Library to Begin Lending Video Games

After frequent suggestions by patrons that the  carry video games for check-out, officials set to work making that happen.

“We had done a survey last year for new technology as well as the (survey) we’ve just put on our website and a gaming collection is one of the things often requested,” said Sarah Skilton, the library district's director.

Library officials created a committee to determine the scope of the video game collection. After setting a budget of $1,000, they decided to purchase 75 video games for the children’s department and 75 games for the teen area, which will be split between the Oswego Public Library’s two locations.

The video games, with ratings ranging from E for everyone to T for teens, are expected to begin gracing the shelves in January.

“We’re really pleased we can offer that because I think it’s going to be extremely popular,” Skilton said.

There will be no charge for patrons to borrow a video game from the library.

"It'll be a one week checkout — they just need a library card," Skilton said.

Patrons will be limited to one game per library card.

Oswego Public Library joins a number of facilities adding video games to their collections.

“It’s a great way for libraries to respond to our public and also bring teens into our libraries to get them used to being in the library,” said Audra Caplan, past president of the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association.

Many libraries also host events in conjunction with the ALA’s annual National Gaming Day.

“Having the programs helps us establish relationships with these kids,” Caplan said. “Those of us that work with teenagers know it’s important to develop those relationships with them so that they become advocates of the library.

Oswego Public Library will celebrate National Gaming Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Montgomery Branch Meeting Room. 

For more information, visit the Oswego Public Library’s website.