Video games at the library?

Years ago grandma may have fainted at the idea, but now she might be up for some virtual-bowling.
Folks of all ages and experience levels, or those just curious about the changing world of video games, are invited to attend the “Video Games on Tour @ the Library” Aug. 25-29 presenting the latest video games for Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 at several county branches. The tour includes Upper and Lower Townships, Cape May City, Wildwood Crest and Sea Isle City.
Take away all of the negative aspects of video gaming, like promoting antisocial behavior and discouraging exercise, and you will find the Nintendo Wii (pronounced “we”), a motion-sensitive, group-friendly gaming system that requires light physical activity.
“You won’t want to play these games alone,” said Teen Library Director Justin Hoenke.
Nintendo Wii players use a touch-sensitive wireless remote, which can be used alone or placed into accessory equipment, like a steering wheel or archery bow, depending on the game.
Xbox 360 offers ‘Rock Band,’ a game in which players ditch the traditional gaming joystick for plastic replica music instruments. Players can emulate guitar rifts of their favorite bands by hitting color-coded buttons on the guitar’s neck to the beat.
Singers’ pitch and tone register and the game displays how well they follow the original song.
“It’s as close as people can get to being a rock star without actually being able to play an instrument,” Trout said.
Hoenke took the Wii system to a family function and persuaded his father, who had never used a computer in his life, to play alongside his 80-year-old grandmother.
“We want to get senior citizens involved so they can see video games are not a bad thing and can be used for positive community events,” Hoenke said. “And we want to get teens involved with the library so they can see it’s a fun, cool place,” Hoenke said.
“My 80-year-old grandma can’t lift an eight pound bowling ball, but she can bowl with the Wii remote,” Hoenke said.
Hoenke said Library Director Debra Poillon and the Library Commission have been very receptive to video games as part of local libraries’ community activities.
“We’ve become like a community center with so many programs using the latest technology,” Hoenke said.
“When I was younger the library was for school work,” Hoenke said. “Now it’s getting more high tech with movies, CDs, DVDs, audio books and games.”
“The Wii is the simplest and most user-friendly system to learn that I’ve ever seen.”
Gone are the days when you had to be well versed in gaming manuals to enjoy a video game showdown.
Hoenke thanks library employees Christopher Hunnicut, Jesse Ridge, and Michael Trout for being the driving force behind getting video games in the library. The library bought a Wii in January and has since been hosting weekly game nights on Mondays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Court House library. Hoenke said they have been a great success.
“Some may think video games are just reckless fun and doubt the educational and teambuilding values they can offer. Video games promote reading and storytelling,” Hoenke said. “Some games have large budgets that rival the film industry with big-named actors doing voices.”
Wii systems have a free online capacity where players can compete worldwide. The library may soon be able to offer an interlibrary tournament to play libraries in other counties, states and countries.
Trout speculates the Wii system is named such because it is conducive to group activities, hence Wii instead of Mii. Players can create a Wii Mii, a virtual character whose facial features you can tailor to reflect your appearance.
“This tour gives the community a chance to test the systems for free,” Hoenke said.
No registration is necessary, just show up from noon to 3 p.m. on:
•Aug. 25 at the Cape May City Library, Ocean and Hughes Streets, (884-9568)
•Aug. 26 at Lower Township Library, 2600 Bayshore Rd., Villas, (886-8999)
•Aug. 27 at Wildwood Crest Library, 6301 Ocean Ave., (522-0564)
•Aug. 28 at Sea Isle City Library, 125 John F. Kennedy Blvd., (263-8485)
•Aug. 29 at Upper Township Library, 2050 Route 631, (628-2607.)
Helpers will be available to instruct those who’ve never used a Wii remote.
The library has video game tournaments about four times a year in which winners get gift certificates or potentially have library fines lifted.
“Competing with strangers gives variety. The Wii system is expensive and often sold out; the library had to reserve a Wii in advance to get one,” Trout said.
Tournament competitors are able track their progress on the library’s gaming website and blog. The blog enables players to vote for tournament games, keep track of their stats and see new game announcements.
For more information visit http://cmclibrarygaming.blogspot.com
ltruluck@cmcherald.com