Coming on strong

The N.Y. Times and other mainstream media seem frequently to be surprised that children's reading and online activities are so closely related. Librarians have been aware of this for some time now. The latest report from the N.Y. Times describes how writing a book and devising an accompanying game may go together. It's important for libraries to be aware of this trend and to make both books and video games available to young people. But it is also important, it seems to me, to remember that many of the old classics and some newer print-only books still have great appeal. We don't want to neglect those or to believe that children will only accept media on a screen. It is the librarian's job to introduce books and other media and to stretch the boundaries of children's experience rather than restrict it.