ALA Cognotes 2014 Annual Conference Highlights - (Page 1)

ANNUAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS Cognotes ALA Highlights Issue 2014 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Jane McGonigal Connects the Dots: From Game to the Brain By Brad Martin LAC Group J ane McGonigal opened the ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas June 27, telling the audience how 10 positive emotions experienced in the brains of gamers not only mean great hope for solving real world problems in the future, but also for harnessing power today. McGonigal, author of Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World, played her first computer game in 1986 at a school Opening General Session presenter Jane McGonigal describes library in Morristown, N.J. how alternate reality games affect the brain. She drew a sharp contrast between the degree to which "positive emotions," which up" during interactive game the global workforce and she demonstrated in a se- playing, but do not during gamers are engaged in their ries of photographs of wide- passive exposure. Games respective activities - point- ranging facial expressions of teach players that it is posgamers in action. sible to learn how to solve ing out that 81 These 10 posi- sometimes difficult challenges percent of the "The opposite of tive emotions are and the positive reinforceglobal workplay isn't work. joy, relief, love, ment they receive makes for force do not feel It's depression." surprise, pride, an "upward cascade" of imengaged with curiosity, excite- provement, she said. their work and ment, awe and "Games make us more what they are doing, and this costs com- wonder, contentment, and resilient," said McGonigal, panies about $3.1 trillion a creativity. Creativity is the explaining how "super-emyear (Gallup 2013). Gamers, most positive of these emo- powered, hopeful individuals" numbering about one billion tions, McGonigal said, add- are more likely to be able to worldwide, are much more ing, "these are the faces you collaborate - unlike in much of the working world, where engaged in their activities want to see in your library." She pointed out how speand experience a whole range » see page 6 of feelings McGonigal called cific areas of the brain "light Video Highlights of the 2014 Annual Conference & Exhibition » see page 2 Session Concludes Successful Annual Conference with B.J. Novak A uthor, actor and stand-up comedian B.J. Novak traced his journey from a boyhood obsessed with libraries to his emergence as an author whose recent children's "pic- B.J. Novak speaks at the Closing ture" book ap- General Session. pears on library shelves, at the July 1 Closing Novak said that his first Session. ambition - before he wantNovak, who is probably ed to be an actor or a writer best known for his role as or a player for the Boston Ryan on the sitcom "The Red Sox - was to become a Office," charmed the crowd librarian. from the start, when he an"I was enthralled by the nounced that he was excited library in my elementary to speak before thousands of school, where anything » see page 14 librarians in Las Vegas. ALA President Barbara K. Stripling interviews award-winning actor, producer, and country musician Jeff Bridges and bestselling youth author and two-time Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry during the ALA President's Program. Lowry and Bridges Talk Creativity, Collaboration, Community By Brad Martin LAC Group A uthor Lois Lowry and actor Jeff Bridges shared their personal memories, creative processes, and responsibilities as artists at the ALA President's Program on June 29. Lowry, whose book The Giver has been made into a film to be released in August, and Bridges, who plays the title character, conversed with each other as they responded to ALA President Barbara K. Stripling's questions. The audience was treated to a "sizzle reel" of the film, which also stars Meryl Streep. The subject of memory, central to the themes of The Giver, was explored, and » see page 9 http://www.alaannual.org http://www.alaannual.org

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ALA Cognotes 2014 Annual Conference Highlights