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Libraries get loud to attract teens
Filed under: Teens, Media, That's Entertainment
Unlike those shops in London who use high frequency sounds to chase away children, libraries actually want children hanging around. But as Christine Lind Hage, director of the Rochester Hills Public Library in Michigan points out, spending an afternoon quietly perusing books isn't most teen's idea of a good time. "Getting teens to come to the library is right up there with getting them to go to church: It's not exactly the first place they want to go," she says.
In an effort to attract teens, some libraries have begun offering not only books to lend, but video games as well. The Rochester Hill Library stocks 1,823 video games and has an average of 1,300 checked out daily. Not only have they figured out how to get teens in the door, they have also found a way to keep them there for a while by holding video game tournaments on site. Featuring popular games like Guitar Hero and Dance, Dance Revolution, the library video game tournaments are a big draw.
"It's a big social event," said Stephanie Jaczkowski, 17. "I've met a lot of friends there, and they're really good friends."
While I do see the value in getting kids to hang out in the library as opposed to the street corners, I can't help but wonder how the video gaming impacts those who really do want to sit quietly and read a book.
In an effort to attract teens, some libraries have begun offering not only books to lend, but video games as well. The Rochester Hill Library stocks 1,823 video games and has an average of 1,300 checked out daily. Not only have they figured out how to get teens in the door, they have also found a way to keep them there for a while by holding video game tournaments on site. Featuring popular games like Guitar Hero and Dance, Dance Revolution, the library video game tournaments are a big draw.
"It's a big social event," said Stephanie Jaczkowski, 17. "I've met a lot of friends there, and they're really good friends."
While I do see the value in getting kids to hang out in the library as opposed to the street corners, I can't help but wonder how the video gaming impacts those who really do want to sit quietly and read a book.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-18-2008 @ 4:25PM
Betsy said...I coordinate events for a bookstore in Michigan and read that article this morning at work. As someone who is constantly faced with the difficulty of trying to make reading look "cool" to a less-than-impressed adolescent audience, I think this is a great idea. Not only does it get them out of the house, but gives them an opportunity to meet other teenagers with similar interests in an environment other than the mall.
Most libraries have separate conference rooms for meetings, exhibits and special events, away from the reading area. I wouldn't be surprised if the video game events at the Rochester Hills Library took place off to the side in one of these rooms so that readers wouldn't feel intruded upon.
While they're not there to read, the events do get them in a building that is conducive to reading. Hopefully the librarians talk to them about good books before or after the video games so at least they have SOME exposure to reading while they're there.
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