Wisconsin Games + Learning + Libraries Cohort

What are the criteria for adding resources to the group?

Hey Laura! GREAT question.

So, for general questions about WISELearn contributions, here is the Support/FAQ page. Additionally, here is the Quality Guidelines page. Those are probably worth a quick perusal just to get in the WISELearn mindset.

I think, though, you're asking more about content-specific criteria relative to this group, yeah? Your question compels me to want to develop some concrete criteria moving forward; mainly, I'm hoping for group resources to be responsive to expressed needs by members of this group. Considering that, I'd expect a more structured criteria doc to be a work-in-progress looking to the future, utilizing feedback from folks here. For the purposes of your question today, though...

I'd recommend that potential resources are considered through a lens of priority/value related to the group's core "resource focuses" / mission / vision (listed above in the group description), as well as what would be most accessible to group members across a broad spectum of knowledge/experience levels within the games and libraries space. This means:

• More complex or "prior experience required" resources/links are TOTALLY okay to add (just make sure to add some info about that in the description when submitting),
   
• And more "newbie-friendly" options are, of course, more-than-welcome as well! "You don't need to know anything to begin using this resource" is a terrific qualifier to consider.

Specific options of resources could fit into a variety of different conceptual "buckets" related to games-and-libraries, and might include:

• Links to and uploaded documents/files that would offer group members "inspiration" ideas or readymade resources that would help develop library or school programs related to games (of all formats: classic card games, collectible/competitive card games, board games, tabletop role-playing games, video games, tactile games [like Jenga], etc.).
   
  • This could especially helpful if they were .zip files containing multiple relevant documents, images, and/or templates that could be used (Examples: Pokemon Program Resources, Dungeons & Dragons Introductory One-shot Experience)
     
• Links to and uploaded documents about developing library collections related to gaming (of all formats: classic card games, collectible/competitive card games, board games, tabletop role-playing games, video games, tactile games [like Jenga], etc.). This type of resource could take many forms:
   
  • Examples of great collection ideas for purchasing. Whether its a list of solid, popular-checkout video games or board games, games that are great for maintability and ease-of-access for users, etc. (Example: David McHugh's List of Board Game Examples)
     
  • Or, documents, links, examples, etc., of best practices for borrowing (One week or two? Replacement costs?), successful policies of games-based collections, maintenance of said collections (How do we replace board game components? Where?), how to label/tag items, budgeting considerations for collections, how to promote them, etc. (Example: slides for David McHugh's presentation about board game collections)
     
• Continuing education and professional development in the games + learning space, including linked videos/webinars.
   
  • This could be group members' presentation slides and/or videos too; have YOU (or someone you know) ever presented about games-based library services at a conference, or as a webinar? This could be uploaded/linked. Slides could be uploaded as a separate file. This is a great way to start showcasing group members' individual expertise within this space. (Example: David McHugh's presentation about Board Games in the Library, offered as a part of the Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference 2024).
     
• Links to and uploaded documents professionally exploring "Research and articles that explore the good learning principals within gaming". It sortof goes without saying, but resources in this area should be well-supported by some form of scholarship, study, data, etc. (Example: the video series "Intro to the 13 Good Learning Principles of Well-designed Video Games")
   
• Links to and uploaded downloadables of good learning games themselves (Examples: Field Day's Legend of the Lost Emerald; more Field Day Games will be added soon!).

... and more! All this stuff can take many forms: links to blog posts, videos, books and audiobook links, podcasts, research documents, sites with recommendations for best practices in relevant areas, games themselves, Canva templates, infographics & flowcharts -- you name it. I'm very confident in group members' knowledge, experience, and personal review process leading toward good decision-making for what would be appropriate/relevant to this group or not.

• In the end, if a group member thinks "This would have been helpful to me when I was starting out with gaming programming / collections / etc...." it's probably useful to submit!

In terms of the submission process; WISELearn is a bit... 'loosey goosey', let's say, about exactly outlining how/where to describe/title/discuss aspects of a submitted resource.

• The FAQ page above has some helpful tips, but ulitmately I'd recommend members use their best judgement about where and how to list/describe/title sections/parts. In the end, if a file is successfully described, titled, and uploaded, or a link is successfully described and connected as a resource, we should be in good shape, even if there isn't exact uniformity among different submitted resources. Things can always be edited later, too!

Ultimately, I will review each submitted item and have to approve them before they are officially offered. If someone has a question whether a resource is worthwhile of submitting or not, they can always email me at Chris.baker@dpi.wi.gov so we can chat about it, and I could help clarify.

No need to be sheepish; if someone is excited about sharing a resource -- go for it! I hope that helps answer your question for the moment, Laura. Thank you!

~Chris