First thing I learned: It is Minecraft NOT Mindcraft. When you work in the public library and you see kids obsessed with playing this video game on the library computers you have to stop and wonder. First, the game has very bad graphics and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to what happens on the screen. Now that it is the heart of summer we see kids arrive in packs to play the game and to interact virtually with each other, which is funny because they are usually sitting right next to each other. I admit they can get rowdy sometimes and a bit loud and yes, annoying. But I then think that at least they are at the library in a safe environment. So what is Minecraft all about? Did you know that Minecraft since its inception in 2009 is the third most popular video game of all time behind Tetris and Super Mario Brothers? Players create virtual worlds in Minecraft and basically dig holes and create blocks worlds. Thanks to Teen Librarian Liz Strauss and Technology Manager Kathryn Green, the library recently put together a Minecraft for Parents program to clue moms and dads in a bit about the video game that is currently king of the mountain. We also did a Minecraft Party recently that allowed the kids to stay after hours in the library and get as loud as they want and play Minecraft and eat pizza. So in my book the jury is still out. I like the fact that the kids are using their imaginations and not blowing each other up but to be honest it disturbs me that they spend so much time playing a video game while real life is happening all around them– if they could only look up from their glowing digital screens.
-Jim Gill, Director