eSports and Libraries

Description: Video/board/card games, eSports, and other activities can fill a library with fun and excitement. Playing games requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills and even offers opportunities for exercise and social interaction where libraries can be fantastic places to offer a variety of opportunities for their users to play games. Competitive video gaming, also known as eSports, is estimated to entertain and educate close to a billion people and potentially reach revenues close to $5.74 billion by 2030, according to market research by Quytech. Since the gaming industry is bigger than the film and music industries combined, it is a good idea for libraries to continue to pay attention to this industry while learning how they can rev up education, provide entertainment and social value, and share possible career opportunities.
In this webinar,
– Understand what eSports is and gain insight into why it is gaining traction;
– Learn how STEAM-related skill sets can enhance/diversify curriculum while offering possible career opportunities;
– Appreciate how video games and eSports can address social and civic issues; and
– Discuss best practices to bring an eSports program to your library.
Presenter: Chad Mairn
Chad Mairn is an Information Services Librarian, Assistant Professor, and manages the Innovation Lab at St. Petersburg College.
While an undergraduate studying Humanities at the University of South Florida (USF), Chad was awarded a Library of Congress Fellowship archiving Leonard Bernstein’s personal papers. During his Library and Information Science (LIS) graduate work, also at USF, Chad became a technology liaison between the Bill Gates Learning Foundation and Florida public libraries.
Chad also plays drums in two bands: Low Season and It Will Flood.