The McAllen Public Library is now allowing all borrowers from ages 17 and above to check out video games to take home and play.
It’s a service the city’s librarian said was necessary to consider due to the pandemic, aiming for the library to continue
“Before COVID, gamers would meet at the Library to play games using our platforms and equipment,” McAllen Public Library Director Kate Horan said in a news release. “The pandemic has challenged MPL to provide services at home that patrons are used to accessing at the library.”
Popular titles from franchises like Madden, Sonic and Halo are included to check out for consoles like PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch as well as the latest generation of consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
There are a few basic conditions required to meet before being allowed to take a game home though.
Along with being 17 years old or older, one must have a MPL card, be living in the city of McAllen with verification of their current address and they will have to complete an agreement.
Games will also be one per household as well and can only be checked out for seven days.
An amount of $50 will be charged for lost or damaged games or $1 a day for late returns, as some of the latest titles can cost as much as $70, such as the PS5 version of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
The current circulations of games are rated from E for Everybody to T for Teen, so parents can rest easy when checking out a game for their kids to play.
“This is yet another way that families can engage in a fun activity in the safety of their homes,” Horan said.
For more information, contact the McAllen Public Library at (956) 681-3000.
