Librarian’s Guide to Games and Gamers: From Collection Development to Advisory Services

Games and gaming have been a part of library collections and services for a long time now, but there are still many librarians just learning about this viable media. Goodridge and Rohweder (liaison librarians, Wilfrid Laurier Univ., Ont.) have created an excellent source for librarians seeking more information on board games, card games, role-playing games, video games, and more. The authors offer a thorough understanding of the basics and tried-and-true wisdom—for instance, in their section on programming—but they also build beyond that and explain how librarians can apply their readers’ advisory skills when recommending games to patrons. Goodridge and Rohweder cover collection development and programming and also spend a fair amount of time addressing different types of gaming personalities. They close with an extensive guide to gaming hardware, genres of game play, content ratings, and even suggested titles, which are exhaustively annotated. The book’s accessible writing and strong organization offer entry points even to librarians who might be overwhelmed by this potentially daunting topic.