Advocacy
Starting a library program involving games and gaming is not always easy. Libraries are for books...not games. Right? Right?! Maybe one day, there will not be a need to advocate for games in the library but that day is not here yet. Fortunately, games are the "in" thing these days. It is a trending topic:
It's in the news!
It's being discussed in board meetings!
And our professional organizations are getting behind gaming in libraries!
Still, gaming (especially video gaming) can be expensive. It is crucial to show supporters of the library such as Friends of the Library groups and board members the importance of gaming in libraries. Here are a few tips:
- Invite the supporters of the library to the gaming activities.
- Share hard data (statistics) and soft data (stories from happy program participants) with board members.
- Share/trade gaming materials with other libraries to cut down expense or encourage patrons to pool resources from home to start small tournaments at the library.
- Tell your local media about gaming events! TV and radio stations can do free promotions for your library and a trail of positive media attention is harder to ignore than a book full of high circulation statistics.
- Make staff play the games. Gaming is something everyone has to experience to "get it". Staff training and education is a must.
- Let detractors know your competencies as a librarian. Encouraging young people to do creative problem solving, increasing literacies, and community building are all important aspects of our job as a librarian.
- Good attendance is a sure-fire way to get funding and support. Talk to local schools, promote Game Nights with your Teen Advisory Board and partner with local gaming stores and groups.
