Junior Library Guild

Many of you (especially those who have been to my library seminars) probably already have a game corner in your library. Maybe you have a Cracker Barrel checkerboard rug game. Maybe you have a puzzle table. Maybe you have board games that you pull out on cold, rainy days. Maybe you do video gaming at your library (good for you!).

Idea: Celebrate the joy of winning and the agony of defeat by participating in International Games Day on November 3. Sponsored by PopCap, Ravensburger, and GameTable Online, participating libraries of all kinds can register at the official site. Earlier this year, sponsors gave away games. (Check out their sites, as they may still have some. You have not if you ask not.) On November 3, GameTable Online will open up its entire site to encourage more players. ALA has a publicity tool for advertising your participation.

Making the Most of Gaming:

• Spend time learning to play and teaching your students how to play as well. Don’t assume everyone knows how.
• Choose games wisely. What skills will be transferable to the real world?
• Think about how a game may connect to curriculum.
• Expect that some will be frustrated and be prepared to encourage them. Defeat is hard- even for adults.
• Let your students teach you. Allowing them to be “in charge” has benefits all on its own.

May the best man (woman or child) win―or at least a good time be had by all, as my mother would say. And remember to use your social media platforms to advertise what you’re doing. It’s an easy way to toot your own horn. And besides, we all want to know too.

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