Checkout The Arcade Age exhibit at the Central Library from September 27 to January 5th! This exhibit explores the history of video games through exhibits and gameplay, just as they were intended to be experienced - in an arcade!
The exhibit tells the story of video arcade games; from the pioneers in the early ‘40s and ’50s to the golden age in the late ‘70s and early ’80s to its crash, revival and ultimate decline in the ‘90s. It is a story of the creative and innovative people who explored groundbreaking technologies, the games that sprung from their ingenuity and a culture that was shaped by their developments.
All of the games are set to free-play. Twelve games will be stationed throughout the Library for play for all ages and will include unforgettable favorites like Q*bert, Street Fighter 2 and Joust.
Watch a tour of The Arcade Age from its home at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York.
Making Connections through Gaming
One of the roles of our Library is to encourage people to make connections with one another. What better way to do that than with video games?
Did you know that playing video games can decrease feelings of isolation by allowing people to travel vast virtual spaces while their real-world space might be restricted? Or that they can bring comfort and encourage collaborative thinking, along with building problem solving skills?
Check out these resources to learn more about making connections through gaming:
AARP Quiz: Find Out How Gaming Promotes Social Connections
10 Comfort Games the Encourage Kindness, Community and Well-Being
Video Games are Social Spaces: How Video Games Help People Connect
Upcoming Programs
Hybrid: Night with a Museum - National Video Game Museum
Tuesday, September 17, 7-8 p.m., Central Library OR Online
Thursday, October 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Central Library
Teen DIY : Mini Pinball Machine (12-19 years)
Wednesday, October 16, 6-7 p.m., Central Library
Teen Game Night : Pac- Man (12-19 years)
Wednesday, November 13, 6-7 p.m., Central Library
Tween Coding : Video Games (9-12 years)
Wednesday, November 20, 4-5p.m., Central Library
Book and Movie Recommendations
Movies
Wreck-It Ralph (PG)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG)
Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (PG-13)
Sonic the Hedgehog (PG)
Binge Box: Got A Token? (Various titles)
Picture books recommended for ages 5-8
Let's Play Monsters! by Lucy Cousins
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna
Playtime for Restless Rascals by Nikki Grimes
Chapter books recommended for ages 9-12
Ultimate Gaming Showdown by M.K. England
Trapped in a Video Game by Dustin Brady
Minecraft: The Shipwreck by C.B. Lee
Press Start: Super Viking Land by Thomas Flintham
Arcade World: Dino Trouble by Nate Bitt
Teen books recommended for ages 12-19
Gamer Girl: 25 Women Who Built the Video Game Industry by Mary Kenney
Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
Cat + Gamer, Vol. 1 by Wataru Nadatani
Game On!: Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, and More by Mary Kenney
Adult books
Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master : Pong, Atari, and the Dawn of the Video Game by David Kushner
Control Freak : My Epic Adventures Making Video Games by Cliff Bleszinski
Creating Q*bert and Other Classic Video Arcade Games by Warren Davis