Content:

In February 2017, Pokémon GO released eighty new second generation Pokémon into the game. With this new content came a 50 percent increase in use, though it has faded over time.^[2] Expect a similar shot in the arm, as there are plans to release “legendary Pokémon” into the mix. These are suspected to be a social activity where numerous players will need to wear down the most powerful of Pokémon.^[3] Libraries should be prepared to create fandom events around future major releases. If legendary Pokémon do indeed require groups of players working in tandem under a deadline, then their appearance at your library should be met with a social media blast that allows you to quickly advertise a pop up program.

Events:

From May 5-8 a Worldwide Bloom event took place, whereby Pokémon of a certain (grass) type appeared at a dramatically higher rate and lures used to attract Pokémon lasted six times longer.^[4] Prior to this, the developer has employed holiday events, such as their Valentine’s Day and Holiday Season promotions. While it’s probably too much to hope for a 2018 National Library Workers Day special, it is reasonable to expect other seasonal events, so keep an ear to the ground and plan accordingly!

Features:

Niantic is working to push new social aspects in its game. There remains the long-promised Pokémon, which would allow a pokéstop (think of them as a resupply area) to be augmented with special features. If these augmentations take the form of in-app purchases, take the opportunity to use them as inexpensive ways to drive traffic to your library. A trading option appears likely,^[5] and may be tied to a pokécenter, meaning individuals will need to be in proximity to each other in order to conduct their business. As someone who has witnessed children (and adults) arguing over Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, this feature comes with mixed emotions! Expect your library to become a hub of such activity. PVP (player versus player) features are also forthcoming, and with it, the possibility of a library hosting a tournament, if the game mechanics allow.^[6]

While there remains some uncertainty regarding the future of Pokémon GO, it seems clear that there is a real effort to rekindle excitement. Warm weather in and of itself encourages Pokémon hunting, and this summer seems primed for several major updates that could cause a second outbreak of Pokémon fever! So go, cultivate a relationship with the Pokémon diehards who never left the game (they may be your co-workers) and use them as an early warning system! Assess your location; is it a pokéstop/pokégym or in proximity to one? Finally, sketch out some programs that you can roll out on short notice.

Resource List:

Pokémon GO Glossary: Learn all the common game terminology!

https://support.pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/hc/en-us/articles/222049307-Glossary

25 Pokémon Crafts for Kids: Great ideas for kids and teens, particularly for use in a fandom event!

25 Pokémon Crafts for Kids

Niantic Labs Blog: Get official updates straight from the source!

https://www.nianticlabs.com/blog/

Program Model: Pokéthon : A multi day fandom event organized by the Obion County Public Library, with reproducibles.

http://www.programminglibrarian.org/programs/pok%C3%A9thon

References

^[1] http://bgr.com/2017/04/03/pokemon-go-popularity-2016-users/

^[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2017/02/28/gen-2-caused-a-huge-spike-in-pokemon-go-play-but-its-fading-fast/#181007ec193d

^[3] http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-04-18-pokemon-go-legendary-pokemon-articuno-mewtwo-mew-zapdos-moltres-raikou-entei-suicune-lugia-hooh-celebi

^[4] http://pokemongoinformer.com/pokemon-go-worldwide-bloom-event/

^[5] http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/pokemon-go-updates-everything-you-need-to-know-about-what-s-coming-next-1330140

^[6] ibid

The post Will There Be Another Summer of Pokémon GO? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Among the many informative articles being written about Pokémon Go, there are two worth highlighting. “What is really behind the Pokémon Go craze” provides this pithy description of the game as “the first real success story of the use of augmented reality technology, which blends the digital and real world together. The combined effect is part bird-watching, part geocaching, part trophy-hunting, with a heavy dose of mid-1990s nostalgia.”^[1] The article is a worthwhile read if you’re looking for a succinct description of this phenomenon to share with your staff, board, or patrons; however, this second article brings some more practical ideas for libraries.^[2] Replace the words “small business” in the article with “libraries.” What can you do to get players to use your services while they’re playing the game?

You “gotta catch ’em all”—patrons, that is. Doing so goes beyond marketing and relies more on the behavior of library staff and the environment of your building. You have agroup of potential patrons just at the edge of your grasp. Are you welcoming these people to see what’s happening in the building through signs or other advertisement while they are in your parking lot catching Pokémon? Is all your library staff, from the front line to the administration, able to (at least briefly) talk intelligently about Pokémon Go? Making sure all your staff understand the basic premise of the game will help your overall rapport with this frequently absent-from-the-library demographic. It can be as simple as encouraging staff to walk out of their way while coming into the building for their shift to ask someone hunting Pokémon in the parking lot, “What have you caught so far here?” This provides the same warm feelings as asking a perplexed person in your book stacks, “Can I help you find something?” Your staff show that they care about all their patrons.

Whether you buy a lure and walk through your parking lot handing out fliers on your current services, or you simply track the most successful Gyms in your community and congratulate them on social media, you can show the twenty- to forty-year-olds that you care about what they are doing. And if you care about the game they are putting so much time and effort into, you obviously care about other things they are interested in, too. They may just come back to you when they need something else.

Just a few libraries with  Pokémon GO events:

• Warwick Library: Pokémon Go Gym Meet
• Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library: Pokémon Go: Walk & Train Club
• Bronx Library Center: BLC PokeStop: Pokemon Lure Module
• Midland County Public Library: Pokemon Go Bar Crawl and Pokemon Hunt

Reference

[1] Hayley Tsukayama and Ben Guarino, “What is really behind the Pokémon Go craze,” Washington Post, July 12, 2016.

[2] Walter Chen, “Pokemon Go Is Driving Insane Amounts of Sales at Small Local Businesses. Here’s How It Works,” Inc.com, July 11, 2016.

The post Pokémon Go: Strike While the Iron Is Hot! first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

But there are immediate issues. Criminals immediately took advantage of the fact that players were revealing not only where they were, but where they were going.^[1] Privacy issues were also raised, and if you are playing you should check your privacy settings, although Niantic says they are working on a solution.^[2] Then Pokémon GO players immediately started showing up in some odd places to try to fill their Pokedex. The question rose: Where is it appropriate to capture Pokémon? Is anywhere fair game?

The Holocaust Museum says no and has asked visitors to stop hunting there.^[3] It seems like common sense would dictate the inappropriateness of this behavior, but it hasn’t. The drive to capture that last Meowth to fill a Pokedex is being used to excuse all kinds of inconsiderate behavior.

Some locations are embracing the trend. Rangers in the National Mall will even help visitors hunt Pokémon, but they have set some limitations. “There are some places in national parks, all over the country, but even here in D.C. on the National Mall, where it may not be appropriate to play Pokémon Go,” says one. “For instance, at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial—a place that is designed to be a site of solemn reflection….”^[4]

What about libraries? As they have increasingly transformed from places of quiet research and librarians shushing visitors into community centers with makerspaces, Wi-Fi access, and classes and events, should visitors GO there?

GO Can be Used to Teach

From elementary schools to colleges, games and the gamer mentality are being used to teach students. “Imagine that you’re now playing a game, that you’re exploring the Earth, exploring Mars, you’re searching for habitable planets; everything you’re doing in the game is based in physical reality, biological reality, and chemical reality,” says Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University. “Students will be able to pass any of those tests in chemistry, physics, or biology, just taking that subject by playing the game.”^[5]

The reason the rangers are helping players on the National Mall? “Players come to catch a Pokémon, but are led around and then see all of the great historical things here.”^[6] Visitors might come for the Pokémon GO, but they stay for what they discover around them.

A similar strategy could be used at libraries. GO brings patrons in: the other offerings of the library inspire them to stay.

GO can be a Distraction

On the other side of things, GO can be a huge distraction to non-GO players. Imagine you are sitting doing research on a kiosk, and over your shoulder you see a person walking, eyes fixed intently on their screen. You ignore them, but a moment later you hear a loud cheer, even through your earbuds.

Coffee shops fill with Pokémon GO players, and some shops even post signs declaring Pokémon are for paying guests only. What should be good for business can instead be detrimental if spaces are filled with non-paying Pikachu seekers.

GO Hype Will Normalize (Maybe)

Pokedex will be filled. Those who have started playing out of curiosity will drop out of the game if they don’t become addicted or dedicated. The history of games like Angry Birds and others has proven this. We exist in a period of hype. Pokémon GO has drawn in users by the thousands, and to ignore the long lasting effects of that would be foolish.

Many businesses and other institutions are trying to cash in on the craze; some libraries have already joined them. Should yours? There is a balance to be struck, but if we can draw in more visitors without being disruptive, it may be time for us to GO. Libraries must decide if they have appropriate spaces and resources to manage the traffic that might come with allowing game play.

Now shhh. I am hunting a Dratini. I am pretty sure he is hiding in the Reference section.

Resource

Everything Librarians Need To Know About Pokemon Go!

References

[1] Rob Thubron, “Criminals use Pokémon Go to lure victims and rob them at gunpoint,” TechSpot, July 11, 2016.

[2] Joseph Bernstein, “You Should Probably Check Your Pokémon Go Privacy Settings,” BuzzFeed, July 11, 2016.

[3] Andrea Peterson, “Holocaust Museum to visitors: Please stop catching Pokémon here,” Washington Post, July 12, 2016.

[4] Paul Ollig, “National Park Rangers Will Help You Hunt Pokémon On The National Mall” by Chris Geidner, BuzzFeed, July 11, 2016.

[5] Michael Crow, “Dr. Michael Crow,” (keynote presentation, ASU GSV summit, San Diego, CA, April 18–20, 2016).

[6] Paul Ollig, “National Park Rangers Will Help You Hunt Pokémon On The National Mall” by Chris Geidner.

The post Don’t Go There: Are Libraries Appropriate Places to Catch Pokémon? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.