Hi there. I'm Liz Danforth. I'm going to be your new games guru on this blog and, beginning with the May 15 issue, in LJ's pages as well. Shawn McCann has bowed out to pursue other matters, and I wish him the very best.

My bio is straightforward, but to give you a more complete picture of who you’re going to be hearing from here, I’ll talk a bit about me and what I have planned (*insert evil laughter here*). Then I’m going to let some of my friends and colleagues get in a few words.

I have been a gamer since the rocks were cooling and dinosaurs were only a fishy wish. I was in college when Chainmail came out. (Quick! Name the game it morphed into! That’s right, Dungeons & Dragons.) I was a maverick; I played Tunnels & Trolls instead, eventually editing, writing, and illustrating the 5th Edition. I have spent almost 30 years working in the game industry, mainly illustrating for nearly every paper & pencil game out there, but also writing, editing, and doing some game development. No Luddite, I was one of the people who worked on Interplay’s Wasteland computer game, and later on several Star Trek licenses and the strangely well-loved MeanTime. (Strange, because it was never released. Vaporware usually doesn’t even make it to public consciousness.) I painted about fifty pieces of card art for Magic: the Gathering, did even more for Iron Crown’s Lord of the Rings collectible card game as well as plenty for other ccgs. Honestly, I can’t remember all the work I’ve done over the years.

Most of my time freelancing I’ve also worked in libraries as a part-time paraprofessional. I love freelancing but it’s lonely. I like being around people and I truly love libraries: literate and curious people, engaging co-workers, and a genuinely meaningful mission to make a difference in one’s community. I finally broke down and went to library school, completing my MLS in 2008. I have been amazed and delighted to find my first career intersecting with the sea change sweeping through today’s libraries: many libraries are holding regular gaming events, ALA Anaheim (2008) had an entire area for gaming-related vendors, and Verizon Foundation has seen fit to fund ALA with a $1M grant in support of literacy and gaming. (I’m one of the folks on ALA's team of “grant experts.”)

What do I hope to bring to LJ’s readership, here and in print? A deep background to understand games, gaming, and gamers, in and out of the library. Different ways of looking at gaming programs in libraries. The intersection of literature and games, authors and gaming. I’ll look at what people get out of games, what people learn and what games teach, overtly and under the radar alike. I’ll consider the popular press and the academic work done on games and gaming. If something hits the media news channels, I’ll check it out and get with you on it. I’ll advocate for gaming but never turn a blind eye to the criticisms of games either. In fact, my first non-introductory blog post will be “Why Games?”

Mostly you’ll hear me yack. I’ll have guests and I'll interview interesting folk. I’ll bring word from savvy reviewers who know about the areas of gaming I’m weak on. For now, I’m going to turn over this introductory blog to some of my friends and colleagues who know me and my work. Let them give you an idea what to expect from me.

Liz is an integral part of our Emerging Tech team at Pima County Public Library. Without her, we'd all be lost when it comes to libraries and gaming. We were thrilled to have her write the gaming portion of our library's statewide 23 Things program called Baker's Dozen: Learning 2.0 Arizona.
—Jen Maney, Virtual Library Manager, Pima County Public Library (Tucson)

Liz Danforth has been one of the great unsung editors in the industry. Her keen insights and abilities will bring a new perspective to this forum. I have worked with her on multiple pursuits and never had reason to criticize her. I have always enjoyed working with her over the years. This forum is extremely lucky to have a person of her capability involved with it.
—Dave Arneson, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, and professor emeritus (retired) with a Masters degree in computer game design

I was Liz's mentor at Phoenix Public Library when she received her Urban Libraries Council scholarship. She was beginning the program when I suggested she combine her prior gaming experience with Library Science. Everyone needs something to distinguish themselves in this very competitive field. She managed to do more than just "distinguish" herself from other applicants.
—Denise Birnbaum, Assistant Manager, Digital Services Department, Phoenix Public Library

I've known Liz since 1984, and can certainly attest to her experience in the science fiction/fantasy and gaming industries. She brings to the table a significant knowledge base of the subject at hand, and her enthusiasm for it is unflagging. She cares deeply about the challenges facing libraries today,  and will no doubt be a great ambassador.
—Jennifer Roberson, author of the Cheysuli and Sword-Dancer Series, and the recent Karavans universe (www.cheysuli.com)

Liz, above all, is generous: with time, with information, with her perspective. She readily shares information, and her many years in the gaming industry give her a unique voice and perspective amongst gamer-librarians. I'm really looking forward to hearing the results of the survey she's working on, about transference of real-world skills from World of Warcraft. Giving back to the profession through research is just one more example of Liz's benevolence.
—Beth Gallaway, library consultant and trainer, and author of Game On! Gaming at the Library (Neal Schuman, May 2009)

Liz is a tenacious learner and an intrepid teacher. She is at her best exploring possibilities and being open to exploration.
—Cindi Holt, Adult Services Coordinator, Phoenix Public Library

As a bit of background, Liz Danforth goes back to the earliest days of hobby gaming. She and I shared dueling business cards over the years -- "artist, writer, editor, game designer" and we often worked together on projects in our various roles. Given her varied experience, she brings a unique triple perspective to the topic of games, as a creative developer involved in role-play and computer games from early days, as a passionate player and consumer of games, and as a librarian who understands that to serve a diverse clientele, libraries need to stay current with changing trends in information and entertainment.
—Paul Jaquays, Artist and Digital Game Developer, Guildmaster for the Guildhall at SMU (http://www.jaquays.com; recent projects include Halo Wars, Age of Empires)

Liz's excitement for serving youth in the most fun and educational way in public libraries shows through with her passion for gaming!
—Gina Macaluso, Youth Services Coordinator, Pima County Public Library (Tucson)

As an avid fantasy role player and game designer myself, I have known Liz for ... forever?  Well, maybe not that long, but long enough.  Anyway, whoever asked Liz to run this blog about games, gaming, and gamers could not have chosen a better person to do it. Welcome to the new gig, Liz. Break a leg.
—Dennis L. McKiernan, author of the Mithgar series, the Faery series, and other works (www.mithgar.com)