While many libraries around the country are adding more technology to get little ones more attracted to the library, there have been some down sides to the whole idea. See the story below.
In an attempt to attract youngsters, employees of one Nebraska public library recently instituted a gaming workshop, until, that is, constroversy paralyzed the effort.One local taxpayer caught wind of the Omaha librarians' unorthodox event via the above video, which shows the librarians playing the game 'Rock Band' in what appears to be the library's study room. The librarians had posted the video in hopes of promoting the workshops. Apparently outraged, the whistleblower put a call in to Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley's office. In no time, Foley had launched an investigation."It was state employees, on state time, during work hours, playing with and setting up a PlayStation video game system," Foley told Omaha's Action 3 News. We wouldn't imagine he thinks that's a good thing.Foley went on to say that a six-member board has been appointed by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman to further investigate the case and determine whether or not these gaming workshops are a waste of taxpayers' money. Is it just us or is it terribly ironic that the state's investigation will, no doubt, cost a lot more taxpayer money than the librarians may or may not have wasted?
from: http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/librarians-busted-for-playing-rock-band-on-the-job/
I guess playing Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and Dance Dance Revolution is a no-no one the clock. Oh, well guess I'll actually have to work...at work.
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4 comments:
It is really odd, but I have taken my grandson to several teen activity workshops at our local library and Rock Band was one of the activities that seem to draw the most teenagers, many that stayed after to browse through the library and I observed a couple of the teens things out. Whatever the method of attracting our youth that might otherwise not visit the library I'm all for it.
bmcgram
Granted, the employees should have thought twice before playing video games while still "on the clock", but a full on investigation like this is just a ridiculous waste of taxpayer's money! If video games is what it takes to get the younger generation to pay a visit to their local library, then I'm all for it. I volunteer at a high school library, and notice that most of the kids are playing video games on the libraries PC's during their lunch hour, but what strikes me the most, is the fact that the library is FULL of kids on their lunch hour! My high school library didn't have video games on it's PC's, and I can't remember visiting it all that much.
Matt Marshall
I agree, librarians are paid to work with the public and to entice them into the library through public relations. If kids are influenced to participate in the library through games then I applaud the librarians creativity. Once kids are used to attending the library, they may end up life long users.
The teen years are often when many patrons stop useing the library. Mom and dad no longer read to them and they can often find the information they need on line or at their school library. So they stop going only to return years later with their own children. These librarians were bridging that gap, getting the kids interested in the library and letting them know it was a place for teens too. How sad that instead of talking to the librarians about what they were doing, this person had to make an officail complaint. If they stop the workshops, there's a good chance it will turn those teens off of the library for life, so they will loose the patronage of not only this generation, but the next as well.
Heather
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