COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

QUESTION NO.11

QUESTION: Councillor D. Ó Brádaigh

To ask the manager for a list and breakdown of the type of video gaming on loan offer at our public libraries, what percentage of overall software this represents, to outline the rationale for stocking 'video games' (often extremely violent in nature), and to ask what screening measures are in place to ensure any material not suitable for children is not accessed?

REPLY:

South Dublin Libraries have included computer games in our lending collection for over 15 years. We currently have a stock of approx. 2,800 games, which amounts to less than 1% of our total collection.

As with DVDs, computer games are categorised by age using the Pan-European Game Information rating and can only be borrowed by library members with the appropriate category of library card, which for all members under the age of 17 requires parental permission.

Access to online gaming in the libraries is restricted by our child security measures in place on our PC’s. The only other access to computer games in the library are limited to hublets which contain games that have been chosen by staff and are not online games beyond the fact that they need the internet to work but have no social element to them. Any console game events are strictly offline as these computers cannot have access to the internet in the branches due to the limitations of the staff wifi networks.

So, why do we stock computer games?

Meeting user demands: We aim to meet the diverse needs and interests of our members. Computer games have gained immense popularity and are a significant form of entertainment and leisure for many people.

Promoting digital literacy: Libraries play a crucial role in promoting digital literacy and providing access to technology. Computer games are a part of our digital media and technology offer. By stocking computer games, we provide another way for users to engage with digital technology and enhance their digital skills and literacy. It should be noted also that these games are expensive and so unaffordable to many in our communities. As with other forms of technology, we have a role in closing that digital divide.

Supporting educational objectives: Many computer games are designed to be educational or provide valuable learning experiences. Libraries recognise the educational potential of certain games and include them in their collections to support learning and skill development. These games can cover a wide range of subjects, such as history, science, mathematics, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Some examples include flight and farming simulators and Minecraft.

Promoting social interaction and community engagement: Multiplayer or cooperative computer games can encourage social interaction and community engagement. When we organise gaming events, tournaments, or clubs where individuals can come together, play games, and interact with like-minded individuals, we do so to promote community engagement, socialisation, and collaboration among our members.

Broadening cultural and recreational offerings: Libraries aim to provide a wide range of cultural and recreational resources to engage our members. They broaden the library's collection to include interactive and immersive experiences for users. They form part of a diverse collection of service offerings provided, which includes other technologies (3D printers, magic tables, sensory regulation spaces, etc.) as well as board games, Lego sets, musical instruments. These services are provided in a space where books remain the single largest element of our collection, and they are provided to act both as a gateway to our book collection, and in recognition that our members learn, relax, renew, and interact with each other in different ways. It is our role to provide our communities with those means.

Ultimately, we are here not just to provide educational material but items that people enjoy as well, which is why we’ve stocked DVDs, CDs etc. Games are interactive entertainment.