Who’s playing now?

  The sight of teenaged boys clustered around a game console or computer monitor, controllers in hand and eyes fixed on the screen, is now a familiar one in many libraries.  But wait…are those players really boys?  Or even teenagers?  Or…are there a few gray heads in the mix? 

In fact, the increase in older people buying and enjoying electronic games is a phenomenon attracting attention, and librarians should take note.  Much of the new action is due to the popularity of the Nintendo Wii, a more senior-friendly game platform than its higher-tech competitors.  According to a recent N.Y. Times article, the growth now in the gaming market is in “simple, user-friendly experiences that families and friends can enjoy together.”   

And also, apparently, retirees:  The Wii is becoming a staple component of group exercise equipment at senior living facilities around South Carolina.  People who are comfortable using a TV remote controller find the transition to the Wii very natural.  And the fitness potential?  Fantastic, compared to TV watching.   

We haven’t actually heard of game programs being offered for seniors in libraries in our state…yet!  But, as the graying of library patrons increases over the coming decade, we think more senior friendly activities should be offered in libraries.  Who’s game?

 

Looking for Library Training and CE Opportunities

Here are some great places to start looking - and most are free (or very cheap):

Library 2.0 Ning Post:

-This is a great list put together by Marianne Lenox. 

The Accidental Technology Trainer:

-This is a VERY comprehensive list put together by Stephanie Gerding - This is a must.  You are bound to find what you are looking for here.

The South Carolina State Library/CE Page:

-I have been keeping a list of resources for training, professional conferences and anything related to South Carolina Library related information.

LibraryTrax Page on this Blog:

-Click on the top tab named “TechTrax” and you will find links to web 2.0 tutorials and more.

The South Carolina State Library/ Calendar of upcoming events:

-You can either check this out on our homepage (http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/home/) or click the link above.  You can also subscribe via RSS feed from our homepage.

 

Making a SPLASH for Spanish speakers in 2008!

This month, the State Library is launching SPLASH! workshops to encourage libraries to reach out to Spanish speakers. The issue of immigration has been in the local headlines for more than a year now and is a big topic in the presidential debates. Legislation pending in the S.C. State House may have implications for how we serve Spanish speakers. In the meantime, however, Latinos are coming to the library to use the computer, learn English, discover how to become Americans. Can we do more to welcome them? Yes, of course! Check out the SPLASH workshop schedule at http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/ , and join us in getting to know our Latino customers. I’ll be posting some facts, figures and thoughts about Latinos/Hispanics in South Carolina libraries over the next few months, as the SPLASH program moves forward. SPLASH is sponsored by WebJunction and is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

Carver’s Bay Branch Library Reports on Successful Digital Arts Experience

The staff of the Georgetown County Library has every reason to be proud of the success of their current project — the Digital Arts Experience or DAE.  The program is a fast-paced 12-week course designed to expose middle school students to the basic concepts and skills required to complete digitally oriented audiovisual projects. The students are encouraged to think for themselves as they work together in teams to concept, storyboard, shoot and edit their own video productions.

Not only did they get promotion from WebJunction, there was a front page article about the project in the Myrtle Beach Sun.

Go here and here for more information. Congratulations to the Georgetown County Library Staff!!

 

PRWeb - A New Concept In PR

PRWeb offers a new, free and (unfortunately, it was discovered that it is not free to post to it but free to for the viewer only - bummer, this could have been a neat tool) easy-to-use, service for organizations to increase the visibility of their news, improve their search engine rankings and drive traffic to their Web site. Check out this quick video and demonstration by the Common Craft Show to see how you could be boosting the press at your library/community events and services.