Bird After Dark

This weekend, I had the pleasure of volunteering for the Bird After Dark event, which was held on National Gaming Day (technically, the event started the day before, but midnight to 2 a.m. counts in my book). Usually, this day has libraries hosting game tournaments (video games included) and the like. The ALA website for 2010's events can be found here. The purpose is to "connect communities around the educational, recreational, and social value of all types of games."

Bird After Dark had games, to be sure, but a large part of the event was having fun while also learning a thing or two about Bird Library. Students browsed the stacks, browsed databases, and used the OPAC to answer a game quiz. In addition there were hilarious timed physical events, blaring music, mountains of candy, the motivation to win at trivial things (this is a very real phenomenon by the way), and the chance to win some neat prizes, like a Kindle or an SU Snuggie.

Bird's event is likely different form other libraries' events, because the audience and mission are different. An academic library, as Prof. Lankes pointed out last week, has a mission that focuses more around teaching, research, and service. It can even be broken down further, because universities differ from colleges, and there are even further breakdowns within both universities and colleges. Suffice to say, Bird's event did an excellent job of bridging the gap between unadulterated fun and their mission. Although I'd like to see an event that does just have straight up gaming (there might be some as far as I know!), Bird After Dark is an innovative way to get undergraduate students into the library without just begging them via e-mail or LMS spam. And who can turn down a chance to win a snuggie these days?

There's actually a growing field within LIS that deals with games with regard to libraries. I know Prof. Lankes is involved in this area. This is a very challenging prospect, especially with regard to video games. Striking a balance in the game selection between casual and more enthusiast games must be difficult with the typical library budget.

Regardless, Bird After Dark was great fun, and I was glad to participate. I'll be there next year!