HAMPSTEAD — When dance fever strikes, middle-schoolers can head to Hampstead Public Library for some relief.
The library recently added a Nintendo Wii video game system to its collection.
Children's librarian Patti Falconer said she has been successful meeting the needs of elementary school-age children and preschoolers through books, crafts and other activities, but children in grades five through eight pose a more difficult challenge.
"For the fifth- through eighth-graders, the library is not 'cool' any longer. My initial reason for bringing the Wii games to the library was to try and attract this age group, and I knew it had to be something they enjoyed and liked," Falconer said. "Beyond that, libraries need to keep up with the changing times. But we hope that the middle school age group will come to play the Wii games and, the theory is, once here at the library, they will see the other things such as books that we have available for them."
The first time the Wii games were unveiled, people from age 3 to senior citizens participated, she said.
"The upshot is, we are preparing to start a seniors bowling league using the Wii bowling game," Falconer said. "Wii is very physical and many places are using it for rehab and exercise."
When schoolchildren had a half-day Wednesday, the library planned a Wii event featuring "Dance Dance Revolution," a game in which players follow the dance steps on a pad on the floor.
A few middle school students showed up to try it out.
Micaela Griffin, 11, said she liked the music and the characters.
"It's a good game, fun and challenging," said Emma McMahon, 12.
Falconer said she's finding the Wii application is much broader than expected. It appeals to all ages, she said, and gives older individuals an opportunity to do things they otherwise wouldn't be able to do.
"It's fun and it's physical, but its appeal seems to cut across all ages," she said. "We have the sports set Wii games, 'Dance Dance Revolution' and 'Smarty Pants,' a trivia game."
