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Teens Hit Library For Gaming |
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Wednesday, 01 April 2009 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — “Guitar Hero,” Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii were ringing throughout the St. Marys Community Public Library Tuesday afternoon as teens gathered for a gaming night.
Youth Services Coordinator Paula Drummond said the gaming started in the fall and has taken shape since the first event.
“It’s pretty much just to show teens the library is a cool place to come and hang out,” Drummond said. “It (turns) it into more of a community center than just a place to come and pull books.”
Drummond said part of the library’s long-range plan is to have more services and to function more as a community center to local residents.
“When they are here they can see we have games, CDs — more than just books,” Drummond said.
The gaming systems came from a donation made to the library. The library also received a copy of the popular “Guitar Hero” as a donation.
“It was instantly a success and we knew we needed more equipment,” Drummond said. “It’s not very much fun if you have 30 people and one person plays at a time. They were real patient though.”
Drummond praised Friends of the Library President Tom Teckman for supporting the program and encouraging the group to donate additional equipment.
The group purchased and donated “Guitar Hero,” “Rock Band” and an Xbox 360. Drummond said the group is thankful for the donation because now more students can play at one time.
For the past few months, Drummond said the kids have gathered twice a month, but with the warm weather approaching, she plans to hold the gaming once a month.
“We have an average of around 20 kids, in grades seven to 12,” Drummond said. “It’s been really good, we have a lot of the same kids, but we see kids at this program that we don’t see at any other program. It’s great for winter time, but the weather is getting nicer and it’s time to get them outside.”
Drummond said while the students have a wish list built of additional games and equipment they would like to have, as of right now, she said no additional purchases will be made.
There were only junior high school boys at the gaming Tuesday afternoon and without the high school group around, the ones who usually play Xbox had their chance to try their talents on “Guitar Hero.”
Seventh-grade student Drake Turner said he comes to the gaming events to play and hang out with friends.
“Mostly playing games,” Turner said. “It’s fun to come and just chill.”
Seventh-grade student Matt Geiger agreed with Turner and said it is fun to participate in the gaming.
“Sometimes I come without the games, too,” Geiger said. “I just come to hang out with my friends.”
After playing a few songs, or teaming up in “Ghost Recon,” the students decided to take a break from the action to grab a bite to eat.
The library also holds gaming for tweens — students in grades four through six — and adult gaming as well.
The next teen gaming night will be held from 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. April 21. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 April 2009 )
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