Monday 26 October 2009 at 11:40 am
Looking for something free to do together as a family? Use your library as the starting place for finding fun, free activites. If you have a Wii or Xbox 360, the West Bloomfield Township Public Library has plenty of video games to borrow for your family game nights. Check out the newest titles or revisit an old favorite. The video game collection at the West Bloomfield Library can add a lot to your family game nights.
Friday 14 August 2009 at 2:31 pm
There are many factors to consider in making that decision to buy a hand held or console video game systems. Hand held gaming systems are very popular right now and there are a number to choose from, but there's often a question of which would be better and for what reason. The same can be said for console game systems.
For more information about making that choice, a librarian at the West Bloomfield Township Library would be able to assist you in finding additional articles and information on the gaming system you're interested in purchasing.
Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 8:30 pm
This winter, leave those soggy mittens, scarves, and hats at the door. Wii Sports combines gaming, fun, and exercise that tweens and teens can experience from the comfort of their own homes (or library!) According to an American Council on Exercise study, 30 minutes of each Wii Sport burns the following amount of calories:
Wii Boxing burns 216 calories
Wii Tennis burns 159 calories
Wii Baseball burns 135 calories
Wii Bowling burns 117 calories
Wii Golf burns 93 calories
Middle and high school aged students are welcome to get their game on- and get a work out- during drop in gaming Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the library meeting room. In addition to Wii Sports, the library offers Super Smash Brothers Brawl and Mario Kart for the Wii and Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero III for the Xbox 360.
Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 8:27 pm
Did you know that 26 percent of Americans over the age of 50 game and that the average gamer is actually 35 years old? It is no wonder why adults game; videogames are known to improve problem-solving, concentration, and memory skills… and to help players strategize for a rematch with the (grand)kids. Compete and connect with other adults at the library’s monthly Learn to Wii sessions. If you're interested click "more" to see our upcoming sessions.
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Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 8:19 pm
In Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked, author and MIT Professor Henry Jenkins addresses what he considers to be the major misconceptions about youth gaming. Some of the assumptions are that gaming causes youth violence, that video games are just for kids… and just for males, that gaming is a solo activity that isolates the player, and that video games desensitize players to violence and inhibit emotional expressions such as empathy. Click "more" to read highlights from the article. To read the article in full, click the link above.
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Tuesday 13 January 2009 at 11:42 am
When most people think of video gamers they are likely to conjure up an image of a teen sitting in front of a TV screen playing a game. Teens are a large part of those who do game, but many adults game as well. According to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project Data Memo, "Some 53% of American adults age 18 and older play video games, and about one in five adults (21%) play every day or almost every day."
Older gamers are more likely to be avid gamers, and the older the gamer is, the more gaming they do. Again, according to the Pew study, "Older gamers, particularly seniors, tend to play games more frequently. Over one-third (36%) of gamers 65 and older say they play games every day or almost every day, compared with 19% of adults aged 50-64, 20% of adults aged 30-49, and 20% of adults aged 18-29."
If you're an adult and are wondering what all the gaming is about, the library offers open gaming on Wii and Xbox 360s on Wednesdays once a month. Also, if you, your children or grandchildren own a Wii or Xbox 360, the library offers video games for circulation in both the Adult and Youth Departments at both branches. Many games can be played and enjoyed by the entire family.
Lenhart, Amanda, Senior research Specialist, Sydney Jones, Research Assistant and Alexandra Rankin Macgill. "Pew Internet Project Data Memo." December 7, 2008. http://pewinternet.org/.
