Library Game Lab of Syracuse

Gaylord provides startup funding for the Library Game Lab of Syracuse

Gaylord Bros., Inc.(http://www.gaylord.com), a leading provider of innovative library supplies, furniture and archival products, has presented the Library Game Lab of Syracuse, part of the Information Institute at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies, a $5,000 startup grant for the purchase of some of the equipment needed to develop the portable Library Game Lab project. Over the last year, Dr. Scott Nicholson, director of the Library Game Lab, has been heading up studies to understand the current use of games in libraries. This research has shown that over 75% of U.S. public libraries have some type of gaming activities but that most librarians are not aware of the variety of game types available.

“To have a successful gaming program, librarians must match gaming activities to patron interest in the same way that they match books to reading interest,” says Dr. Nicholson, “and the portable Library Game Lab will allow us to help librarians experience games of many types and to inform the gaming industry about the special needs of games for libraries and schools.” The Library Game Lab seeks further funding for larger-scale research projects to determine the most effective gaming activities for different library goals and to develop and teach courses and workshops on the planning, execution, and assessment of gaming programs in libraries. More information about the Library Game Lab of Syracuse can be found at http://gamelab.syr.edu.