Video Games in Toronto Libraries???

Wow, if they only had that back in the day, then I wouldn't have been lying to my parents when I told them I was going to the library -when really I was at the neighbourhood tuck shop destroying people at Street Fighter 2!!!

Well, it's true.. Toronto Libraries are looking to start a video games program where people can borrow video games like they do books, and also they're looking to start video game events, all to attract young people back to the library.

Here's the story from the Toronto Star:

Coming to Toronto’s libraries: video games
For non-readers, games can be an entrée to the land of books

The Toronto Public Library is searching for close to $300,000 to start a circulating video game collection, as well as to set up gaming programs at eight branches across the city.

“It may be the only time a young person comes in. It can act as a magnet to attract people,” said city Councillor Adam Vaughan, who sits on the library’s board.

“Once we get them in there, you can be darn sure that our librarians will be hard at work to introduce them to everything else the library can offer.”

Now, this isn't just another one of those hairbrained schemes that our Toronto City Council has come up with... Actually, Libraries from all over have been lending out video games for years now... Including Libraries in the New York and Detroit areas. And they've been seeing not only a rise in visitors, but also a rise in the number of books being loaned out as well..

So maybe this idea is working?? I don't know, I guess we'll see if they can scrounge $300,000 together...


I know I would have loved the idea when I was younger!! It definitely would have saved me a fortune from having to rent the games at the local Video Rental Shop... And hey, if I have to go in there in the future for whatever reason, at least I'll have a way to kill some time! -->Yes yes... Or I guess I could read a book! ;)

--jackandcokewithalime


(Image:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oddwick/2047840085/sizes/o/ by Todd Huffman on flickr (Video Games on Library Bookshelves)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/montereypubliclibrary/2635829970/sizes/l/ by montereypubliclibrary on flickr (Kids Playing Wii at Library)
Copyright: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)