Computer games available at public libraries

BY LISA BARRINGER Lee County Library System

Now's the time for adults, children and teens to put on their game faces and gear up for a lot of thumb and wrist action at the library.

Opportunities for a virtual challenge are on within the Lee County Library System, which will showcase some of the hottest video games on the market at upcoming programs. Beginning this month at given locations, video game buffs may tinker with some new releases or opt for a rematch with old favorites such as Frogger and Crash.

Library visitors can select a game of choice, grab a Wii or PS2 controller and battle (free) at gaming programs scheduled through next year. The fun begins on Thursday, Dec. 27 at Lakes Regional Library's "Game With Wii" for teens. At 2:30 p.m., players there may test their skills in a chomping, hooping, jumping and rowing match with Mario, Luigi and other characters in Nintendo's Mario Party 8.

Athletes who prefer to work up a sweat in a more realistic computer game of sorts should attend Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library's "Wii Gaming - - Sports Spectacular!" Participants of all ages and skill levels might discover their fate, via a Wii Remote controller, in a pretend game of tennis, baseball, golf and more at that program. It is planned for 1 p.m. on Jan. 3 for adults and teens and at 2 p.m. on Jan. 5 for children ages 8-12.

The Cape Coral library's gaming itinerary offers something special for rockers, too.

At 2 p.m. on Jan. 19, children of all ages will get a chance to step into the spotlight, pump up the volume and rock on in the recently released Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

Librarians expect the video game to do more than just entertain young ones.

"It gives them something active to do in the library and improves their hand-and-eye coordination and a lot of different skills," said Chris Serio of Cape Coral library's Youth Services. "They have to read the instructions to the games and follow instructions, too."

More Wii games (including Dance Dance Revolution) will be on hand for the public at various programs offered within the system, but they're not available for checkout.

"We have them at the library for the public to enjoy tduring gaming programs," Serio said.

The library system does offer educational and instructional computer software that patrons of all ages may check out and play at home. Topics run the gamut in the library's collection - - from card and board games and flight simulator instruction for adults to 3-D chess for teens and brainteasers for children. Patrons can borrow computer software for up to four weeks.

"We have a broad spectrum of subjects," said Diane Lettieri, principal librarian of Youth Services Collection Development. "People think that games are all about the virtual world, but they're not. They can include card and board games. Our library system does not circulate PlayStation, Nintendo or any other games that require a console. The games that we do offer are on CD-ROM, and they are compatible with MacIntosh or Windows applications. Many of them are educationally oriented but fun at the same time."

Visit www.lee-county.com\library to get more information about the Lee County Library System's computer software collection, to find out how to apply for a library card or to obtain a schedule of all library activities.