Videogames at Libraries?

[8bitgamer]

I was at my local library the other day, and it brought back memories of the mid-late 1980s, when certain libraries carried NES games. I don't recall seeing any videogames in libraries prior to or after the NES, but I distinctly remember NES games at two different libraries. Anyone else ever check out (or at least see) videogames available at the library?

[BetaWolf47]

Actually, a library near me carries current gen titles for rent. It's free, but late fees are harsh ($2 a day I think). Other than that, I don't think I've seen any games for rent at libraries.

[Sparkster]

Yeah, my library has current gen games too - all 3 systems. 1 week loans. I'm still working on playing the games that I actually own.

[raptor94k]

The library in my home town carried both NES games and Genesis games back in the 90s. I can't remember if it ever had anything else.

[Coldguy]

My Library had some PS2 and Xbox title, nothing amazing but interesting to give a whirl.

[koster]

The Santa Clara County Library in the San Francisco Bay Area has numerous video games available for loan. Try a catalog search for 'Wii' or 'Playstation'...

Nice to see local tax dollars at work.

[j_factor]

Last I looked, my library had some PC games, but that was it.

[JohnnyBlaze]

Yeah, a town around here does. Dunellen. I have to go up there one of these days.

[CelticJobber]

The libraries near me don't carry videogames, hell they barely even carry any non-educational movies made after 1965. And just going by the usual shape of rental discs (scratched to hell and back), I'd be scared to even try a library-loaned game.

[phreakindee]

Around 1996 my local main library at the time in Winston-Salem, NC went through a sort of digital revolution. At the time all they had were early 80s computer terminals. As part of the upgrade to internet and such, a PC game and application area was set up. They all sorts of great Dos and Win95 games on CD there. Its actually there I was I introduced to some Lucasarts games for the first time, like the XWING series. Unfortunately it was abused and people stopped bringing the games back, and then CD-Rs became affordable and people just grabbed a bunch, copied them and brought them back that afternoon. Eventually they rarely got any new games, except for library staff. Thankfully I knew a head librarian and got some awesome games since they weren't at the library anymore

[The 1 2 P]

As far as I know the libraries around here never carry video games, but last year I posted a thread where more libraries across the country were about to start carrying video games.

[MissingNo_1231]

I have yet to see a Library around here that carries games.

And actually, I'm kind of glad. The state of their DVDs is so horrible, I'm almost certain they scrape them along the parking lot.

Games shouldn't be in hands of people who don't know how to treat them.

[Haoie]

Only new games at my local library.

Libraries really shouldn't even have games, right?!

[j_factor]

Only new games at my local library.

Libraries really shouldn't even have games, right?!

Any sort of media that can be arranged and catalogued is fit for a library, barring completely inappropriate content, such as porn (even then, a porn library is entirely feasible, but shouldn't be publicly funded).

[Aussie2B]

The libraries near where I live in New York are pretty ghetto, and I bet they still don't have anything other than books (with a lame selection of those too).

But my hometown built a huge, massively expensive new library just a few years ago, and while they don't have games, I've been taking advantage of their DVD selection all summer while on vacation. Honestly, even if they had games, I probably wouldn't bother. I got more than enough games to play, and I'm happy to drop money on them because I expect at least a few hours of entertainment if not a few dozen. I'm not so inclined to buy movies because I'll watch them once and probably take all eternity before I ever get around to watching them again.

[sebastiankirchoff]

At my libraries mini-store, they were selling some 90's PC games, and some early 2000's PC games too. Didn't buy anything, even though they were a buck each.

[The 1 2 P]

Although I seldom go to the library anymore, I'd definite consider it if they started carrying games. However, I can only imagine the horrible condition they'd be in after public use.

[Kid Ice]

Mine doesn't carry video games and I hope they never do. Libraries started carrying DVDs in a transparent attempt to boost circulation and prove their tax dollar worthiness. I'm not talking about Citizen Kane and Gone With the Wind....they carry movies like Transformers and TV shows like The Jeffersons. Real cultural milestones. I remember when the library was a sanctuary from all the cretins that congest the local shopping malls...now I can't go sit and read a book without being disturbed by a bunch of unruly, illiterate freeloaders.

[nhm]

Mine doesn't carry video games and I hope they never do. Libraries starting carrying DVDs in a transparent attempt to boost circulation and prove their tax dollar worthiness. I'm not talking about Citizen Kane and Gone With the Wind....they carry movies like Transformers and TV shows like The Jeffersons. Real cultural milestones. I remember when the library was a sanctuary from all the cretins that congest the local shopping malls...now I can't go sit and read a book without being disturbed by a bunch of unruly, illiterate freeloaders.

Heaven forbid the public library provide services to the general public, not just pinky upturned elitest snobs!

[Kid Ice]

Heaven forbid the public library provide services to the general public, not just pinky upturned elitest snobs!

Yeah they should serve beer and hot dogs.

It's not exactly elitist to expect a little calm, quiet, and decorum in a library (and a movie theater for that matter).