Nebraska State Auditor Goes After Library Gaming-All $500 Worth

Raya Kuzyk -- Library Journal, 02/25/2009

• Video of library commissioners playing videogames stokes controversy
• 11-page audit prompts 28-page response from Library Commission
• One online commenter opines: you can’t buy publicity like this  

A ten-minute YouTube video (embedded below) showing five Nebraska Library Commission employees assembling and demonstrating videogames has been the cause of much controversy and spilled ink—all over what the commission says was part of its attempt to draw younger users to the state’s libraries.

First, riled state auditor Mike Foley issued an 11-page attestation review enumerating what he called the commission’s “significant deficiencies” regarding approximately $500 of taxpayer money over an 18-month period.  

Audit concern
The audit stated, in part, that “the use of State equipment and employee time to demonstrate and play gaming devices, post photos and videos, or access virtual websites are questionable uses of public funds.”
 
On February 17, the library commission issued a 27-page response in its defense that concluded with the statement that it “continues to receive interest in the gaming equipment from librarians and will offer future demonstrations and training.”

The audit recommended "the Commission establish proper policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the videos and photos being posted on behalf of the Commission are approved and properly reflective of Commission activities prior to posting."

The commission responded, "Library Commission staff has checked internal communications and has confirmed that there was awareness and approval of the postings."

Media blitz
The Lincoln Journal Star and Action 3 News, among other new outlets, have both picked up—and largely sensationalized—the story. “How many state employees does it take to assemble a Sony PlayStation?” the Star article begins. “Five, apparently.”

Online, opinions are mixed. The Star article elicited 70 responses from online commenters, ranging from: “Why does the library need video games?” to “Less than $500 spent and look at all the publicity and news coverage from it—you can't buy a 30 second spot on radio for that.”

And Twitter feeds, too, have been running the gamut, among them: “The assumption that a librarian can create a game program but never have touched a game is like saying they can recommend a book without being able to read.”