Library sets aside space just for teen gamers
Think about libraries and the same old scenes always come to mind: students poring over thick volumes, patrons perusing aisles full of books, teens jamming to rock music on plastic guitars…
Wait, what?
Yep. Video games are about to take center stage as Naperville Public Library sponsors its first Gamefest during Teen Tech Week 2008.
"When I was a kid, the library was a quiet sort of place where everyone spoke in hushed tones," program coordinator Mary Bannon said. "We've kind of really pushed the envelope in the last five or six years. We've introduced so much more programming that really had not been traditional."
Gamefest was initiated in response to surveys taken at the first TTW last year. Teens who responded to the survey suggested, among other things, that the library provide places to play video games.
As a result, this year's TTW -- which begins Sunday and continues through March 8 -- will include three days devoted to video game activities.
"Having gaming in the library is like a pilot," Bannon said. "The hope is, if everything goes well, that we can continue to somehow set aside times just for teens to come in for gaming, to honor them as a group."
Other Chicago-area libraries successfully have introduced video gaming in their programs, Bannon said, and Naperville expects to be no different.
"This is part of a teenager's life," Bannon said. "We want to recognize that there is a need for it … Even if kids don't have the resources at home … they can come here and use (the games)."
A Dance Dance Revolution Tournament will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday in Meeting Room A at the 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive.
DDR is a music video game played on a dance pad. Gamers tap their feet in time with the song, synchronizing their steps with arrows that scroll along the TV screen.
A Guitar Hero Tournament will be Thursday at the same time and place. Guitar Hero is like DDR, but instead of moving their feet to score points, gamers play an imitation guitar while the screen shows them which notes to hit.
Lessons will be provided so anyone can compete and a large screen will display games as they are played so spectators can watch and learn.
A third event, the Teen Game Room, invites patrons to play single- and multi-player computer games from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
At that time, the Quiet Computer Labs at the 95th Street Library and Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave., will be open to gamers, who can bring their own games or play online.
On other days throughout TTW, library customers will be invited to discover and explore aspects of the library that don't involve books.
"In the past, you think of a lecture or a slide show… something relatively quiet and not particularly interactive," Bannon said. "Now, we see libraries in a whole new light."
For example, the library provides online homework help. Fifth-graders through college freshmen can log on to chat live with real tutors between 4 and 9 p.m.
The library Web site allows patrons to search for and put holds on books 24 hours a day.
And soon, the library may provide video games regularly.
Officials hope teens will become more aware of the other technological programs the library has to offer during TTW.
"We're trying to open our doors for teens," Bannon said. "We're saying, 'We value you as a (part) of our community and we want to offer services to all of our patrons.' "
GameStop gift cards will be awarded to winners of the DDR and Guitar Hero tournaments. A valid Naperville Public Library card is necessary to participate in any video or computer games.