Public Play: Gaming, VR and AR at the library
We hosted Public Play: Gaming, VR and AR at the library online event on Tuesday 29 August 2023 with Public Libraries Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s Digital Innovation Futures Initiative.
A growing number of Victoria’s public libraries recognise the value of public play and gaming as opportunities for education, socialisation, fun and engagement across a range of demographic groups. This webinar showcased a range of digital gaming programs delivered through public libraries, highlighting the broad outcomes in terms of learning, health and wellbeing, and social connection.
Attendees heard from Angela Savage, CEO – Public Libraries Victoria, who moderated the Q & A with Committee for Melbourne CEO Mark Melvin.
The Committee thanks our brilliant panellists:
- Philip Minchin, Acting Service Delivery Team Leader – City of Melbourne Libraries
- Felipe Jeges, Children and Youth Services Librarian – Kingston Libraries
- Victoria Rogers, Children’s Librarian Feelix Library – Vision Australia
- Jonathan Salmon, Library Communications and Promotions Officer – Port Phillip Libraries
Insights shared included how to use playful tech to connect communities, benefits to hosting Minecraft programs, hosting online games for people who are blind or have low vision, and rocket science at the library.
Public libraries provide a safe space for community members from all walks of life to try something new in terms of digital gaming: in a 2022 survey of over 34,000 library users, 92% said they feel safe at the public library. Digital gaming in public libraries gives community members access to opportunities and equipment that might otherwise be inaccessible, unaffordable and/or somewhat intimidating.
This event is sponsored by the Victorian Government as part of the DIF2023 Festival which runs from 23 August to 6 September. The DIF is an initiative of the State Government of Victoria delivered in collaboration with a network of partners and is open for everyone to get involved.
