2007 Press Release
From TechSource Gaming Symposium
ELECTRONIC GAMING FOSTERING LEARNING AND LITERACY IN U.S. LIBRARIES
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii coming to a library near you?
CHICAGO - As libraries across the country continue to bring in new technologies to support learning and literacy, for the first time ever, top gamers will meet in Chicago to discuss how gaming impacts our nation’s libraries. ALA TechSource, in collaboration with the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) and Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, are proud to announce the first annual Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium to be held in Chicago, from July 22 to 24 at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare hotel.
Libraries are changing and dynamic places, and offer their users wireless Internet access, laptops for in-library use, 24/7 online reference help, e-books, blogs, MP3s and are now preparing to offer electronic gaming.
Never before have library staffers had such a unique opportunity to hear from so many leading thinkers and practitioners in the fields of gaming and librarianship. Several of the most renowned scholars in the applications of gaming will discuss how libraries can use gaming as a method to support learning and literacy.
The latitude of unique programs will offer an exciting opportunity for librarians to get involved with gaming, and provide them with the tools needed to establish gaming programs in their libraries.
More than 25 sessions will cover such topics as creating games for information literacy; implementing gaming programs; teaching kids how to make their own games; gaming for adults; digital downloads for gamers; online fiction games; intellectual freedom issues surrounding gaming; collection development for games and more.
Keynote speakers include:
- James Paul Gee, Mary Lou Fulton presidential professor of Literacy Studies at Arizona State University
“Libraries, Gaming, and the New Equity Crisis,” 9:15 a.m., July 23
- Henry Jenkins, director, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Comparative Media Studies Program
- Liz Lawley, director, Lab for Social Computing, Rochester Institute of Technology
“Games without Borders: Gaming Beyond Consoles and Screens,” 12 p.m., July 24
- Greg Trefry, game designer, GameLab
“Big Fun, Big Learning: Transforming the World through Play,” 8:15 a.m., July 24
Special guest speakers include:
- Eli Neiburger, manager, Information Access & Systems, Ann Arbor District Library “The Payoff, Up Close and Personal,” 3:45 p.m., July 22
- Scott Nicholson, assistant professor, GameLab, Information Institute of Syracuse at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies
“Who Else Is Playing? The Current State of Gaming in Libraries,” 2:30 p.m., July 22.
In addition, a special session will focus on board gaming, and sessions on Second Life will highlight how libraries are creating a presence in this virtual world and what they are gaining from it.
For more information on the Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium please visit http://gaming.techsource.ala.org. Media interested in scheduling interviews with symposium spokespersons, or participating speakers may contact Macey Morales, ALA Media Relations, 312-280-4393. Media interested in conducting interviews during the symposium onsite may contact Jenny Levine, ALA Strategy Guide, 708-955-4964, or Mary Jo Bolduc, ALA Publishing, (773) 383-1327.
ALA TechSource is a unit of the publishing department of the American Library Association. ALA TechSource publishes Library Technology Reports, Smart Libraries Newsletter (formerly Library Systems Newsletter), and the ALA TechSource Blog.
The Verizon Foundation funds programs that address the heart of social issues such as literacy, technology education and domestic violence. We build partnerships to replicate our most successful programs in communities across the country. Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than $400 million in the United States and around the world to help others.
The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association, is a professional association of academic librarians and other interested individuals. It is dedicated to enhancing the ability of academic library and information professionals to serve the information needs of the higher education community and to improve learning, teaching, and research.
Fast facts: ·81% of teens play games online, (Pew Internet & American Life Project) ·69% of American homes own a game console (Entertainment Software Association) ·Only 15% of games sold in 2005 were rated M for Mature (Entertainment Software Association)
Contacts:
Jenny Levine
ITTS & Publishing, ALA
312-280-2461
jlevine@ala.org
Macey Morales
Media Relations Manager, ALA
312-280-4393
mmorales@ala.org
Macey L. Morales
Media Relations Manager
American Library Association
50 E. Huron
Chicago, IL 60611
312-280-4393
American Libraries Magazine, 1907-2007 Celebrating the First 100 Years
