Traditionally, libraries have not engaged in video gaming events. However, Eli Neiburger, technology manager of the Ann Arbor District Library, suggests that a series of library-held video game tournaments will draw gamers who are not traditional library users (particularly teenagers). Neiburger gives detailed, useful tips about everything from how to organize a video game tournament to how to solicit feedback from tournament participants. Of particular note is the chapter on selecting video game consoles and video game software; Neiburger suggests selecting software first and then choosing video game consoles that will run the selected games. This highly practical guide would be useful to any librarian or library board considering instituting a video game tournament program, though the rapid changes in video gaming from year to year may necessitate the publishing of an updated second edition within the next decade. ( )

Based in the Ann Arbor Library System, this book focuses on how to incorporate video games into library programming and why it is important to do so. Eli Neiburger goes over the history of how libraries have adapted to changes in society, such as how they allowed computers into libraries and everyone thought that would get rid of books completely but it really just made the library more user friendly. This book is recommended for public librarians.

Everything you need to know to have video game tournaments at your library is contained in this book. Literally. Everything.

Eli Neiburger is a gamer. He knows his stuff. And he knows how to make video games work in libraries. If you are a librarian hoping to get more teens into your library, more fun into your library, or you've somehow already convinced your board that a gaming tournament is an awesome idea then you absolutely must have this book. I'm not kidding. You'll need it.

The book covers the planning stage, including funding and staffing and considering which games to use and who to market the event to, as well as scheduling and how to organize the tournament. You'll find descriptions of the many different kinds of gamers, video games, and consoles. If you're frightened by the idea of setting up game consoles in your library don't worry: Eli covers that, in detail, from what kinds of cords and wires you will encounter to how to plug them all in together to make video game magic happen.

He also discusses decisions you should be making, the questions you should be asking, and what the answers should be. And even though it sounds a bit controlling and a little like there isn't any flexibility in his programming plan, that's not true at all. There is so much flexibility and wiggle room in this book that it can work for anyone, and that's why its the best book on gaming in libraries.

There is a concerted effort on the party of many public libraries to attract patrons and conduct activities that market the library as a community center. We have here a challenge to conduct a monthly gaming contest for children, teens, parents, and community members. The author, who has had much experience with this, provides a guide to conducting such an activity with lots of details, dos and don’ts, strategies, workarounds, and ideas for doing this up right. One can imagine such an event at the local school in conjunction with a parents night to encouage attendance. Far fetched? How do you attract parents to the school library? How could you work with the public library on this type of project so that families have their public library card, are linked into the public library databases, have library cards, and understand the important role both libraries play in a person’s life. “Bring ‘em in for one thing, teach them another…” We all need marketing plans. This is worth considering. Recommended. ( )