1. Hollywood Branch Library Teen Services TEEN GAMING a library service whose time has come

2. Hollywood Branch Library Teen Services Video Games Video gaming is playing a huge role in helping libraries serve the needs and interests of our users, especially teens.

3. More and more libraries are hosting gaming nights and tournaments that give young people an opportunity to connect with peers and the community, explore new technologies, hang out and have fun doing something they love. Gaming Nights and Tournaments

4. Hollywood Branch Library Teen Services Gaming allows libraries to offer a safe environment where teens can get together to socialize and have fun while enhancing their computer skills Gaming Nights and Tournaments

5. Hollywood Branch Library Teen Services

6. School Library Journal Review By integrating video and tabletop games into library services and programs, these youngsters are becoming motivated to visit on a regular basis, and libraries are evolving into inviting hubs for teens It also provides young people the opportunity to develop important social and educational skills including interacting with peers, adults, and family members; becoming team players; and sharpening problem solving and literacy skills

7. Hollywood Branch Library Teen Services

8. And the skills that games develop are exactly what young people need to be empowered participants in the rapidly changing world of new media. School Library Journal Review continued… Gaming is truly a library service whose time has come. Games break down barriers between the library and the community and make the library a welcoming place for a whole new group of users. – Czarnecki, Kelly. (Sept. 2007). New ways librarians can support learning and literacy. School Library Journal

9. Hollywood Branch Library Teen Services

10. Directors Weekly Message for November 5, 2007 Robert E. Cannon Question: Why are we circulating video games? I recently heard a radio discussion where various university officials were predicting that all learning would be interactive – game technology type – within the next few decades. People were going to learn – at all levels – through interactive experiences, using all of the senses, using game technology. Answer: We have a pilot project and of course the games are very popular. We may extend the service perhaps in the future. Circulating videos was very controversial in the 1970s but the public demonstrated that they wanted this service. The public has demonstrated to us that they like DVDs and CDs and Books on Tape. Generally, half of our circulation is non-print. Director, Broward County Library

11. Hollywood Branch Library Teen Services With the help of our teens, support from the parents and local businesses, along with the hard work and dedication of the library staff, our teen programs continue being successful. Get your game on…