People might think that gamers spend all their free time playing games, but librarians say that's not the truth: just as grandmas and aunties become gamers and get totally hooked on the Wii (hey, at least it's a start!), hardcore gamers are beginning to show up in some nontraditional places, such as public libraries. Of course, until now, there haven't been too many gaming-equipped book lenders but things are about to change if the American Library Association (ALA) succeeds and launches its new gaming initiative.

ALA took advantage of its annual conference in Anaheim, California and launched a $1 million project - the building of a model for library gaming that is expected to help improve literacy and learning skills. And I don't know if it is just me, but I get the feeling that the highly blamed video games are finally starting to be accepted everywhere and used to promote a lot of cool and positive stuff.

Here is what ALA president, Loriene Roy said in a statement about this initiative: "Through the Verizon Foundation's gift, ALA's gaming for learning project will provide the library community with vital information and resources that will model and help sustain effective gaming programs and services."

The idea is that no less than a dozen of so-called gaming experts from public libraries around the country will work with the American Library Association and, thanks to the one million dollar program, will build "The Librarians' Guide to Gaming," their mysterious online gaming and literacy resource. Can games and literature really go together? I guess we'll see pretty soon!

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 65,000 members. Its mission is "to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information", as the association states, as well as to provide "leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all."