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82 Comments
- BloodShed, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Here in Denmark you could go the the library an lend games (since 1998)
- rikrak, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1My (then) local library in the North of the UK started doing this around 1985...I'm sure it wasn't the first.
- totalshredder, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1My library has done this for years. The games usually suck though, and are older, but they're still there for $1 a week.
- terrya64, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1There was a place in the town I lived in last year that rented pc and consoles games. It was like $4.00 for 3-4 days.Excellent way to try games before burnin.. I mean buying
- WillyWonka, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1My local library (Just outside of Toronto) already does this. It's mainly educational games and barbie stuff.
- elbuzzard, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Contrary to popular belief, libraries aren't around just for education. They are also responsible for the spread of culture. And video games are most definitely part of our culture.
- Ozmotear, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1There are already libraries that do this. I know people who got their Dreamcast collections that way.
- Aooogah, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Politicians fueled by money laundered from Viacom will inevitably shut this down by decreasing the library's funding.
- joeyjojo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"
I for one fully support the lending of video games, even though it will cut drastically into the commerical "video game rental" industries profits... especially if it became mainstream."
Libraries have lent books and movies for decades. Hasn't seemed to hurt Barnes and Noble or Blockbuster. - Eraser, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Does it really matter if they did it when you were a kid? Is there something wrong with your playing video games now?
I don't think the fact that you are an "adult" prohibits your having a library card, and highly doubt that it would prohibit your being able to rent the video games from the library. - ctb10, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1In response to:
Does it really matter if they did it when you were a kid? Is there something wrong with your playing video games now?
I don't think the fact that you are an "adult" prohibits your having a library card, and highly doubt that it would prohibit your being able to rent the video games from the library.
Um eraser: Maybe he's referring to the fact that as a kid it would have been nice to be able to check out videogames for free when one is likely to have less money at their disposal to spend on videogames. - o0joshua0o, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1How do they prevent the discs from getting scratched up? That's often a problem when I rent video games from Blockbuster.
- kiefer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1similar to a story from 2 weeks ago, but that was in sweden. will it fly here?
- fanboy00, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1yes, then all the cool kids will start going to the library. the library will be the next "it" place.
- Henwood, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I live in Bath, England and my local library already lends console games and has done so for years.
- ThisGeek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This is already happening everywhere. It's not being done very well, but just about every sizeable library in the UK I've been into has a selection of games.
Noone Lives Forever, Alpha Centauri, Midnight Racing..... - FullMetalMonkey, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2If I lived there I would rent a bunch of games and make a ton of copies of them!
Diggidy Diggidy Diggidy Digg! - Reddog_x2000, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1wjglenn
I suppose I could argue that the $ being spent could be used for books. Or, I could that taxpayer funds will pay the staff that will handle the games. But, I'm not gonna be that petty. I guess it's ok if taxpayer dollars don't pay for the games themselves. - nerdboy1987, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1My library has lent CD-Rom based software including tons of children's games and some adult games like Age of Empires, since about 1997. My library also rents DVD's and VHS tapes of educational movies, and tons of mainstream entertainment movies as well. It has done this since before I can remember (I am only 18). In addition to renting all those things it also lends children's toys, not cool battery powered stuff, but wooden toys.
BTW it also lends music Cd's.
Rental of everything is free, just like you were renting a book. However the fee for a late DVD is $2.00 a day.
http://www.harf.lib.md.us/ - andreo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The Chicago libraries already did something like this years ago. I was in high school when they loaned out games. I don't remember what system they were for (I want to say the C-64 or Vic 20, I just know that they were not carts). Also if I remember correctly (it's been 10 years since I've walked into a library, and 5 years since I've lived in Chicago) some of the Chicago libraries loaned out movies, music cd's, music tapes, and some other stuff that I can't remember right now but I thought it was strange that they would have such items available for loan.
- badminus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I may be a bit late to the party, but (enter childish voice here) my library lends video games too and has done for years and years... I've not rented one though, they're all PS2 and that's the one system I dont have!
Educational games? Pah! My library snorts down its nose at such folly. It doesn't need to dress up pure unadulterated video game action as something virtuous and noble! No, and while you're at it, check out the totally comprehensive world cinema section in the DVDs. All those crazy delicious mindlessly violent, "splatter dont matter" Japanese films that geeks and fanboys love so much.
I just makes you wanna rub chilli oil in your eye. - degree, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I live in the suburbs so this place can't be more than an hour or two away. Someone is going to be burning a lot of ps2 fighting games to their hard drive this week...
- Mezora, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0my library have done this since i was 11 or something like that.. even new games, pretty kewl
- kablaaamo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0It's been said time and time again....but hey! I live in a pretty small town and our library has been lending games, especially PC games, for as long as I can remember (as well as music, movies, and shockingly enough, books.)
There are actually a ridiculously large number of kids here that frequent the library, and even though there are games/movies....most come for books and music, the more traditional library offerings. I'm partially in charge of picking what the library orders for music. Oh, the power.
The great thing is that educational games aren't the only ones available, although they are if that floats your boat. I first got GTA from the library. :) - belchar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This is so common that I was surprised it was a news item. Most libraries, except the smallest ones, that I've been to have been lending games, CDs, DVDs, and videotapes for at least the last 3 or 4 years.
- mcarolan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0All UK librarys have been doing this since I can remember
- p5ychop3nguin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0sorry about the dbbl post but chad, you're right. the aadl game tourneys rock. Do you live in A2?
- Digital.Totem, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0It's the sharing of entertainment. It's a good idea. Books, movies, and video games are delivered in a different format, but they are all entertainment and should be shared in an equal capacity. Children shouldn't be made to only read, nor should they be allowed to only watch TV or play games.
- Menoats, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This is totally cool cause I live right near Park Ridge so I think I'm going to be visiting the library more now. Lets hope they don't have ***** Kids games only.
- regedit2D, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0My library has done this for about 5 years. They don't have next-gen games yet, but they probably will soon.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This isn't new. You can rent PC games at my friend's library.
- Thorpe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0My library has been doing this for years too. Never update the catalogue though.
- Abyss_908, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Libaries and technology never mix. I live in the Chicago suburbs. The library here just got DVDs like a year ago. I think they would get first generation PS1 games by the time the PS3 comes out.
- yellowbuddy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I'm on the Young Adult Advisory Board of our local library, and we're thinking of doing this. It'd be awesome.
- brandonb, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0My library has been doing this for about four years, so this isn't so cool. But what the hell I "digg" it anyway.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I haven't been to a library since I was a kid (so it has been about a dozen years), but the last time I went to our local library it had been renovated. And by renovated, I mean it was completely demolished and rebuilt from the ground up at the cost of $20million. The finished library held LESS books than the original. But they added computers and lots of open space and bigger windows and artwork. What a waste of money. Now they're going to offer videogames? Why not offer porn DVDs while you're at it? I mean, if you're just sort of ditching the whole literature/persuit of knowledge aspect of a library and turn it into a giant media Wal-Mart...
- Avogadro65, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I remember checking out Rambo for my NES at the local library way back when (Birmingham, AL)
- 1ivewire, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Cool I live like 15 min from there. Gonna have to get me some free XBox games.
- webcrumb, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Another 'old, old, old' comment... Carlisle Library has also been doing this for years. It started with PS games and PC software. They also have CDs, MCs, DVDs and VHS tapes (hmm, maybe I should call them VTs :), and have had for years... each ever since the technology became commonplace.
@ various. You mean people never copy any of the things they borrow from a library? - saddad, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Been to a lot of California libraries that have been doing this for a while (many many years).
- kevinski, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I can't remember where it was (either Indiana or North Carolina), but I seem to recall being able to borrow music cassettes from a library. I seem to remember my brother borrowing a Genesis cassette.
- andyd273, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0My library has done this for a while too. Free rentals, but most of them are educational.
I don't see it as being a problem. after all, they also do DVDs and books, and those are copyable too if that's what anyone is worried about.
Personally, if its not worth paying for, then chances it's not worth copying either, so I'd just rent it, beat it, take it back. Still saving myself $30-$50+ to buy it. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Wow I never heard of games being available from libraries. Its hard to imagine in this day and age, with all the copying issues. Plus I'm pretty sure things like that are for personal use. For example, a movie theater can't just buy a DVD at walmart and show it over their digital projector for hundreds to see. Maybe libraries are given or purchase certain licenses. I'm still surprised.
- fortezza, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Though, truthfully - I don't really see a "reason" for public libraries to begin allowing video games to be rented... it just doesn't seem to me as though it is something that is meant for a library, even though it would be awesome.
Eraser posted by Eraser (0) at 09:31 AM
Think of it this way. Libraries now provide access to 'Media', not just books any more. Video games can actually have educational value, even when they are designed to entertain. Story-driven RPG type games come to mind. Ones where you are faced with moral choices, get to see cause/effect of your actions, learn economic/social strategies, too. They also serve ( in my opinion ) as archives of our culture, of which video games are also a part. You will notice after various world events ( Gulf War, Iraq Invasion ) that video games come out that are related to them. So if you "check out' games from a certain era, you can learn about that era..make sense? Heck, I've picked up some German from a WW2 game I played last week, and afterwards I purchased a German language program to learn more.
Not all games meet the criteria I mentioned above, so I would think a library would establish a list of criteria on its own, and use that to decide if a game should be purchased or not.
Pacman should definitely be on the list :)
- SelfAppointedMe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Guess I'm gonna have to join the rest of you people in saying that a couple libraries around Indiana where I live have been doing this for years as well
- p5ychop3nguin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0My labrary gives out those game demo discs that come with pc gamer and computer gaming monthly.
- sock2828, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Finally
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0They've done that for years here in New Zealand
- thesecretpath, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0it would feed so nerdish going to a library and asking for a game...
- HiddenPeanuts, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0the Ann Arbor public libraries have an amazing gaming program. Season-long mario kart and DDR tourneys, they draw huge crowds and are really professional looking.
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