When you go to the library, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Checking out books for recreation? Skimming the periodicals for a research paper? How about renting video games?

The Public Library in Geneva, Illinois apparently has a library of current video games for patrons to check out, which are listed as a "Electronic Resource". One of the patrons took advantage of such a wonderful library, and helped himself, or herself, to 9 titles for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 consoles.

From the Geneva Public Library news article:

Library Director Matt Teske told police the discovery was made by a young boy who notified his parents, then reported the stolen items to the staff.

The nine video games had a combined value of $424.41.

The Xbox games were:

• Forza Motorsport 4
• Soul Calibur 5
• Rayman Origins

The PlayStation 3 games were:

• ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection
• Batman: Arkham Asylum
• Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
• NBA2K12
• The Sly Collection
• Final Fantasy XIII-2

If you have information about this or any other crime in Geneva, please contact the Geneva Police Department at 630-232-4736.

At first I thought the games were part of an exhibit, but the games are no different than the books. I guess you can just check them out just as easily. The crime doesn't surprise me as things like video games are stolen all the time, it's the fact that there is a library that has video games that you can check out. Perhaps it's the libraries' way of reaching out to another demographic. Come to think about it, I think I may have sourced  video games in a few college papers freshman year.

Now, a few questions for the g1 community:

1. When's the last time you went to a public library?
2. If public libraries had a large selection of video games to check out, current or old school, would you frequent the library on a weekly basis to get your fix?
3. Have you ever reported a crime that you witnessed?