Friday, October 17, 2008

Gaming in the library and on its shelves

Gaming in libraries continues to increase in popularity (see Using Video Games as Bait to Hook Readers). So what books do gamers want to read, or how can you find books with themes/characters similar to specific video games? Of course, many libraries offer gaming strategy guides, but some readers want to transfer the elements from their favorite game into a book form. Approach this as any other readers' advisory transaction. Here are a few steps:

1. Check your catalog to see if any books exist for the game title.

2. If you are unfamiliar with the game, ask the individual to describe it. This will give you information on the settings, characters, and objectives.

3. With this information, place the game into a couple genres or subjects and then continue your search from there.

If you're not a gamer or not familiar with the game or other media, there is no need to be intimidated. Consider a game's themes, characters, and storylines, as you would with a book, and you will be able to assist any gamer who comes your way.


Moby Games offers a helpful list of video games based on works of literature. The list of games can be organized by Game Title, Year, Publisher, or MobyScore.

Literature-inspired games

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