Ohio library now loaning video games
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jul 1st 2008 at 7:55PM }
Eager bookworms visiting the Washington-Centerville Public Library in Centerville, Ohio, will face exposure to the new-fangled "video game" entertainment medium, as the library will now be loaning PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 games. According to the Dayton Daily News, the library will carry two categories of games: Titles aimed at families, and ones aimed at players aged 10 and up (sans adult-only games). Each game will be available for one-week loan with the option of one renewal.You can check for yourself which games are available in the library's online catalog, though the Dayton Daily News has gone and confirmed the presence of Guitar Hero, Kung-Fu Panda, Madden NFL 08 and, err, Iron Man. That one's probably meant to frighten the kids into reading books again.
[Via Shacknews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brian Fantana @ Jul 1st 2008 8:00PM
Weird. I have family in Centerville, and it's kind of a hick town.
birdman @ Jul 1st 2008 8:32PM
I live outside of centerville closer to dayton and it is definitely not a hicktown. Centerville is the upscale/ritzy suburb of dayton. Probably as far from hick as you can get in Ohio, honestly.
Cesaria (cesariatic.wordpress.com) @ Jul 1st 2008 8:38PM
Yeah, I've been there to visit some friends. Definitely a nice town. Check your facts before posting or you run the risk of looking like an idiot.
iofthestorm @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:23AM
Yeah, I used to live in Kettering, which is right next to Centerville, and it is definitely not a hick town. Centerville was where all the rich people lived iirc.
Zapp and Rgoer @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:43AM
You all are wrong...Centerville is where the New money that wishes it was Old money like Oakwood lives...
danny. @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:30AM
I grew up in Springboro (which is right next to Centerville). The whole suburban area between Dayton and Cincinnati is pretty hickless (though not entirely). It is however stuffed full of pop punk people for some reason. And there are no single women there above 21. Overall, it's a great place though.
NoHitHair @ Jul 1st 2008 8:07PM
I was wondering when libraries would make the next logical step. They had books and then movies. I assumed games would eventually follow.
Eric @ Jul 2nd 2008 2:59AM
Next logical step? The libraries around me used to carry games, on 5 1/4" floppies, for the C64 and IBM compatible PCs (and some Tandy games, too). That was about 20 years ago.
NoHitHair @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:12AM
That's interesting. None of the libraries where I live have ever had anything like that. Otherwise my dad and I would've gone there instead of renting games from a local PC dealer and copying them.
Photocopiers work wonders for game manuals.
chrisflyer @ Jul 1st 2008 8:09PM
Mentor Public Library has been doing this for years. Same with Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh. Lucky for me I can utilize both.
iofthestorm @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:25AM
Lots of libraries have done this in the past, this is nothing new. I remember one time (maybe 2004ish or so) I got Diablo from the local library, as it seemed to be one of the more recent titles they had (lol) and got immediately scared off by the horrible graphics, and never actually played it.
Paul (PSN: heypaul) @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:01AM
I've never seen anything like this, but I love it. My library rents out UFC videos. If THAT passes the bar to be purchased by taxpayer dollars, so should Bioshock.
Co @ Jul 1st 2008 8:11PM
Something tells me Blockbuster isn't going to like this if it catches on.
Fosssil @ Jul 1st 2008 8:37PM
Maybe that'll convince them to lower their prices a bit... $8 for 5 days is outrageous.
Alex @ Jul 1st 2008 8:13PM
I used to live in Ohio, and there my local library let you rent PS2 games, too bad I didn't own a PS2 :(
Lijik @ Jul 1st 2008 8:15PM
Oh wow, they have Beyond Good and Evil out for loaning. That was a little unexpected. Really wish my local library did something like this.
MobiusXP @ Jul 1st 2008 8:20PM
New City Library in Rockland county, NY has also been doing this for a couple years now, they had PS2 games and when the Xbox 360 came out they started loaning out those games as well. Probably loaning out Wii/PS3 games now too as well.
Doc @ Jul 1st 2008 9:11PM
they've been doing that up here for a long time.
bear in mind that "up here" is Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Fosssil @ Jul 1st 2008 8:30PM
When I was growing up my mom used to always tell me to stop playing video games and read a book.
Ironic that libraries are now taking the direct opposite approach.
MarMar @ Jul 1st 2008 10:23PM
The very existence of libraries in the U.S. is on the brink because *no one* uses them. The standards have been lowered so much in this country that even academic libraries can't get patrons. Students prefer googling other people's essays and changing the names at the top rather than doing actual, serious research and study. A conversation with a librarian will give 1,000x more than a google search will, but like in retail, people are so determined to use machines, big-box, etc. and to not interact with actual human beings that they are fading into obscurity. Unless some kind of dramatic movement happens in this country to reverse the apathy, laziness, and illiteracy of our people, the ancient institution of the library is going to disappear.
Isak? @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:03AM
Librarians are not anymore useful than a google search, in fact they're less useful in many ways. The younger ones are more up to date with electronic searchs, but the older ones are all about book reseach. Lexus nexus, and publication searchs are the way school libraries are all going now while books, and paper copies, are on the outs.
That said, the Wyoming Public Library in Michigan had Sega games back in '93, and I borrowed computer games from the District Libraries up through like '99. Streets of Sim city, while a horrible game, isn't quite as bad when it's free.
343 Guilty Fart @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:04PM
Marmar and Isak - both of you are incorrect. According to the American Library Association 'State of American Libraries 2008' report, library use is actually on the rise. Also - as for what Isak said about 'librarians not being more useful than a google search', this is incorrect. First off, you can't find everything you need through the use of one search engine. Just as you wouldn't use one book as source material for writing a paper, if you just use Google you are NOT finding all the relevant information. The library has access to thousands of databases that Google can't touch (even Google Scholar). I don't remember the exact figure, but it's estimated that any given search engine only returns less than 25% of relevant results.
/end rant
Buschaga @ Jul 1st 2008 8:47PM
I grew up in Centerville and am a member of that library. I live about 15 miles away now, though. It's always been very progressive for a library... they have been checking out music CDs for over a decade and have tons of DVDs to loan too. I've ripped tons of such items to my computer. Thanks library!
Centerville isn't a hick town, although some of the surrounding area is a bit. Centerville is where all the wealthy families and yuppies live in this area of Ohio... I'm not surprised that they are loaning video games. A soccer mom in her luxury SUV needs some way to entertain the kids. God forbid she get off the cell phone and actually spend time with them.
Cesaria (cesariatic.wordpress.com) @ Jul 1st 2008 8:39PM
Our libraries here in lovely Fort Wayne, Indiana have been loaning video games for years. You can get next gen games, too. :P
Phillip @ Jul 1st 2008 8:52PM
My library needs this....
time @ Jul 1st 2008 8:57PM
My library has had video games for ages now... I remember taking out The Sims and some old Star Wars Jedi Knight game around 5 to 6 years ago. I think they have some Wii games there now.
Ben @ Jul 1st 2008 10:10PM
They've been doing this here in Topeka, Kansas for quite a while.
Courtney @ Jul 1st 2008 10:26PM
The Lawrence, KS library also has games (or at least used to) and I've heard the Johnson County, KS library system has a pretty decent game catalog.
Rurik @ Jul 1st 2008 9:37PM
Libraries here in Maryland have also been doing this for years. Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and PC games, and a pretty good selection. 3 day free check-out, and you can extend an additional 3 days free over the Internet.
Tegolin @ Jul 1st 2008 9:39PM
My library needs this.
Mr Khan @ Jul 1st 2008 9:46PM
Wish my library would start doing this, i work there (part-time book reshelving monkey), and this would really spice up the work day
Though their DDR/Battlefront 2 saturdays help in that
projecthappy @ Jul 1st 2008 9:54PM
They rent games here in San Diego county as well...but the waiting list is ridiculous, because they're free. I put Lego Star Wars for Wii on hold, I was about 92 in the list, for a 1 week rental. It'll be awhile.
beoba @ Jul 1st 2008 10:02PM
When I was a kid, I got NES games from the Kansas City Public Library system. Nothin' new here :)
I wonder if Boston does it too..
sldtrap @ Jul 1st 2008 10:05PM
Funny this should come out today. I just found out that my library loans out some games. I have Burnout Paradise on reserve, along with (gulp) Iron Man. They also offer Rock Band (sans instruments).
However, one game that seemed like a trap is Lost Odyssey. A game that takes a solid month to play all they way through, and I get to borrow it for only a few weeks? *psh* And they'll probably charge a dollar a day per game too.
Still, free is free!
Jeff @ Jul 1st 2008 10:13PM
This is smart.
Lure kids into libraries with videogames. Make them think libraries are somewhat cool.. or at least-- useful!
Maybe from there kids will look up and read a magazine... or perhaps even a book! Maybe you could see some of the books related to a videogame near where you rent it (the Halo, Mass Effect, WoW, etc books).
Donald @ Jul 1st 2008 10:20PM
"the library will carry two categories of games: Titles aimed at families, and ones aimed at players aged 10 and up"
So basically, games.
Darius @ Jul 1st 2008 11:09PM
I live in Dayton, Ohio. My girlfriend lives in Centerville. I think there will be a crazy wait for those rentals.
Bluebrake @ Jul 1st 2008 11:01PM
You know, I'm surprised this doesn't run afoul of the DMCA. From the publisher's perspective, is this so different from pirating games?
007craft @ Jul 1st 2008 11:13PM
my library has dvds, but good luck burrowing ANYTHING worth while. Even good old movies are always checked out. Theres even waiting lists for eavery title as well. I would imgine games would be the same.
If I was blockbuster, I wouldnt worry to much about losing business, as most people are probably gonna pay the $8 to play GTA4 now rather then wait 4-7 weeks to play gta4 for free.
Kon @ Jul 1st 2008 11:56PM
As both a librarian and a gamer, I can honestly say that this has been going on for a long time now (this post is several years late).
This is not a problem for any rental place the same way that libraries have not been ruining movie rentals. We provide access to things, but if you're looking for a copy of the new releases, you're better off at a rental place.
Libraries are also protected under most licensing laws to allow circulation of items as long as there are no more copies circulating than the library owns.
Lastly if you're wanting to find a game in a library, just search for it at www.worldcat.org. They are listed as computer files (unfortunately our classification options have not kept up with new media as fast as we have).
Alan @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:39AM
My local library here in Southeast PA has been loaning games for a few years now.
bobartig @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:58AM
My local library (Oakland, CA Piedmont branch) lends console games. They have one that I worked on.
RabbidMickeyMouse @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:12AM
Sounds like my library is getting a suggestion in the mail soon. I'd be willing to donate, too.
Grant @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:29AM
Another step towards people recognizing video games as art.
t_m @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:32AM
this is news? Been able to do this for at least 5 years, probably nearer 10.
Kevin Ghadyani @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:05PM
And this is a big deal because? The libraries around here have been doing that for years. In fact, movies and computer games and CDs are VERY common to see in the checkout bins.
FaintDeftone @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:27PM
I laugh at the guy who said Centerville is a hick town. Dude, I live about 20min away from Centerville and it's pretty damn high-class up there. Apparently you've never been there.
un1qu3 n3wy0rk @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:58AM
Not a big deal.
My local library here in Bel Air, Maryland has been doing this for as long as I can remember. They never really have a good selection though.
eyao @ Jul 2nd 2008 2:00PM
I remember when I was young, going to the libraries were fun for getting and reading a bunch of books in a quiet atmosphere. I went again to my local public library two years ago to find out they had all my tv shows as well on dvd (for free!). Now that they're beginning to do games, who will read the books???
Now I love video games as much as the next person here and enjoy the gradual U.S. social acceptance towards them as legit 'art' or entertainment, but with this, I fear the future of the children when they do go to a library and face the choice between a video game and movie section vs. books.
Mike @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:46PM
I think parents reading good books to their children would do more to influence their reading habits later on than video games in libraries.
When I was three or four, my dad read the Lord of the Rings series to my sister and me. I was fascinated and inspired to read voraciously throughout my childhood.