By Bruce Karnick

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Libraries have always been a place of knowledge and imagination. Before technology, it was the number one source for students to do their research. Google and the internet have replaced much of what people seemed to need the library for, but there is just something about opening a book and letting your mind paint the picture or finding the answer you are looking for through research. That also means that libraries need to be more creative to stay as an asset to the community. Do something to remind folks they are still there, still relevant and still valuable.

In the time of COVID, everyone is searching for answers. One of the questions in need of answers is how do we safely get our kids their much-needed social time? How do we let our 13-18-year olds hang out with their friends safely? Perhaps our library holds the answer, or at least one option for the answer. Discord!

Ironically, “Discord” is defined as a disagreement between two people, or a lack of harmony between notes sounding together. Discord is the exact opposite of gathering right? YES! Thankfully, that is not exactly what is being talked about here. Discord is a communication application for mobile devices and personal computers. Discord also works on newer gaming systems. Discord operates as an interface to access organized collections of channels called servers. Users can create their own server for free, manage the public visibility and create subchannels within their server. For those that were teens in the late 80’s, early 90’s, think “online bulletin boards” combined with AOL chat. Except, Discord can use voice over IP for chat or text, depending on how the server or channel is set up.

The advantage of Discord is, it takes relatively little bandwidth for the communication to happen, so it does not slow down the rest of the network and, like the old bulletin boards, it does have the option for moderators. People to keep an eye on the channel and protect the users from nefarious deeds. Discord is already a popular app for many teens, so that combined with all the other features make Discord a perfect option for the library to offer to teens as a virtual hangout.

The Dakota County Library Discord server does require users to apply for access. Part of that registration requires a library card number to verify the teen’s identity. The application can be found here.

https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/libraries/Programs/Teens/ Pages/teen-discord-server.aspx

Discord Screen shot from an iPhone. Discord allows different channels to keep things organized. Photo by Bruce Karnick