Library: Video games don’t rot kid brains

The Newport Beach Public Library had its inaugural video game tournament for teenagers Tuesday night, and it’s unlikely to be its last.

Although a library seems like a strange venue for promoting what some parents consider brain-decaying activities that distract kids from other more rewarding pursuits like, say, reading, the library administration sees them as a valuable way to build a community and improve technological literacy.

A small collection of video games available to be checked out free-of-charge was unveiled quietly as a pilot program late last month at the library.

So far the response has been overwhelmingly positive and the shelves of games are practically empty as gaming aficionados have discovered the cache.

“One of the things about libraries nowadays is it’s not just about books: There are other types of literacy as well,” said Mara Cota, the library’s teen services coordinator. “Libraries are also about being a cultural space and a gathering space for the public.”

The library hosted the event to draw kids in and show them the games as well as several other types of high-tech entertainment options that they might not have known about like DVDs and electronic books available from the library’s website.

Reference librarian Allen Kesinger brought the idea to the library’s administrators last summer and it garnered the approval of the board of directors.

Kesinger is a video game buff himself and says that the concept of video games in public libraries is a growing trend around the country.

Locally, he noticed a similar program in Yorba Linda while he was volunteering there.

“These days video games are becoming this huge cultural thing. Before it was just thought of as a kid’s toy,” Kesinger said, but statistics show that many adults and seniors have taken to the phenomenon and now account for a large portion of video game enthusiasts.

Guided by comments from customers who check out video games, the library is looking to expand and hone its infant collection, deciding which games and which systems are most in demand.

The ones available now closely mirror the preferences of typical players, Cota said, and are not restricted to games that are deemed educational in nature. Some favorites are “Madden NFL,” “Wii Sports” and “Mario.”

Just getting kids to play any games at all, however, can improve technological prowess and teach valuable, marketable skills, she said.

Reporter ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected].