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Gaming Collection Development

From the Ground Up

Jessica O’Connor, Adult Services & Reference

Anna Lee, Technical Services

Falmouth Public Library

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Come Get Your Game On

  • Building a gaming collection from the ground up
    • Objective
    • Support
    • Funding
    • Gaming vendor
    • Collection development
    • Space

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Objective & Support

  • Researching games
    • Academic papers
    • Online articles
    • Books
  • Local need
    • Cape Cod Healthcare Community Health Needs Assessment Report 2020-2022
  • Senior gaming collection
    • Cognitive, memory, and pattern recognition board and card games
  • Supervisor, Head of Adult Services & Reference
  • Technical Services
    • Purchasing
    • Collection processing, cataloging & loans
  • Circulation
    • Buy in from the circ staff
  • Youth Services
  • Administrative

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Funding & Gaming Vendor

  • Budget
    • Neighbors & friends
    • Pick-of-the-Litter swap
    • Donations
    • Grants
  • Local Community Grants
    • Businesses
    • Organizations
    • Banks
      • Cape Cod 5 Community Grant
  • Finding a gaming vendor
    • Cool Stuff Inc.
    • Miniature Market
    • Amazon
    • Local gaming store
  • Dark Water Games
    • Approved by the Town (W9)
    • Payment method
    • Tax exemption

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Collection Development

Librarian’s Guide To Games and Gamers reference book

Award-winning games� Mensa Select Games� Spiel des Jahres

Dice Tower lists & YouTube videos

Research articles on board games for Seniors

League of Librarian Gamers (Facebook)

ALA’s Games & Gaming Round Table

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TAGS

Ticket to Ride

Tsuro

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Grant total: $499.82

Azul

Calico

Codenames: XXL

Dixit

Hive

Letter Jam

Mille Bornes: The Classic Racing Game

Quarto

Sagrada

Shifting Stones

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Finding Space

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Leaving the catalog

Before the overhaul

  • 1 bib record
  • 20+ item records for various games
  • Text-only display in Encore
  • Available item types blur the distinction between Things & Games

An opportunity for change

  • How do we conceptualize our collection?
  • What assumptions can we discard?
  • What new compromises do we need to make?

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Assabet 101

The Assabet Library of Things module…

  • Embeds directly into FPL’s site
  • Emphasizes images & supporting resources
  • Creates flexible loan reservations
  • Uses 3 levels of item organization
  • Generates usage reports

falmouthpubliclibrary.org/services/library-of-things

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Organization in Assabet

Categories

  • Optional top-level organization

Object Records

  • Searchable description
  • Loan rules
  • Images & supporting documents

Inventory Records

  • Individual items identified by name & barcode
  • Branch location
  • Loan instructions

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Assabet for patrons

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Processing Overview: Sagrada

Comment cards for self-reporting

Use consistent label design

Goals

Minimize loss & damage

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Reduce burden on circ staff

Create collection�coherence

Our approaches

Reinforce & secure boxes�Bag & label parts�Archive manuals

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Going public

Approaches

  • Newsletter
  • Pamphlets
  • Social Media
  • Collaborating with local groups & organizations

Challenges

  • Attracting patrons to a new system
  • Coordinating holds vs. casual browsing
  • Overdue items
  • Missing pieces & replacements

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Wrap-up

Developing this collection was…

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  • An opportunity to rethink our approach

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  • Proof that you can’t plan for everything!

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Contact Information

  • Jessica O’Connor
    • Adult Services & Reference
    • 508-457-2555 x7
    • joconnor@falmouthpubliclibrary.org
  • Anna Lee
    • Technical Services
    • alee@falmouthpubliclibrary.org
  • Falmouth Public Library
    • 300 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540
    • https://www.falmouthpubliclibrary.org/

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Resources

  • Online gaming stores

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  • Gaming donation site
    • The Spiel Foundation

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  • Online gaming article
  • Librarian’s Guide to Games and Gamers
    • Library Journal article

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Resources Continued

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