So, kids play blood-bath video games at the libraries now?

[Medieval Mom]

Sheesh! I visited our local library to pick up some books they had on hold for me last night. As I stood at the counter, I could see around me some dozen children, all of whom looked under the age of 10, playing GRAPHIC, VIOLENT games on the library's new computers.

 

I'm I the only one who finds this frightening/revolting/WRONG???? :mad:

 

Maybe I'm just an old fuddy-duddy, but I truly hurt for those children (and the librarian, who looked like she needed a long, hot bath--- no parents were in sight :eek:).

 

 

This is nothing but a rant.:rant:

[AnaShoo]

Okay, I know I haven't been living in the US for the last three years, so maybe things have changed, but I've never used a library computer that had games on it. If that's the case, that doesn't seem appropriate at all. Way too distracting for other people, especially if they are some of the shooter-types (and, really, why should other people have to be exposed to that if they don't want to?).

[mom2scouts]

I hate that our newly built library with a beautiful children's area has computers with games as soon as you walk in the room. I understand that they put them right in front of the children's librarian, but you have to go by them to get to everything else! I tell my children we are there for books and not to play on the computer, but there's always more children on the computers than in the book stacks.

[Night Elf]

I don't like that libraries have become media centers. I just really miss the good old days of stacks and stacks of books. I would give anything to see a library that looks like that, but it's not in my neck of the woods.

[Jpoy85]

Theres nothing the librarian can do to prevent it. The filters on the computers are more for porn rather than video games. The computers here have a 1hr time limit, but even that these kids can get around these days.

 

~~ My dad is a librarian and my uncle is a security guard at the library.

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

They just remodeled our library and there is a new video game system in the teen section right next to the children's section. It does seem very odd to me. I haven't seen any violent games, so far, but that doesn't mean there aren't any there. Why do they need video games at the library? They also put in junk food vending machines with this remodel. That bugs me, too.

[Violet Crown]

One of our big tech corporations recently gave the public library system computers running supposedly educational software for elementary-age children. The children's librarians hate them, but there's nothing that can be done. The games are lame and don't seem to teach anything - the children's librarian at our nearby branch was informed that the goal was to expose the youngers to 'mouse skills' - and they have huge screens with constantly flashing images and sound effects, so they're impossible to ignore. You used to come into an APL branch children's section and the kids would be reading or browsing the shelves - now they're all gathered around the d****d children's computer.

[Medieval Mom]

I don't like that libraries have become media centers. I just really miss the good old days of stacks and stacks of books. I would give anything to see a library that looks like that, but it's not in my neck of the woods.

 

:iagree: This particular library is TINY! With all the money spent on those new computers (not to mention the space), they could have hundreds more..., oh, I don't know...books? Yes, BOOKS!!!!!!

[Laurie]

I'll be voting no in the upcoming library levy in our city.

 

As long as the perverts viewing porn on library computers have more rights than parents visiting the library with their young children I'll continue to vote no.

 

If people want to play video games or watch porn on computers they should pay for it themselves and do it somewhere else.

[Miss Peregrine]

Oh yeah, and at our summer reading program you can come to the "video game club" and play video games to enter into the grand prize drawing($100 Target card) No reading necessary! :glare:

 

My Dd has been working so hard reading and some kid who just plays video games can win. That's carp.

[kalanamak]

This makes me happy I have just a teeeny branch of a very large system near me. The computers are silent and in one spot.

 

That said, most of the time I request something it comes via interlib loan from one of the local colleges.

 

E.g. The War Against Grammar

[BakersDozen]

If people want to play video games or watch porn on computers they should pay for it themselves and do it somewhere else.

Our library has tried (and failed) to have patrons who want to use the computers for gaming pay. I'd love to see that happen and I'd love to see the computers in the children's area GONE except for the catalog.

 

What I really love are the adults sitting at the children's area computers viewing things that really don't need to be seen by children. Not p*rn but violence, etc. :glare:

[Medieval Mom]

Okay, I know I haven't been living in the US for the last three years, so maybe things have changed, but I've never used a library computer that had games on it. If that's the case, that doesn't seem appropriate at all. Way too distracting for other people, especially if they are some of the shooter-types (and, really, why should other people have to be exposed to that if they don't want to?).

 

I wrestling with this now. The library is so very tiny, that there is no possible way to avoid seeing it everywhere. Really, it sounds (and looks) more like an arcade room than a library now.

 

I don't want my 9 yo, not to mention my 3 yo, watching pools of blood all around them (from what I could tell, many were playing a particularly violent "Swords and Sandals" game) while we're waiting in line to pick up our books. Yuck. :angry:

 

I guess I'll just reserve all my books online and pick them up in the evenings ourselves. This little library has GREAT interlibrary loan; but I'll be looking for another library/venue for us just to hang out around books. (Wish us luck!)

Edited August 3, 2012 by Medieval Mom

[ccmom]

I don't like that libraries have become media centers. I just really miss the good old days of stacks and stacks of books. I would give anything to see a library that looks like that, but it's not in my neck of the woods.

 

:iagree::iagree:

[ocelotmom]

Theres nothing the librarian can do to prevent it. The filters on the computers are more for porn rather than video games. The computers here have a 1hr time limit, but even that these kids can get around these days.

 

~~ My dad is a librarian and my uncle is a security guard at the library.

 

Why do you say there is nothing that can be done to prevent it? There are security settings/programs that can prevent unauthorized programs from being installed/run, and those are a very very good idea on any public access computer. It's a liability to the library, way beyond the blood and guts games, for people to have that sort of access.

 

Beyond that, there's no reason there can't be physically enforced rules in place. No games (or none except pre-installed educational games) is reasonable. No sound except through headphones (at a volume that can't be heard outside the headphones) is also perfectly reasonable.

 

I'm definitely sympathetic - we have some similar issues at our library that really bother me. But "nothing the librarian can do to prevent it" sounds to me like "doesn't care enough to prevent it", or maybe "doesn't have much technical knowledge and doesn't know it can be fixed and/or is unable to hire someone to do it."

Edited August 3, 2012 by ocelotmom

[besroma]

I don't like that libraries have become media centers. I just really miss the good old days of stacks and stacks of books. I would give anything to see a library that looks like that, but it's not in my neck of the woods.

 

:iagree:

[Dmmetler]

I'm to the point where Zi mostly just use holds and go in and gt a stack of books, or do digital checkout onto the iPad and DD's iPod from home. About the only good for browsing library in the area is the university one (hmm...I wonder what the CC library is like and if it's possible to get a card? It's much closer to home...)

[woolybear]

What really made me nuts was a few years back when I still wasn't numb to this. (We had NO screens in our house and very little exposure to such things.) Our kids were little then. We would go into the kids section and there was about 30 computers used by teens by there, at least half of which would have kids playing violent games on them. I said something to one of the librarians, thinking she would feel as I did---too bad this is what they are using the library for, if they are using computers they could be put to better use, what about the good old days of BOOKS? At any rate, she was clueless and defended it and seemed to think it was a good opportunity for these kids who might not otherwise be able to use computers???? Thank god they're not deprived any more.:001_huh:

[Mergath]

Wow. I would freak out. We have quite a large, nice library here, and there are two computers in the children's section, but they only have a few educational games on them, and they both have headphones that you have to use. Other than that, there's only books, and a small movie section tucked away on one side.

 

If they brought in loud, violent video games, I would definitely be setting up an appointment to speak with the children's librarian.

[Medieval Mom]

Wow. I would freak out. We have quite a large, nice library here, and there are two computers in the children's section, but they only have a few educational games on them, and they both have headphones that you have to use. Other than that, there's only books, and a small movie section tucked away on one side.

 

If they brought in loud, violent video games, I would definitely be setting up an appointment to speak with the children's librarian.

 

In this particular library, there is no "children's librarian", just a librarian. (When I wrote tiny, I meant TINY!) Thus, I wouldn't need to schedule an appt., just walk in during school hours (when school starts up again after Labor Day), and chat. I'll plan to do that. She's actually a really nice person, but I could tell that at my last visit, she was NOT in the mood to handle that conversation. Poor thing! ;)

 

I suspect she has no/little control over this issue. (That's the impression I got from her visible headache and frown of frustration.) Could anyone who works/worked for the library system clue us in on this issue?

[Medieval Mom]

What really made me nuts was a few years back when I still wasn't numb to this. (We had NO screens in our house and very little exposure to such things.) Our kids were little then. We would go into the kids section and there was about 30 computers used by teens by there, at least half of which would have kids playing violent games on them. I said something to one of the librarians, thinking she would feel as I did---too bad this is what they are using the library for, if they are using computers they could be put to better use, what about the good old days of BOOKS? At any rate, she was clueless and defended it and seemed to think it was a good opportunity for these kids who might not otherwise be able to use computers???? Thank god they're not deprived any more.:001_huh:

 

Yeah, that's the attitude toward CLASSIC LITERATURE that I got from one of the other local libraries we used to frequent. The children's librarian told me they were discarding the classics in favor of pop books that were "of higher interest" to the children. I asked her for a list of books she recommended (just out of curiosity) and immediately gave it back. Yuck. On the upside, we got several boxes of those discarded classics (of interest to my children at least :) ) at the library book sale for a lark! Hardcover Thornton Burgess, Andrew Lang, Genevieve Foster, sets of Landmark Histories... You know, those books that no one reads anymore because we now have Dora the Explorer in paperback! ;)

[vonfirmath]

One of our big tech corporations recently gave the public library system computers running supposedly educational software for elementary-age children. The children's librarians hate them, but there's nothing that can be done. The games are lame and don't seem to teach anything - the children's librarian at our nearby branch was informed that the goal was to expose the youngers to 'mouse skills' - and they have huge screens with constantly flashing images and sound effects, so they're impossible to ignore. You used to come into an APL branch children's section and the kids would be reading or browsing the shelves - now they're all gathered around the d****d children's computer.

 

I'm in Austin and my son LOVES those new computers. We go to the library to get books. We stay longer so he can play the games on the computer. Especially the logic ones. Wish we could get something like that for home. Used to be we'd only be at the library to pick up books and leave. Or go to storytime (but when the person doing it changed the new lady could no longer keep the kids' attention). Having a computer there doesn't change that we go there for books. But it does keep us at the library longer.

[Violet Crown]

I'm in Austin and my son LOVES those new computers. We go to the library to get books. We stay longer so he can play the games on the computer. Especially the logic ones. Wish we could get something like that for home. Used to be we'd only be at the library to pick up books and leave. Or go to storytime (but when the person doing it changed the new lady could no longer keep the kids' attention). Having a computer there doesn't change that we go there for books. But it does keep us at the library longer.

I don't doubt that. But down that road, we might as well put in all sorts of non-book entertainment. What's the point of being at the library longer in order to pursue activities that don't contribute to literacy? And which demonstrably detract from the ability of library users to read?

 

My kids would love it if each APL branch would bring in a pet goat for the children's section. But it would detract immensely from the purported mission of the public library.

[EmilyK]

Wow. I would freak out. We have quite a large, nice library here, and there are two computers in the children's section, but they only have a few educational games on them, and they both have headphones that you have to use. Other than that, there's only books, and a small movie section tucked away on one side.

 

If they brought in loud, violent video games, I would definitely be setting up an appointment to speak with the children's librarian.

 

That's what it is like in our branch in Portland. I don't find it distracting since it is silent, and the games on the children's computers are pretty low-tech and sweet early literacy games. I really don't blame parents who want to have one child do that while they focus on another child. There is a 30 minute limit too.

 

I know some folks want only books, but my kids learned so much from those pricy Schlessinger videos and the like -- I was grateful our library had a good selection.

[Deniseibase]

Wow. Y'all are making me feel really, really lucky!!! Our library has children's computers, in a separate room, and staffed by a librarian who makes you sign in and out. Very easy to avoid if we just want books. I sometimes let my son play games on the computer if we are there for my daughter's tutoring session - they have special little kid computers that just have reasonably educational games like Reader Rabbit and JumpStart. The computer policy of no violence or s*x is posted and lots of websites are blocked because of it, and since the computer lab is staffed, if something inappropriate shows up (because new websites are created every day after all, and no filter or blocking can know everything), the librarian will come over and inform the user that website is not allowed and take note of the web address and go back to her desk and block that site immediately. I have been assuming this was all fairly standard stuff - now I feel like I should go hug my librarians!!! :D

[Jpoy85]

 

Beyond that, there's no reason there can't be physically enforced rules in place. No games (or none except pre-installed educational games) is reasonable. No sound except through headphones (at a volume that can't be heard outside the headphones) is also perfectly reasonable.

 

I'm definitely sympathetic - we have some similar issues at our library that really bother me. But "nothing the librarian can do to prevent it" sounds to me like "doesn't care enough to prevent it", or maybe "doesn't have much technical knowledge and doesn't know it can be fixed and/or is unable to hire someone to do it."

 

My uncle is a security guard, he cant stand there all day at the computers watching and stopping the 12yr old from playing Modern Warfare while some 16yr old steals a DVD.

 

He can certainly say " hey you need to be doing something useful with your computer time "..but my uncle cant kick the teen off the computer.

 

This is for Hamilton Co Downtown Public Library. Maybe other libraries are different?

[Jpoy85]

I'll be voting no in the upcoming library levy in our city.

 

As long as the perverts viewing porn on library computers have more rights than parents visiting the library with their young children I'll continue to vote no.

 

If people want to play video games or watch porn on computers they should pay for it themselves and do it somewhere else.

 

The settings on the computers are suppose to prevent porn. I would get in contact with the library Director and tell them this issue... someone could be messing with the settings or maybe the library doesnt have it set up and if the director knows they can fix it.

[TranquilMind]

Sheesh! I visited our local library to pick up some books they had on hold for me last night. As I stood at the counter, I could see around me some dozen children, all of whom looked under the age of 10, playing GRAPHIC, VIOLENT games on the library's new computers.

 

I'm I the only one who finds this frightening/revolting/WRONG???? :mad:

 

Maybe I'm just an old fuddy-duddy, but I truly hurt for those children (and the librarian, who looked like she needed a long, hot bath--- no parents were in sight :eek:).

 

 

This is nothing but a rant.:rant:

Why, yes, they do! And at CHURCH! Ask me how I know...

[justamouse]

My librarians said that MOST of the people come in to use the computers, and it gets nasty. :confused:

[shanvan]

I don't like that libraries have become media centers. I just really miss the good old days of stacks and stacks of books. I would give anything to see a library that looks like that, but it's not in my neck of the woods.

 

Something like this....

 

http://librariesthatwork.blogspot.com/2010/09/st-johnsury-athenaeum-in-st-johnsbury.html

 

Most beautiful library I've ever visited, and I don't recall any gory games.

[Hannah C.]

Wow. You all are really making me appreciate the library I work at!!

 

To the poster who mentioned the really loud kids' computer: HEADPHONES are the answer. All of the computers in my library are set up so that the only way you can hear anything is if you have headphones. The pre-K/K game computers have headphones there; for all the other computers, you have to bring your own headphones - and have a valid library card with no fines, and have consented to a computer use policy.

 

The public access computers are *INCREDIBLY* important. I've had multiple people ask me how to do things as simple as *print documents* or *open Word.* We provide computers to people who would otherwise be unable to access them at all, and that is *VITAL*. However, we do have our share of teens on Facebook or playing games. I've seen very little violence, though I'm sure people view somewhat violent things. The way our computers are set up, you can't see the screen unless you're quite close - the desks are divided up by wood on 3 sides, like voting booths sort of. I do not think you can play any video games on our computers.

 

I would be extremely surprised if a public library actually *approved* of p*rn viewing - ours has filters to prevent that, and p*rn viewing is cause for immediate (and, IIRC, permanent) loss of computer privileges. If I saw that at any library I would notify a librarian immediately.

 

We also still have all the classic books, too, and we aren't an especially large library.

[redsquirrel]

The settings on the computers are suppose to prevent porn. I would get in contact with the library Director and tell them this issue... someone could be messing with the settings or maybe the library doesnt have it set up and if the director knows they can fix it.

 

Not all libraries do this. Many libraries believe it is not their job to sensor what people read/watch/listen to. Not to mention, they don't have the $$, staff or time to do so. In many communities, the public has spoken very clearly that they don't want the library to interfere with such things.

[Farrar]

I don't always love the media centers and the computer focus and so forth. I also go to the library to get books (and occasionally audiobooks or DVDs). My kids are not allowed to play on the library computers. Ours do have mandatory headphones rules (patrons must bring their own). And the computers are not usually in such a place where you couldn't avoid seeing the screens, but they are omnipresent in every part of the libraries and the library has, indeed, diverted funds and time to pay for it all.

 

BUT... my perspective comes from a place of privilege where we have computers at home, with high speed internet, and we can use them whenever we want. The vast majority of people, including kids, using the computers at my library system do not have that. Just like libraries a hundred years ago existed to loan books to people who couldn't afford books, libraries now need to provide this service, even if it's for entertainment (like the books). And it's often not for entertainment in the adult section - people need the computers to apply for jobs, find information, and even connect on social media among other things.

 

I think libraries need to find ways to change and grow but not lose the older stuff as well. In general, I feel like our library has a decent balance. Though I do kind of wish they loaned out cake pans. Anyone's library do that? I've heard of several that do. :D

[deltahotelfoxtrot]

The library at Fort Rucker has video games and movies you can check out, but not play in the library. Which I don’t have that much of a problem with, it was kind of nice for me living in a hotel I could go to the library for free instead of driving into town and visiting a blockbuster. However I do understand the frustration you are feeling.

Our church group went to one of those bounce house places about a year ago. One thing that ticked me off to no end was they had rows and rows of video game consoles, which kids sitting glued to the screen. I really do love those places because it’s easy to watch the kids, and the weather isn’t always nice for playing outside, but who pays admission fees for their kids to go to a place with the intent to run around and play and get some physical exercise, only to let their kids sit on their butt and play video games!?

 

Sorry just my little rant..... :rant:

[LucyStoner]

What I really love are the adults sitting at the children's area computers viewing things that really don't need to be seen by children. Not p*rn but violence, etc. :glare:

 

Here adults need to be with a child to stay in the children section. And I have seen librarians enforce it. You can walk in and out to get a book but you can't use the tables/toy area/kids computers unless you are with a kid. There are 4-10 kids computers per branch. All are headphone only and I have never seen a child play anything objectionable. We go pretty much daily as I find it smoother to have my son work on the subjects he doesn't like as much at the library. I keep meaning to get some headphones so that my little guy can click around on some preschool games occasionally. Sometimes coloring and looking at books does not hold his attention I my older son takes more than an hour for his work. I read I him of course, but I can't do that continuously since my older son needs help with something.

Edited August 4, 2012 by kijipt

[Medieval Mom]

Wow. Y'all are making me feel really, really lucky!!! Our library has children's computers, in a separate room, and staffed by a librarian who makes you sign in and out. Very easy to avoid if we just want books. I sometimes let my son play games on the computer if we are there for my daughter's tutoring session - they have special little kid computers that just have reasonably educational games like Reader Rabbit and JumpStart. The computer policy of no violence or s*x is posted and lots of websites are blocked because of it, and since the computer lab is staffed, if something inappropriate shows up (because new websites are created every day after all, and no filter or blocking can know everything), the librarian will come over and inform the user that website is not allowed and take note of the web address and go back to her desk and block that site immediately. I have been assuming this was all fairly standard stuff - now I feel like I should go hug my librarians!!! :D

 

Yep. Go hug those librarians and tell them how much you appreciate them!

[Medieval Mom]

Something like this....

 

http://librariesthatwork.blogspot.com/2010/09/st-johnsury-athenaeum-in-st-johnsbury.html

 

Most beautiful library I've ever visited, and I don't recall any gory games.

 

:001_wub:

[butterflymommy]

Our local library branches have basically turned into video game arcades. I have no problem with VGs or even violent VGs (within reason... I play WoW) but it just doesn't seem right to have libraries transformed into gaming centers. The internet revolution happened so quickly and there was a such a rush to get libraries "connected" that I don't think they foresaw this coming.

[butterflymommy]

At any rate, she was clueless and defended it and seemed to think it was a good opportunity for these kids who might not otherwise be able to use computers???? Thank god they're not deprived any more.:001_huh:

 

This is the only reason I'm conflicted as opposed to 100% opposed. Most of the children/ adults using the library computers are too poor to have one at home (or, they're homeless). So are we saying poor people shouldn't have access to certain things on computers/ the internet? Poor people should only be allowed to have noble pursuits online?

 

Don't get me wrong, I hate the video game use in the library but the truth is that 90%+ of the people using library computers are disadvantaged to some extent. (At least where I live.)

[Medieval Mom]

This is the only reason I'm conflicted as opposed to 100% opposed. Most of the children/ adults using the library computers are too poor to have one at home (or, they're homeless). So are we saying poor people shouldn't have access to certain things on computers/ the internet? Poor people should only be allowed to have noble pursuits online?

 

Don't get me wrong, I hate the video game use in the library but the truth is that 90%+ of the people using library computers are disadvantaged to some extent. (At least where I live.)

 

This may be true, but I don't see how playing violent (and I mean VIOLENT) games are going to be an advantage for these disadvantaged kids. I'm thinking the $$, time, and space could be more wisely spent.

[Luanne]

I had a parent get angry with me because I wouldn't let her son by a "Mature" game (very violent) because he wasn't 17. I thought he was about 12 and it turned out he was only 9. I don't know what she was thinking. Clearly she doesn't care at all what her son is exposed to.

[EmilyK]

I don't always love the media centers and the computer focus and so forth. I also go to the library to get books (and occasionally audiobooks or DVDs). My kids are not allowed to play on the library computers. Ours do have mandatory headphones rules (patrons must bring their own). And the computers are not usually in such a place where you couldn't avoid seeing the screens, but they are omnipresent in every part of the libraries and the library has, indeed, diverted funds and time to pay for it all.

 

BUT... my perspective comes from a place of privilege where we have computers at home, with high speed internet, and we can use them whenever we want. The vast majority of people, including kids, using the computers at my library system do not have that. Just like libraries a hundred years ago existed to loan books to people who couldn't afford books, libraries now need to provide this service, even if it's for entertainment (like the books). And it's often not for entertainment in the adult section - people need the computers to apply for jobs, find information, and even connect on social media among other things.

 

I think libraries need to find ways to change and grow but not lose the older stuff as well. In general, I feel like our library has a decent balance. Though I do kind of wish they loaned out cake pans. Anyone's library do that? I've heard of several that do. :D

 

Yes, not to take this too off-topic but I've been really involved with fundraising for our local library system. It was so easy for me to forget that most people don't have access to computers. Most of the adult computer users in our system are applying for jobs, doing continuing education, looking up financial information and the like. Librarians are helping people do their first on-line job application, check on their home foreclosure etc. (And we have wonderful children's librarians and a homeschool liaison too; it isn't all about that.) So I feel there is a real need for computers to ease the digital divide. This is not to excuse the libraries that have become video arcades, however.

 

I do think most people in our culture will learn to use a computer, but I have a friend who volunteers to go to 3rd world countries to teach people basic computer skills, and they know absolutely zero. Again, it would be nice if everyone would sit around reading recommendations from WTM or other highbrow things, but if I were doing that I wouldn't be posting here!

[Tammyla]

Visit my library and you will also find them playing them on a number wii and playstations. :tongue_smilie:

 

Sheesh! I visited our local library to pick up some books they had on hold for me last night. As I stood at the counter, I could see around me some dozen children, all of whom looked under the age of 10, playing GRAPHIC, VIOLENT games on the library's new computers.

 

I'm I the only one who finds this frightening/revolting/WRONG???? :mad:

 

Maybe I'm just an old fuddy-duddy, but I truly hurt for those children (and the librarian, who looked like she needed a long, hot bath--- no parents were in sight :eek:).

 

 

This is nothing but a rant.:rant: