Libraries and Online Gaming

 Should libraries promote online gaming as part of their programs for youth?  At first, this might seem contrary to what a library should provide.  Libraries are for books, research, educational stuff, right?  Kids can play games at home.  But there are several good reasons for kids to be able to have access to online games at the library.  According to library consultant Beth Gallaway, being able to play games in the library helps teens to be in a social environment, rather than alone at home.  It enables teens to be social, even if they are not directly participating.  Another reason Gallaway states is that gaming promotes literacy, critical thinking, problem solving skills, and sometimes even physical exercise.  She also thinks that the casual and relaxed environment of a gaming program helps teens be more comfortable asking for help with homework or research.  The program can get more teens into a library to see everything else that is available to them.  (Hill, 35)  All of these are very good reasons to have online gaming available in a teen program at the library. 

Works Cited

Hill, Rebecca. "The World Of Multitasking Teens: How Library Programming Is Changing To Meet These Needs." Young Adult Library Services 8.4 (2010): 33-36. Academic Search Premier. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.