Peggy Revell
The Fort Frances Public Library has what probably could be called a s“Wii”t addition to its collection now that Nintendo Wii games are available for people to borrow.
“We’re changing with times,” head librarian Margaret Sedgwick said.
“We’re taking what was formerly our CD-ROM budget and putting it now into Wii because there seems to demand for that, and the CD-ROM games are almost impossible to purchase now,” she explained.
A handful of Wii games have been added to the library’s collection so far, such as “Wii Music,” “Mario Kart,” “Boogie Superstar,” and “Big Brain Academy.”
Youngsters already were able to give the games a go during March Break activities the library hosted this past week.
“Libraries are so much more than books these days,” Sedgwick stressed. “We provide information, we provide recreation, and it’s just an extension of services that libraries across Ontario are providing these days.”
With all this new technology, another change Sedgwick also is excited about is a provincial initiative that will let local residents download the library’s audio books from their own home computers.
“The Ontario Library Service North and SOLS, which is the southern component, are negotiating a contract with OverDrive books so that downloadable books will be available through your library on your computer at home,” she noted.
“You would go into the library website and check out a talking book, and you would be able to download and borrow it for a week, and download it within that time.”
“So it’s a really great opportunity,” Sedgwick enthused, noting more and more people are downloading both music and books these days.
“We’re just pleased that we’ll be able to offer that service.
“At the same time, because we purchased that, we can make copies for the library for those people that don’t have computers, or who want to play it in their car and still have CD players,” she added.
She said the ability to make copies also will be of benefit to the library because currently if a talking book on CD gets scratched, then the whole set is useless.
Formats continue to evolve over time, Sedgwick explained, noting audio books were first available on cassette tapes, then CDs, and now downloadable.
“And I guess the same thing with games. First of all, there was the CD ROM games and now there’s Wii games, and same with DVDs and videos.”
But many of these activities can be expensive for individuals or families to purchase, Sedgwick said.
“One thing about a public library is a public library serves the entire population,” she stressed. “Adding activities like Wii games, DVDs, and audio books to the collection means they can be shared throughout the community and accessible to everyone.”
Many of the children who were trying out the Wii games at the library during March Break never had had the opportunity to play them before, Sedgwick noted.
Meanwhile, the new games aren’t just for kids. The library is planning a “Wii Tii” on Wednesday, April 15 at 1 p.m. for seniors or “anyone who considers themselves a senior,” she added.
Libraries across the province, especially those in larger centres, have made an effort to bring these type of activities into their collection, Sedgwick said.
“We will continue to evolve,” she pledged. “Just because we’re a small town doesn’t mean we’re a small-town library.”
