Ela Library adds video games to collection

With short attention spans and a world revolving around iPods, music sharing, instant messaging and various online and digital entrapments, capturing the eye of an elusive teen population has never been tougher.

Increasingly, public libraries that have tried everything in the book to attract young adults are realizing books aren't enough.

Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich is the latest to embrace a new trend of adding video games to its traditional collections in an attempt to lure teens.

The video games are on display now but will not be available for patrons to check out until Oct. 1.

"It will hopefully appeal to a segment of the population that sort of drops off from libraries and doesn't come because they don't think we have anything to offer them," library executive director Mary Beth Campe said.

So far, it has purchased 60 video games for popular consoles such as PlayStation2, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. That's just the beginning.

"We won't have thousands right away," Campe said. "It's going to be a collection that is going to have to be built over the next couple of years. I'm sure we're going to get an overwhelming response."

Libraries that have incorporated video games into programming can attest to the appeal.

Grayslake Area Public Library began hosting Local Area Network or LAN parties more than a year ago. Teens bring in their own video games and desktop PCs with network cards and play against each other in a group.

Attendance has varied from 12 to 17 youths at an event, said John Strott, adult services librarian.

"It's a very specific niche and probably a lot of those teens are not traditional library users, but hopefully they'll start to think of this," Strott said. "Usually, what the teens express is that they are really happy that we've tried something like this for them."

Suburban libraries are getting creative in trying to attract the teen market.

Ideas have ranged from a teen area with a sports theme at Schaumburg Township District Library to Japanese animation at Antioch Public Library.

Some libraries take gaming a step further and offer tournaments, said Sarah Long, North Suburban Library System director.

"Information, learning, education and recreation comes in many forms," Long said. "And I think libraries are doing the right thing in acquiring what their constituents are interested in. Libraries are wise to do that because these are future taxpayers."

Campe hopes to someday host video gaming tournaments at the Ela library.

Initially, the collection will include video games for teens and children, but Campe expects interest from some adults.

The Ela library has added other teen-centered programs such as the popular "Guitar Hero" video games. Soon it will add a collection of 'zines, homemade magazines on specific subjects such as artwork and poetry.

While teens check out these new features, perhaps they may just grab a book, Campe said.

"They might decide that the library isn't such a bad place to be," she said.