Bits from Barb

Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium

The second annual ALA TechSource Gaming, Learning and Libraries Symposium will be held November 2-4, 2008, in Oak Brook, Illinois. The Symposium is sponsored by ALA TechSource, in collaboration with the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), and the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA).

Copyright Issues Regarding Video Game Tournaments

An article in the June 1, 2008 edition of School Library Journal addresses the question of copyright in regard to video gaming tournaments. Popular games such as "Guitar Hero" are usually intended for home use. Carrie Russell who wrote the article gives some suggestions on what libraries that offer tournaments might do, but further clarification is probably needed. To read the complete article, go to www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6565670.html&
Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, stopped at the Ninendo exhibit booth while she was at the ALA conference to see if she could get a clarification from them. The sales person promised to send a letter of clarification and Shawn said she would share that with the folks in Wisconsin. Thanks, Shawn! This won't be definative for every company but may be helpful as a general guide.
ALA does have some information on copyright and use of games in the library.
I went to numerous sessions on videogaming for teens while I was at conference to see if I could track down information regarding copyright use. Videogaming in libraries is very popular and done frequently all over the country. In many cases the companies donate the software and sometimes even the gaming systems. So although I didn't find out anything specific, I do know that the libraries with the most experience are not running into copyright use challenges from the game producers. I will continue to monitor this issue and share anything more I hear about it.

Podcast on How to Start a Student Advisory Committee

If you've ever thought about starting a student advisory committee at your library, or you're interested in ways to improve a committee you already have in place, you may want to listen to a free new podcast available from the Virginia chapter of the Association of College & Research Libraries (VLACRL). The podcast is a recording of a session on student advisory committees from VLACRL's May 19, 2008 spring program (Studying Students: Inviting a Fresh Perspective on Your Library) at Sweet Briar College. To view the podcast go to http://vla.org/blog/?p=302. The hour-long recording features Mary Ellen Spencer (Virginia Commonwealth University) and Matt Ball (University of Virginia) speaking about the student advisory committees at their respective schools. -from the Indianhead Library System electronic newsletter, "Newsflashes," June 12, 2008.

5th Edition of Excellence in Library Services to Youth Adults is Released

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced the publication of "Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults, 5th Edition," edited by Amy Alessio for YALSA with a foreword by Mary K. Chelton, editor of the book's first three editions. The book is published by YALSA with support from the Margaret A. Edwards Trust.
"Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults" compiles the winners of YALSA's recognition project of the same name, announced last summer. The five winners were selected by YALSA as the best programs in libraries for young adults, along with 20 "best of the rest. Each program summary provides ideas for replicating and adapting the winning programs in school and public libraries. Organized for easy browsing, each chapter encourages readers to think about the range of possible programs and illustrates the growing trend of including teens in every aspect of the program.
Amy J. Alessio is the teen coordinator at the Schaumburg Township District Library in Illinois and an active YALSA member. She finishes her term as YALSA's fiscal officer this month and also previously edited YAttitudes, YALSA's e-mail newsletter. She also teaches online courses and licensed institutes for YALSA on teen services.
The book can be purchased through the ALA Store.

SYSTEM YOUTH LIAISON POSTING
July 2008