I recently hosted a Guitar Hero Tournament at my library--the first one we've ever attempted. I should clarify that my library routinely hosts open-play gaming events for the teens (twice a month, I might add), but I've never been sure about the whole "tournament" concept until recently. Zach, one of the active teens at my library decided we should just do it--host the tournament, that is. I'm glad he convinced me to do this program. The tournament was a success. Registration filled quickly (I even had waiting lists), parents attended, teens drove from other counties to attend the event, and teens who have never previously visited the library participated in the tournament and had a great time. For those of you considering gaming at your library, I can assure you that it IS worthwhile and it DOES hold merit for your library. Take a look at your library's mission statement. If you work in a public library, I'm guessing that statement says something about providing "entertainment" or "recreation" (or something to that effect) in addition to the educational aspects of your library's purpose. Gaming gets teens to the library. It helps create good relationships between the teens and the teen services librarian. Many teens visit the library regularly because of gaming events, and through those visits, the teens begin to view the library as "THEIR" place to be. I could list a lot more benefits of gaming, but I'll save those thoughts for another day.
Okay...So I took the first step and actually posted a blog. Now comes the even scarier part--telling people about it and inviting them to take a peek. Hmmm...Whom should I contact first? My mind starts assembling a list:--those who will be kind--those who are not tech savvy and will therefore be most impressed with my efforts--those who will only glance at my info, give me a token pat on the back and post a generic comment such as "Nice job!"My mind shifts gears, and I'm thinking about all the teens out there who have recently created MySpace (or whatever SNS) pages and are anxiously waiting responses, hoping someone will ask to be a friend. I'm thinking of the teens who already have such pages and have no troubles spilling their guts online and sharing all of their personal information as well as their most intimate thoughts. How do they do that? Was I born into a different generation that has more inhibitions than today's teen generation? Do I just need to get over my blog-o-phobia and let loose? Time will tell.Meanwhile, I'm off to invite some people to view this blog. Maybe I'll go ahead and add a few techno-talented people in order to get their constructive criticisms. I hope they will be kind!
A fellow librarian recently started a blog. She admitted one day (in the lunch room) her hesitancy and apprehension about posting her own thoughts online as being downright scary. Yup. I can identify. Will anyone read what I have to say? Will anyone care? Will anyone get angry? Will I become publicized, ostracized, demoralized?There's a proverb I once heard that goes something like this:It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.Will a blog "remove all doubt" in the way other people regard me? Yes, my fellow librarian, posting a blog is a scary thing, but in the world of Web 2.0 it seems like the natural thing. Here goes!
