“Wii” will allow our senior patrons to have fun and enjoy being young at heart again. No, we are not installing the fountain of youth at our libraries but taking advantage of the new Wii system by Nintendo. MVLS has received a $15,000 grant for a 2 year program by the Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The libraries participating in the first year are the Amsterdam Free Library, Canajoharie Library, Fort Plain Free Library, Margaret Reaney Memorial Library in St. Johnsville and the Rotterdam Branch of the Schenectady County Public Library. The second year participating libraries will be the Johnstown Public Library, Northville Public Library, Frothingham Free Library in Fonda, The Community Library in Cobleskill-Richmondville, the Schoharie Free Library and the Sharon Springs Free Library.

The Wii game was designed to be a more interactive version of the “usual” video games, but they have far surpassed that. In the quest for fun they have an additional quality, health benefits. The Wii games provide the opportunity for therapeutic qualities that can target gross and fine motor skills, hand and eye coordination and even a light cardio workout.

The media buzz around Wii has enabled us to pause and reflect on fun again and bring it to our senior patrons. The goal is to be able to encourage fellowship through library use while also honing in on innovative programming in what can be a seemingly rigid atmosphere. Yes, you can learn something new, regardless of age.

The LSTA grant will support the programming costs for older adults (those 55 years of age and older) by enabling the purchase of Wii consoles, games and digital cameras to photograph all the fun. We are excited about “Wii” and encourage trying it with your senior patrons, allowing them to enjoy the library in a new way. There will be an introductory grant workshop at the Fort Plain Free Library on Thursday June 19, 2008 from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM for Year One grant participating libraries, but any interested parties are welcome to join us. To RSVP please call MVLS, 355-2010, and speak with Sue or Jen, or email Sue.