As of this week, the library isn't just for book lovers and movie buffs. Now you can check out video games too.
free library Philadelphia's added gGames for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch consolesTotal 54 branches, and they can Please borrow itor up to 3 weeks. Its catalog features hundreds of titles. You can update up to 10 times unless requested by someone else.
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”I think gamers have a lot to benefit from using the library, so we’re really looking forward to bringing in new people,” said Chris Lenglet, who sorts video game and DVD materials at the library. I think this will also add a lot of value to their library experience as they already use the library regularly. ”
The library has long offered movies, e-books, and audiobooks through its collection and streaming service Kanopy. But this is the first time a Philadelphia library will allow borrowers to bring in home video games. Lenglet said librarians have long advocated adding video games and have been working on the project for the past year.
To select games, Lenglet and his team created a list of titles they thought would appeal to gamers and sent them to local libraries. From there, librarians at branches across the city were able to select materials that would be popular with patrons. That way, the branch can lean towards the types of games that work in the community. (For example, a branch with more families visiting may have more children's games.)
”[Getting] “I think it's a really great way to have community input and make sure the collection reflects what the patrons who come to this space want,” Lenglet said.
Lenglet also monitors upcoming release dates for new games added to the catalog.
So far, it's been a hit. Some branches received video games early last week, Lenglet said. Only about 10 games left from a shelf of 50 games at the Parkway Central Library Teen Center.
Libraries nationwide Added video games It has been featured in catalogs over the past few years with the aim of reducing the cost of games. Langlais said the cost cannot be completely eliminated because the library does not offer consoles at this time. But they hope this will allow players to step outside their comfort zones.
“if They're used to playing action and fighting games and want to step into role-playing games, they might be able to do it and it won't put their wallet at risk. “I guess so,” Lenglet said. You might really love a type of game that wasn't available before just by trying it out at the library. ”
