Interview With David Carter, Librarian at Michigan Game Archive

Posted on November 7, 2008 by The Video Game Librarian

This article is from the first edition of The Video Game Librarian website I published between 2008 and 2010. It was originally written on November 7, 2008.

When it comes to scholarly research and preservation, video games are not usually at the top of the list for librarians. After books and music and movies and about a hundred other things, there’s not much attention left over for games. But some people out there are attempting to change that. One of those people is David Carter, a librarian at the newly opened University of Michigan Computer and Video Game Archive.

Michigan’s Game Archive is a “usable archive” that allows students and professors the chance to come in and sit down with a variety of video games, both retro and modern titles alike. The archive is currently in preview mode with shortened hours, but the big Grand Opening has been scheduled for November 17. I recently had a chance to talk to David about what the archive is doing, what their plans for the future are, the challenges of running a game archive and what people have been playing (you’ll be surprised).

So hit the “Continue Reading” link for the lengthy interview. Continue reading →

GLLS 2008 Presentations and Session Notes: Day 2 @ ALA’s News About Games and Gaming

Posted on November 4, 2008 by The Video Game Librarian

This article is from the first edition of The Video Game Librarian website I published between 2008 and 2010. It was originally written on November 4, 2008.

Here are some more session notes and presentation details from the currently ongoing 2008 Games, Learning & Libraries Symposium courtesy of the ALA’s News About Games and Gaming blog:

Real Data on Video Game Violence – Dr. Larry Kutner, author of Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games, discussed the truth about the connection between video games and youth violence. Quick Preview: There isn’t one.
GamerDad: Helping Kids & Parents Find the Right Games – Andrew Bub, founder of the GamerDad website, explained why “You have to be a gamer to understand games!” and discussed some of the worries around video games.
The Power of Play – Jon-Paul C. Dyson of the Strong National Museum of Play talked about the importance of play.

Today is the final day of the symposium.

GLLS 2008 Presentations and Session Notes @ ALA’s News About Games and Gaming

Posted on November 3, 2008 by The Video Game Librarian

This article is from the first edition of The Video Game Librarian website I published between 2008 and 2010. It was originally written on November 3, 2008.

The 2008 Games, Learning & Libraries Symposium is currently taking place in Oak Brook, IL (and runs through November 4). If you couldn’t make it, ALA’s News About Games and Gaming blog is posting for session notes for a lot of the speakers and presentations:

GLLS Keynote: Marc Prensky – Marc Prensky, author of Don’t Bother Me Mom, I’m Learning, talked about the educational and entertainment value of games and how kids today are playing games.
State of the Union: Gaming in Libraries in 2007 – Scott Nicholson of the Syracuse Gamelab talked about the overall state of gaming in libraries in 2007.
Teens, Games, and Civics: Amanda Lenhart, Pew Internet & American Life Project – An overview of the recent Pew Research study that found nearly all teens play video games.
Alignment: How Connecting Games Opens Doors – Christopher Harris and Brian Mayer discussed board games and their paper “Board Games: Alignment With the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner.”
GT System Update – Eli Neiburger, author of Gamers… in the Library?, gives an update on the online tournament system currently in use at 29 libraries.

The fine folks at ALA’s News About Games and Gaming blog have promised more from GLLS 2008, so be sure to check back with their page (and this page) for more.