Houston public library and video games

November 14, 1:29 PMHouston Game ExaminerGregory Gauthreaux

Previous

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Houston Game Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Houston Public Library, Gov. Tech. 

      I uncovered something really interesting this week, the Houston Public Library has begun using video games as a pitch to attract the community to it's central branch. After $17 million in renovations, the building began to mimic the atmosphere of major retail bookstores such as Barnes & Nobles and Borders.

     Who is it attracting? The kids of course. Since they opened the central branch back up in May, they've seen groups of teens and kids make the library a part of their regular recreation.

     The idea that spurred the change came from the idea that "libraries are shifting their focus from content consumption to content creation in order to stay relevant." Other changes were made such as adding the Gadget Petting Zoo which features numerous content creation devices.

     So if playing wii on a 30-inch LCD from a surrouned sound pod chair might interest you or your kids, the library's game facilities are open to the public from 9a.m. to 9p.m.

     "The teen area was basically the size of a living room on the fourth floor where they didn't have their own dedicated computers. They didn't have their own private space. It was not really conducive to teens coming and hanging out," said Saima Kadir, the coordinator of emergining technologies for the HPL. They now have over half the floor dedicated to quiet study rooms, gaming area, and ample space for doing homework or just hanging out.

     I guess "Shh! This is a library" is going to become a thing of the past.