Wii Night at the Prescott Library

PRESCOTT - A big white background stretches across rows of shelves as a projector sends images of classic "Mario Brothers" characters bouncing across the screen. The students who gather on the first two Tues­days of every month aren't at a party - as the game's title would suggest - they're in the library.

Twice a month, from 5 p.m. to closing, the Prescott Public Library hosts Wii night, an event that brings students to the library to enjoy video games and so­cialization with their peers. Branch Supervisor Amy Rosenberg said the event is hosted at many local librar­ies with the intention of help­ing to teach kids the library is a fun, safe place to spend time.

"We're trying to get the kids out to the library," Rosenberg said. "Sometimes we get a lot of kids in here and it gets crazy and loud."

During Wii night, Rosen­berg sets up a Nintendo Wii, a small game console with remotes that detect a player's movement, like swinging a bat or throwing a ball. The console is set up with a game, like the multi- player franchise "Mario Party," that revolves around a board game-like concept with mini-games that get kids up and moving in light­hearted competition.

Rosenberg said more kids are getting gaming consoles, which is causing attendance to taper off, but students do still come out to social­ize and use the Wii and the console is now a few years old so some of the novelty has worn off, but some kids still don't have access to electronic games at home so they come to the library to use the console.

"It's nice that they can come to the library and play games if they don't have consoles at home," Rosen­berg said.

Many kids play on com­puters or with stationary gaming consoles but the idea of using the Wii at the library game nights gets the kids up for a little bit of motion, Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg said when the new library opens, there will be a larger area where the console and screen can be set up allowing the participants more space to move around during games.

Students do hang out in the library after school now, Rosenberg said.

"Which is great because the library is the center of the community," Rosenberg said. "it's safe and a great resource."

Two participants during Wii night on Feb. 12, sisters Sonya and Thalia Crispin, are regular visitors to the library.

Both girls said they play Wii at home as well but they like to come to the library to play different games too.

Sonya Crispin said her favorite game is Mario. She and her sister both enjoy computer games as well.

Rosenberg also said the library also hosts storytime every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. On the week of Valentine's Day, storytime included card crafting.

"It was crazy in here," Rosenberg said. "Valentine's Day cards and glitter every­where."