[Publib] Re: Video Game collection

Tue Nov 4 14:46:32 EST 2008

My answers are below in red.

>
> Hi all,
>
> My library is going to start circulating video games next year.  I was
> wondering for those of you who work at libraries that have this
> collection if you could answer a few questions for me.
>
> How did you decide which systems to carry games for? (If you used a
> patron survey could you please share that with me?)

We began carrying games at our Main Branch January of this year.  To choose
systems, I spoke with staff in the library who are gamers, out IT
department, and tracked sales statistics for the different systems.  In the
end we chose to carry Wii, X Box 360, Playstation 2 and Playstation 3.  This
has been so popular that with the beginning of the new fiscal year in July,
we added console games to our 2nd largest branch.  The only reason we did
not add them to the other branches in the system is a space and security
consideration.

>
>
> Where do you keep them?  Behind a circ desk, out on the floor?

We place the empty container out on the floor and keep the disc behind the
desk.  We also keep any peripherals (microphones, dance pads, etc...) behind
the desk.  At first we had the whole thing on the floor, however we lost too
many.  After about the 10th game found on the shelf empty, we pulled the
discs out and make everyone come to the circulation desk.  We do not just
hand the disc over.  The item must be checked out before we will give them
the disc.

>
>
> How many games do you have?
>
For the Playstation 2 we own 79 titles and 80 items.
For the Playstation 3 we own 66 titles and 71 items
For the Wii we own 150 titles and 174 items
For X Box 360 we own 131 titles and 136 items.
We add titles on a weekly basis.

>
> What is your lost rate on them?

As I mentioned before we lost too many items when they were out on the
floor.  Now that they are kept behind the desk, our loss is limited to the
titles that are checked out and not returned.  However, most of those
are sent to the collection agency and are either  returned or paid for by
the customer.

>
>
> Anything else that you think would be important for us to know while
> developing this collection.

It is extremely popular.  You can never have enough games on the shelf.  The
number of requests/recommendations from customers continues to rise.  Be
prepared that no matter what systems you collect, someone will always
request that you carry others--PSP, Nintendo DS.....

>
>
> Thank you for your time and wisdom.
>
> Kate McCartney
> Head of Youth Services
> Marysville Public LIbrary
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 10:03:20 -0600
> From: "Mary Soucie" <mjsoucie at wilmingtonlibrary.org>
> Subject: RE: [Publib] Popular & Bestselling Fiction - Shorter Loan
>        periods
> To: <publib at webjunction.org>
> Message-ID: <466DAF9EF2992C4C9D633E2E072FA1C765B2E9 at owa.palslib.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> We are a small public library also, serving 9229. (Although unofficially
> it's a little higher than that- not enough to merit a special census.
> :-) ) Our consortium "discussed" the category of browse for sometime.
> The discussions were passionate on both sides of the issue. We
> eventually added the "browse" feature, with specific guidelines. If you
> have only one copy, it may not be put in  browse. You must have at least
> half of your copies not browse.
>
> We tried the browsing option here and our patrons didn't like it. They
> didn't think it was fair that they took the time to place a hold, and
> someone else could come in off the street, and due to luck, get that
> book without waiting. Even if they were the lucky ones. We no longer use
> it but I know other libraries in our consortium still do.
>
> We also lease from McNaughton so that we have multiple copies of books
> without devoting shelf space forever.
>
> Mary J. Soucie, MLIS
> Library Director
> Wilmington Public Library District
> Visit the world @ your library(tm)
> 201 S Kankakee St
> Wilmington IL 60481
> (815) 476-2834
> mjsoucie at wilmingtonlibrary.org
>
> My blog: http://www.wplddirectorspot.blogspot.com
> <http://www.wplddirectorspot.blogspot.com/>
>
> IM me:
> Yahoo: wplddirector
> AIM: wplddirector
>
> Wilmington Public Library District is committed to providing excellent
> comprehensive service to its community.
>
>
> To: publib at webjunction.org
> Subject: [Publib] Popular & Bestselling Fiction - Shorter Loan periods
>
>
> Are there any small libraries (serving 15,000 or less) that have an
> 'express' program where bestseller and popular author books are checked
> out for a shorter time period then 'regular' books? If so, I would be
> grateful and interested to hear from libraries that are providing this
> service and the logistics (do you purchase, lease; how many in that
> collection; circulation, etc). Thank you in advance for your sharing
> your experience and/or wisdom!
>
> Regards,
>
> Polly
>
> Polly Bonnett
> Sierra Madre Public Library
> Sierra Madre, CA
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Carrie A. Herrmann
Public Service Coordinator

Boone County Public LIbrary
1786 Burlington Pike
Burlington, KY  41005

859-292-3387 (Phone)
859-689-0435 (Fax)

This week I am reading Tailspin by Catherine Coulter
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