their users to access; game collections can meaningfully help libraries reach a broader base of patrons, create exceptional new pathways for materials circulation, resonate with additional user identities, and help foster a 'community of practice' surrounding games in the library space. On top of this, video game collections help libraries showcase an earnest desire to remain relevant, accessible, and cutting-edge to their public.
  
  In this first presentation in our series about video game collection development, you’ll hear from multiple librarians about the “why”, “what”, and “how” of video game selection and acquisition; we will highlight both philosophical and pragmatic best practices for developing video game collections – from advocacy data, to funding tips, to selection resources, to acquisition schedules, and more. A follow-up webinar in the series will focus on things like processing, borrowing rules, policy, and collection maintenance. You won’t want to miss these presentations!

Video Game Collections in Libraries, Pt. #2: Processing, Cataloging, Displaying, & 'Best Practices'

• Date & Time: Wednesday, December 11th, 10:00-11:00 am
• Link to Event/URL to Attend: https://isl.libcal.com/event/13276612
• Description:
• In part one of our Video Game Collections in Libraries webinar series, we discussed important considerations and helpful advice that a librarian would want to bear in mind when initially developing (or strengthening) a video game collection for their space; we showcased data that could be utilized to advocate for a robust game collection, offered budgeting tips for funding borrowable games, highlighted resources & tips to help with video game selection decisions (for novices and experts alike), weighed in about video game release & acquisition schedules, and even touched on the equity and accessibility benefits of offering said collections to your community.
  
  So - once you’ve acquired the games themselves for your collection… what then? Have no fear! In this second part of our series, we’ll return to tackle the functional, “nuts and bolts” methods and best practices of ongoing video game collection management. This webinar will delve into processing recommendations (like labeling, marking, & barcoding), cataloging considerations (e.g., how long should games’ checkout periods be?), displaying the collections to be browsable for patrons (where in the library? How should they be organized? Should you ‘care’ about ratings?), procedural standards for keeping your games ‘safe’ (and easily navigable for staff!) - and more. "
  
  We aim to illustrate that – with a bit of diligence and learning for staff and patrons alike – the ongoing facilitation of video game collections in libraries ought to be no more burdensome on day-to-day operations than offering any other collection, all while allowing libraries to better meet the needs of entirely new user groups – and increase circulation!

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These events will be recorded, and will eventually be uploaded as a resource to the Wisconsin Games + Learning + Libraries Cohort on WISELearn; that said, if you attend the event, you can take part in the last fifteen minutes' Q&A. 

Thanks so much for spreading the word; we look forward to sharing with you all!

~Chris

Chris Baker (he/him/his) Public Library Consultant, Games & Learning Consultant Library Services Team, Division of Libraries and Technology Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 201 West Washington Avenue | Madison WI 53703 608-264-6709 | chris.baker@dpi.wi.gov | dpi.wi.gov