Toronto Public Library looking to start stocking games

[Deleted_171835]

In a bid to lure in more young patrons, the Toronto Public Library is looking for funding that would back a videogame collection.

The library is seeking $300,000 in funds for the project reports The Star, and hopes to eventually offer around 150 titles for checkout across 38 branch locations. Of course the initiative raises the question of what type of games would be stocked; should it be strictly family-friendly fare or should the library also offer more adult-oriented games?

Bruce Ballon, head of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, told the paper, “The libraries have to really consider the social implications of what they’re offering. It could be great ... It’s just making sure it’s done in a healthy way.”

A library spokesperson cautioned that, for now, stocking videogames is just an idea, and “not yet reality.”

The library also hopes to host game nights (or game programs), where people can gather to take part in playing games in a social setting.

The article notes that a similar videogame lending program launched in Guilderland, NY eventually saw the number of books checked out by teenagers jump 20.0 percent.

Good, I guess! I live in Toronto and this would be rather interesting. Waiting lists would probably be long, though and some people might steal the games. Then again, this may not happen if they don't raise the funds. The TPL seems to be getting better and better each day. Now we have Wi-Fi access in every branch!

Via: Gamepolitics
Source: TorontoStar

 

[Cablephish]

Awesome. I'm gonna go to my local library the day it they start this, if it happens...

Not really actually, unless I go there before it opens.

 

[RupeeClock]

I think many libraries have stocked games before actually, but whatever.

 

[Anakir]

Didn't expect that. Also, I read on Metro that there may be a list of Libraries cutting off internet service because people abuse them. Or something along those lines.

This might be some diabolic plan to group up people with flashcarts and them screw them over.

 

[MelodieOctavia]

My public library stocks video games but only Retro games (Everything up to the PS1) Its pretty badass.

 

[Splych]

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having books for reading?
Bah, what ever. Is this like a renting system or borrowing a book except it's a game?

 

[myuusmeow]

My local library (Ontario, California) has games.

I guess you can call them that.

Oregon Trail and Carmen Sandiego, they are never ever ever touched. (Don't get me wrong, I love a little "George Bush has died of dysentery" action every now and then but come on!)

Probably because you need to be 18 to check them out. (Same thing for DVDs wtf)

 

[_Chaz_]

I'm pretty sure my local library does this already. I'd know for sure but I download books.

 

[GundamXXX]

Well I think Toronto is behind in this

My library was renting out games for about 12 years orso. Not the latest and newest but still a fair collection. Used to borrow em and burn em, the starting days of my piracy

 

[zuron7]

So what games you think they are going to keep IMagine.
And think of all the disadvantages.

 

[Hadrian]

Meh just use their internet to download games, that's what I had to do when my net was down.

 

[Raika]

We're supposed to read books in the library, if you want to play video games go somewhere else? What happened to all of the love for reading!... Is what my mother would say. :3

For me: HELL YEAH VIDEO GAMES IN A LIBRARY=EPIC WIN

 

[mrfatso]

haha, this has already happened in our library, heck, i can find last remnant in there, not that it makes any differences, poor guys didnt know that it can only be linked to 1 steam account, so whoever has the first dips on those game, unofficially owns them

but not ds/xbox/ps1/2/3 games, just PC

and i think i was able to find GTA games, well not manhunt(thankfully) but occasionally i can find games that are M rated

 

[scrtmstr]

All the libraries in my area are already doing this for years. They only have little childgames at my library, but the bigger ones have wii's and xbox 360 games. You can't play xbox 360 games though, they're all scratched to hell

 

[playallday]

The Ottawa Library already has most (good) Wii games, Xbox 360 games and some PS2 games.

But games like New Super Mario Bros Wii have like 650 requests on only 8 copy's.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Libraries already host movies, why not video games? Although really, they'll probably go through the ringer.

I thought a while ago, for the US at least, there was some government initiative to stock public libraries with "family friendly" games like LittleBigPlanet. Not sure where it went, though. I haven't used a library for years, probably because I owe a lot of bullshit fees from my parents using my card and not returning books. And every time I swipe my goddamn card they say "OH YOU OWE $50". My library card is also so old that my "s" in my name is backwards. Not that my signature looks in better nowadays

 

[PyroJames]

My local Toronto library is very nice and quiet right now which is what I like. More kids there will probably ruin the atmosphere.

 

[shakirmoledina]

attract the ppl thru games but keep it minimal so as to not turn the library into a playground

 

[Deleted_171835]

sick. i used to rent out game-faqs and game-walkthrough magazines (official zelda: majora's mask walkthrough) as well as general video game mags (gamepro) from my local library (toronto) and now i can actually rent out games?

SWEET.


edit: actually, recently my local library has opened up, they play anime on the TVs almost daily (fucking shitty stuff, like generic sappy crappy anime)...games would just ruin it. i thought you could actually rent them out.

Was it a new library? Sheppard library opened up a few months ago. I'd consider it fairly new.

What branch?