Video Games at the Public Library

TL;DR

The Public Library often offers a host of resources beyond traditional books. Here I explore Video Games as one of those resources available at my local library and offer some Pro Tips to maximize its use for video games.

The Library – Inspiring Ideas

My local library has a stated mission to “prepare our community for a bright future by creating opportunities, empowering people, and inspiring ideas”. A laudable goal, and one likely shared amongst most libraries, whether explicitly stated or not. It first brings to mind books as the medium with which this is accomplished.

However, the breadth of tools with which the 21st century library pursues this objective is nothing short of amazing. My local library has a mind-boggling selection of resources available for loan. This ranges from Fishing Poles, Book Club Kits and Bike Pumps on the analog side of things and ending with tech-heavy selections such as Hotspots, Chromebooks and Roku Kits. Though certainly varying between libraries, chances are good that yours has a selection that’s more comprehensive than just your typical paperback.

And while we may remember books on tape and VHS being available on our last visit during childhood, did you know that Video Games may now be tucked away on those shelves?

The Best Deal in Video Games

Xbox Game Pass is often noted as the best deal in video games. In my opinion that assessment is hard to argue. Ranging from $9.99/month to $19.99/month for all the bells and whistles, it definitely offers an enticing value proposition. I’ve been a subscriber for years and would heartily recommend it.

But it’s hard to beat free. And that’s just what my library offers. I walked into a local branch several years ago to browse around on a Saturday while waiting for my family. Looking for nothing in particular and expecting to find the same. To my surprise, there towards the front lobby was a shelf full of video games. When did this happen? How had this not been available when I was a kid?

And how does this fit into what a library’s purpose is? I would never lament being able to check out a video game similarly to how my childhood friends and I would rent them for the weekend from our local video store. But now with the added benefit of free. I just didn’t understand it.

That’s when I circled back to our library’s mission of “inspiring ideas”. After all, isn’t a core facet of video games to inspire our imaginations and consequently ideas?

Even if you’re not one to typically search out a deal and instead are in a position to get any game you want on the faintest of whims, it’s always nice being able to try a game out before committing to a purchase.

Pro Tips

I do have some tips, however. All are based on my local library system, so your mileage may vary. But I think you may find some helpful advice here to more fully leverage available video game resources.

Use on-line search tools

• On a recent visit, my branch public library had a small but respectable assortment of video games available for walk-ins. Titles such as Splatoon 3 and Hogwarts Legacy were on-hand. That being said, the largest assortment of games was for PS4 and Xbox One, with almost as many Xbox 360, Wii and even some PS3 titles.
• The outlook changes however if you peruse the digital card catalog. My local library is one of 32 in its system. Accessing the on-line database, including video games, is as easy as entering my library card number and password. Now I’m able to see what video games are at each location and whether it is available or lent out. Current titles include Astro Bot, Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for PS5 and Xbox Series X. And I can borrow from any of these 32 locations.

Reserve titles and have shipped for pick-up

• Better yet, why drive across the county to get that copy of Star Wars: Outlaws. You may get there to find it was lent out. Best case, you spent 40 minutes on a round trip.
• Instead, reserve on-line and have the title shipped to your local branch for pick-up. If your public library system offers this service, it’s a great tool to get your favorite video games as effortlessly as possible. After finding what I wanted, with 2 clicks I can have it reserved and sent. If there are no copies currently available, I’m put into a virtual queue with a hold placed. So, when it does get returned, I’ll get the next copy respective to my place in line.

Be flexible

• Be prepared to wait for brand new and popular titles
  • Across my library system, many newly released titles have multiple copies. Astro Bot for example has 5 while Dragon Age: The Veilguard has 4 and 3 for PS5 and Xbox, respectively. And there is at least one copy currently available for immediate check-out for each of these and many other new releases.
  • Nonetheless, if you want a specific title, you may have to wait for it to be returned first. And having it shipped from a member library to my local branch usually takes a couple of days.
    • Try something you hadn’t thought of playing while you wait for the title you reserved. Or maybe borrow a quick read!
  • New titles are added often, and they do a great job keeping the selection very contemporary. Still, you probably shouldn’t go in expecting Day 1 releases.
• Don’t expect a slick on-line user experience
  • I would describe our library’s on-line interface as perfectly functional though not particularly user friendly.
  • You can’t go into a dedicated ‘Video Games” section or filter by platform. Which is fine if looking for a specific title but less so if you’re not sure what you’d like to play next. You can at least filter by Video Game once you’ve performed a keyword search of “Video Games”, but all-in-all it’s a bit clunky.

Submit a purchase request

• Is there an upcoming RPG that may be a bit obscure but will have a physical run? Perhaps an older title that’s still in print but doesn’t seem to have made it into your library? Reach out to your library’s collection development team to request procuring titles.
  • Our system makes it as easy as completing a short on-line form. While it’s no guarantee they’ll purchase it, taking their patron’s interests into consideration is important. My experience is that more often than not, they’ll find the desired media and add it to their collection. I even receive a note once it’s available.

See if you qualify for multiple library cards

• I’ve had a library card since childhood, good at any of 32 County branches.
• What I did not realize until very recently was that many library systems will issue you a card if you work or go to school in their territory, even if you live somewhere else.
  • I happen to work almost an hour away and 2 counties over. Requesting a new card was completely on-line. The only added requirement was that I provided proof of where I worked, which could be anything from a pay stub to an affidavit, of all things.
  • Now I have access to a whole different set of library resources. In my case, their system offers the same Reservation and Ship-To tools that my home system does. I simply have titles sent to the branch closest to where I work and pick-up/drop-off from there.

Check It Out

If not yet apparent, then let me be clear. I can’t recommend enough finding out whether your public library offers video games for loan. If they do, it’s just too good of a deal to pass up.

So dust off that library card and see what’s available.