Library Gaming for n00bs

I’m extremely lucky to have just started (part-time, but it works out with my finally-finishing-library-school schedule) at an awesome high school library where we have a lot of administrative and faculty support, amazing and creative students, and a team of librarians with different backgrounds all bouncing ideas off each other.

So I didn’t have anything to be nervous about this morning when I asked one of my coworkers if they’d ever considered holding a gaming event in the library.

Several hours later, I’ve now submitted my first program proposal, I’m researching the ins and outs of hooking up a PlayStation 2 to a digital projector, and soon I’ll create a new Guitar Hero band so that my students won’t see that I ordinarily play as either P!Gspank or Craptrunk. (Actually I had a little mishap with the text entry, so technically it’s Craptrun. But there’s totally supposed to be a k at the end.)

I’m planning to start with Guitar Hero (or Guitar Hero II) because I own it, so there won’t be any additional cost for the library. I also think it’s a good game both for playing and spectating, which will hopefully keep people entertained while they’re waiting for a turn. And I love that in Guitar Hero II each player can choose a different difficulty level, which means that more advanced players could still be paired up with new players on the same song.

But now that my mind is racing with all the possibilities, I’m hoping y’all, in your infinite grace and wisdom, might share any advice you have on what makes a successful gaming event. I’ve heard a lot about public library events, but not much from school libraries. Tips for particularly great titles, the best way to organize a tournament, most popular gaming snacks–anything goes!