ALA Gaming News Blog!

Game On: Games in Libraries was created in 2005 as a supplement to the Google LibGaming email group, a forum for discussion of gaming in libraries. Thanks to our contributors, who included Kelly Czarnecki, Matt Gullett, John Scalzo, and Jami Schwarzwalder.

I've been invited to blog for ALA; please visit http://gaming.ala.org/news for news about all types of gaming in all types of libraries.

Thanks for reading!

Beth G.

Second Skin

"Second Skin is a documentary that takes an intimate look at people whose lives have become transformed by virtual worlds."

Blue Book: A Consumer Guide to Virtual Worlds

"The Association of Virtual Worlds has just released its new title The Blue Book: A Consumer Guide to Virtual Worlds listing over 250 virtual worlds and is pleased to offer it free to anyone who is interested in the rapidly growing field of virtual worlds. The Blue Book contains over 250 virtual worlds. Each world is listed alphabetically and includes a web address and brief description. In addition each world is classified as to whether it is live or in development, whether it is appropriate for kids, tweens, teens, or adults; and type of virtual environment it is, for example, a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game), a social network, a mobile application or a custom world."

AASL Standards align with Gaming

April 2008, Genesee Valley BOCES
"The new AASL standards are very supportive of the ideas and skills that make up gaming as can be seen in the gaming alignment below. This document, created by the member libraries of the School Library System of Genesee Valley BOCES provides support for the use of games as a learning resource in school libraries."

gaming @ your library 2008

"During National Library Week, libraries of all types will host special gaming programs in support of a new literacy initiative called gaming @ your library."

Check out ALA's new page!

LibGaming-ALA Merger Results

Thanks for participating in the survey the was posted here. 47% would like the blog merged, 53% do not.

Inanimate Alice

"Inanimate Alice' tells the story of Alice, a young girl growing up in the first half of the 21st century, and her imaginary digital friend, Brad. Over ten episodes, each a self contained story, we see Alice grow from an eight year old living with her parents in a remote region of Northern China to a talented mid-twenties animator and designer with the biggest games company in the world."
View Joyce Valenza's blog post on School Library Journal for more information.

Grand Theft Childhood?

With the release of Grand Theft Auto VI on the horizon, Terry Bosky of Game Couch interviews Dr. Cheryl Olson, co-author of Grand Theft Childhood? The Suprising Truth About Violent Video Games, to determine what parents, educators and policymakers need to know about the controversial video games and how their children use them.

Read the full interview at:
http://www.gamecouch.com/2008/02/interview-dr-cheryl-olson-co-author-of-grand-theft-childhood/

2008 Presidential Gaming Citations

2/11/08 by the American Library Association
"Gaming has been given the presidential seal at the American Library Association (ALA). And that means a chance for libraries to shine a spotlight on their gaming programs."