Most video game systems are consoles, essentially set top boxes for a television. There are also portable handheld devices. For the sake of ease and budget I don't believe it would necessarily be easy for a public library system to rent out the consoles video games are played on, at least not as the primary focus of lending games. These consoles are reasonably pricy and often cumbersome to transport. I imagine dealing with damages to such systems would be an undue burden on the library.
So, just as with DVD loans the library member would be required to have their own DVD player, with games the library member would be renting a game for a system they own. I think if over time some systems were available for loan that could be helpful for those who cannot afford a gaming console. However, per a Nielsen study in 2018, almost 162 million people own video game systems, so I don't think it would be an unfair barrier to entry. Most games are available as physical media for these consoles (and will only play on the system they're labeled for), as DVDs or cartridges.
To break down gaming in layman's terms, there are three major console manufacturers: Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo has the Switch, Wii and DS brands. Sony has PlayStation and Microsoft has Xbox.
The current consoles on the market are the Nintendo 3DS (since 2011), the Nintendo Switch (2017), PlayStation 4 (2013) and Xbox One (2013). As with DVDs, gamers are not only interested in new games, but also in games stretching back to the 80's and sometimes earlier. Retro gaming is incredibly popular amongst gamers of all ages, but I imagine especially among persons 25 and order.
The reason I mention this is as a roundabout response to the question of what games the library should offer. Current games would offer the most appeal. Starting with family friendly games could probably be wise in introducing this initiative. Games have ratings just like movies do. E is the PG equivalent, T is the PG-13, and M is the R rating. M rated games ordinarily require an adult be present to rent or purchase, just like with an R rated movie ticket. Content descriptions for most games can he found at the ESRB website or at Common Sense Media.
So, family friendly games are those like Super Mario, Pokemon, any sports or racing game like Madden (football) or Forza Horizon (racing). Anything rated E or even T I would think. Most anything made by Nintendo would fall into this category.
Donated used games would help build a collection cheaply. I would be happy to donate games and I'm sure others would also. There's no reason I can think of as to why games would have to be in new condition. Most used games work without an issue. There is an entire used games industry between GameStop stores and similar businesses (mostly online).
With that said, just as the library purchases new movies and books and CDs, new games would also be an especial draw to library members. It would be much cheaper to buy used games, or older games. Most games 2-3 years old or older drop in price considerably for new copies. To circle back to retro games (anything released for consoles between 1985 and 2013), those games are often available more cheaply or people may be more willing to donate them.
The bottom line with videogames is that people will be incredibly eager to play them, especially people who cannot easily afford games, and they will be glad to play anything well reviewed that is available on a system they own. So I think a library program that offers some new video games as they come out and also offers as many random games across different genres and systems that people donate, people will be very, very happy with. Unlike with books and DVDs, it is nigh unheard of to get to play video games for free.
I hope this is helpful and I would be happy to answer any other questions. Here are a few links which may be useful.
ALA site for games in libraries:
http://games.ala.org/games-in-libraries
The Video Game Librarian, a site with resources for how games can be integrated into public libraries:
www.videogamelibrarian.com
Frequently Asked Questions ➡ How does the ESRB Ratings System work? ➡ How do I build a quality circulating game collection? ➡ Are “Public Performance Rights” required for game programs?…
www.videogamelibrarian.com
Best wishes,
Nabbit
I appreciated that they even considered it though. I hope someday it'll be as commonplace as borrowing a book.
it's a very different game now with people doing like 10min turns doing card combos XD
It was lukewarm since I got it to go, but since I haven't had non-cold food in so long it was so good and tasted hotter than it was. I ate all three enormous pancakes, all the eggs and bacon. And it was so good. I was full until a couple hours ago. Overly full. But it was totally worth it. 
I've been kinda busy lately, so I will not be posting that much, but I'll try to share with you and join the discussions whenever I can
), but I've been playing Deltarune (very fun) and the Castlevania GBA Collection (I love platformers), with some Pokemon Shield sprinkled over here and there hahaha. With some luck I'll finally finish Harmony of Dissonance this February.
