Dear Dean Ogburn:
On July 2, 2015, a story was posted on the Belk Library Tech News Center’s website announcing that Belk Library had opened a game room in which students “will be able to check out and play video games.”
The article opened with the following question: “Who says the library is only for reading and studying?”
As members of the Appalachian State University community, we find the opening of this game room in Belk Library to be deeply offensive and contrary to the goals of our university—and indeed, to the mission of higher education as such.
The university exists to create knew knowledge, challenge received wisdom, and develop our highest intellectual potential as human beings. We know that there are forces in our culture that reject these values. The mission of the university, however, is to challenge these trends through its relentless commitment to the principle that knowledge is inherently valuable. It is a sad day indeed when a university succumbs to the very tendencies they are intended to resist.
Since 1899, Appalachian State University has, in its various incarnations, provided the residents of Watauga County, North Carolina, the nation, and the world with countless opportunities for intellectual development. The university’s mission statement correctly states: “Appalachian faculty model discriminative minds, physical and emotional wellness, and a dedicated work ethic.” Opening a game room in a building that lies at the heart of our academic endeavors trivializes these noble goals.
Appalachian State University is fortunate, moreover, to have an outstanding library and first-rate library staff. Our librarians are professionals who play a central role in the education of our students. Introducing a game room belittles their crucial work.
“Who says the library is only for reading and studying?”
We, the undersigned, do.
Please close this room and help the university fulfill its core mission.
Updates
October 1, 2015
I have submitted a formal request for a meeting with the Dean to discuss the academic mission of the library. We are currently drafting a letter to the library board to outline our concerns regarding the allocation of study space.
Reached 100 supporters
October 1, 2015
112 Comments
Like any great book or film, a great game is a work of art. I, for one, am enthusiastic to see this exciting, interactive media added to our library's extensive collection.
I could see this in the Student Union--but not in the library. Couldn't we find a use for these resources that would better advance the academic mission of the library?
There are gaming rooms located in the student union right next store, and the student union has just undergone a significant expansion. If more gaming space is needed perhaps it should be found there, not the library.
I'm an alumnus who frequented the library and this is very disheartening to hear. Libraries are the last bastion for the free, unmonitored exploration of knowledge in the digital age. This space should be available for a distraction free pursuit of knowledge. A game room belongs in the student union. Please reconsider this decision.
This is not what libraries are for and this is not what students spend tuition for. There is a game room in Appalachian State University's student union for this specific purpose. The library IS only for reading and studying. This room is an affront to students and the amazing library staff at ASU
After reading through a majority of these comments it seems as though certain members of the History department feel the need to govern the activities, services, and direction of all departments on campus. An organizational structure exists in each department for this reason. In a healthy society there should be disagreement and consensus it is the foundation of democracy, but when certain individuals feel compelled that their behaviors and beliefs trump all others then a dictatorship rears it’s head. When the library moved to it’s new space along came a new direction with the addition of an Information Commons. In order to evolve and fulfill the vision of a learning commons the library must adopt new trends, spaces, and methods of research. Ultimately the campus as a whole will be the judge if particular services such as the game room are needed and the library will make decisions based on assessment and research rather than assumptions.
This petition was brought to my attention shortly after it was created, and since then I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the game room and the arguments opposing it. These are my thoughts: I find it disappointing that so many members of the history department are opposed to the creation of a game room in the library. As a history major and an education major, I believe video games can have a beneficial role in the study of history, as well as other subject areas. I once had a history teacher in high school who would frequently show films or documentaries in class. Not only would we take the time as a class to discuss the historical inaccuracies we noticed, but my teacher also believed it was important to offer us a chance to have a visual representation of the era we were discussing. Having a visual image makes the content more memorable and more interesting, though many students who read textbooks may have a hard time creating a visual image in their mind regarding what they are studying. Providing that for them caused the students to be more involved in class. That was one of the most engaging history classes I have ever had as a student. Video games can take that type of learning to the next level – I even did a project about it in my CI 2300 class (Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age). The project explored the use of a game, in this case “The Oregon Trail”, as media for learning in a classroom setting. You can view the project and my analysis if you wish: http://claireeubanks.wix.com/clairesclassroom#!project-one/c16pe It would be extremely beneficial for students to not only have a visual representation of an area of history, but also have the opportunity to experience it, to immerse themselves in it, to some extent. Many games exist that are based on historical contexts. War games, for example. Or even a game such as Skyrim – yes, it’s pretty much a game about dragons. But when I played Skyrim myself, it wasn’t the dragons that interes
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Dear Dean Ogburn:
On July 2, 2015, a story was posted on the Belk Library Tech News Center’s website announcing that Belk Library had opened a game room in which students “will be able to check out and play video games.”
The article opened with the following question: “Who says the library is only for reading and studying?”
As members of the Appalachian State University community, we find the opening of this game room in Belk Library to be deeply offensive and contrary to the goals of our university—and indeed, to the mission of higher education as such.
The university exists to create knew knowledge, challenge received wisdom, and develop our highest intellectual potential as human beings. We know that there are forces in our culture that reject these values. The mission of the university, however, is to challenge these trends through its relentless commitment to the principle that knowledge is inherently valuable. It is a sad day indeed when a university succumbs to the very tendencies they are intended to resist.
Since 1899, Appalachian State University has, in its various incarnations, provided the residents of Watauga County, North Carolina, the nation, and the world with countless opportunities for intellectual development. The university’s mission statement correctly states: “Appalachian faculty model discriminative minds, physical and emotional wellness, and a dedicated work ethic.” Opening a game room in a building that lies at the heart of our academic endeavors trivializes these noble goals.
Appalachian State University is fortunate, moreover, to have an outstanding library and first-rate library staff. Our librarians are professionals who play a central role in the education of our students. Introducing a game room belittles their crucial work.
“Who says the library is only for reading and studying?”
We, the undersigned, do.
Please close this room and help the university fulfill its core mission.
Updates
October 1, 2015
I have submitted a formal request for a meeting with the Dean to discuss the academic mission of the library. We are currently drafting a letter to the library board to outline our concerns regarding the allocation of study space.
Reached 100 supporters
October 1, 2015
112 Comments
Gaming resources have a place in technology & development, graphic arts, music, psychology, education, sociology, and gender studies. Belk Library's provision of these is up to date and in keeping with library best practices. I support and applaud it.
Like any great book or film, a great game is a work of art. I, for one, am enthusiastic to see this exciting, interactive media added to our library's extensive collection.
I could see this in the Student Union--but not in the library. Couldn't we find a use for these resources that would better advance the academic mission of the library?
There are gaming rooms located in the student union right next store, and the student union has just undergone a significant expansion. If more gaming space is needed perhaps it should be found there, not the library.
I'm an alumnus who frequented the library and this is very disheartening to hear. Libraries are the last bastion for the free, unmonitored exploration of knowledge in the digital age. This space should be available for a distraction free pursuit of knowledge. A game room belongs in the student union. Please reconsider this decision.
This is not what libraries are for and this is not what students spend tuition for. There is a game room in Appalachian State University's student union for this specific purpose. The library IS only for reading and studying. This room is an affront to students and the amazing library staff at ASU
After reading through a majority of these comments it seems as though certain members of the History department feel the need to govern the activities, services, and direction of all departments on campus. An organizational structure exists in each department for this reason. In a healthy society there should be disagreement and consensus it is the foundation of democracy, but when certain individuals feel compelled that their behaviors and beliefs trump all others then a dictatorship rears it’s head. When the library moved to it’s new space along came a new direction with the addition of an Information Commons. In order to evolve and fulfill the vision of a learning commons the library must adopt new trends, spaces, and methods of research. Ultimately the campus as a whole will be the judge if particular services such as the game room are needed and the library will make decisions based on assessment and research rather than assumptions.
This petition was brought to my attention shortly after it was created, and since then I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the game room and the arguments opposing it. These are my thoughts: I find it disappointing that so many members of the history department are opposed to the creation of a game room in the library. As a history major and an education major, I believe video games can have a beneficial role in the study of history, as well as other subject areas. I once had a history teacher in high school who would frequently show films or documentaries in class. Not only would we take the time as a class to discuss the historical inaccuracies we noticed, but my teacher also believed it was important to offer us a chance to have a visual representation of the era we were discussing. Having a visual image makes the content more memorable and more interesting, though many students who read textbooks may have a hard time creating a visual image in their mind regarding what they are studying. Providing that for them caused the students to be more involved in class. That was one of the most engaging history classes I have ever had as a student. Video games can take that type of learning to the next level – I even did a project about it in my CI 2300 class (Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age). The project explored the use of a game, in this case “The Oregon Trail”, as media for learning in a classroom setting. You can view the project and my analysis if you wish: http://claireeubanks.wix.com/clairesclassroom#!project-one/c16pe It would be extremely beneficial for students to not only have a visual representation of an area of history, but also have the opportunity to experience it, to immerse themselves in it, to some extent. Many games exist that are based on historical contexts. War games, for example. Or even a game such as Skyrim – yes, it’s pretty much a game about dragons. But when I played Skyrim myself, it wasn’t the dragons that interes
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Gaming resources have a place in technology & development, graphic arts, music, psychology, education, sociology, and gender studies. Belk Library's provision of these is up to date and in keeping with library best practices. I support and applaud it.