As hubs of lifelong learning, public libraries are always seeking new strategies to cultivate 21st century skills in their community members. The deeper we move into this century, the more critical it becomes for people to hone skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking, global awareness and creativity. Your patrons can strengthen these skill sets while also having fun in a social setting — through playing tabletop games at the library. Learn about the wide array of games available and the specific skill sets each one promotes. Hear how public librarians are using games and get new ideas for programming and game-related projects that you can do at your library. Your younger patrons will be ahead of the 21st century game in no time.

Presented by: Lauren Hays, Instructional and Research Librarian and Co-Director of the Center for Games and Learning at MidAmerica Nazarene University; and Kate McNair, Teen Services Coordinating Librarian, Johnson County Public Library, and YASLA Board of Directors.

Tweet: #wjwebinar

Access Recording

• View Webinar Recording (You will be prompted to login to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar Attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)
  
• Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning.

Related Resources and Links

• Center for Games and Learning
  • Games List organized by 21st century skill set
• Nicholson, S. (2010). Everyone plays at the library. Medford, NJ: Information Today
• Partnership for 21st Century Learning
  
• Museums, Libraries, and 21st Century Skills, IMLS
• BoardGameGeek.com
• Play Play Learn
• Games in Libraries, brought to you by ALA Games and Gaming RT
  
• Global Game Jam
• Johnson County Library Writers Conference
• elementia, Johnson County Library literary arts magazine published to represent and uplift young adults
• Library examples of games that can checkout vs games that can be used in the library:
  • Bucks County Free Library (150 circulating games) (a how to guide)
  • Anderson Public Library
  • Auglaize County Libraries
  • Elmhurst Public Library (about 100 games)
  • Hartford County
  • Licking County (around 20 popular titles)
  • Urbana Free Library, IL (about 50 games)
• Resources on WebJunction by John Pappas, then branch manager at Bucks County Free Library System, now head librarian at Cheltenham Township Library System:
  • A six-part series on board game programming in public libraries: Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six
  • Board Games: Rapid Review Roundup
  • Gamers' Advisory: Board Games for Two
  • Webinar, The Golden Age of Gaming: Board Games for Grown-ups, with Marti Fuerst
• League of Librarian Gamers, a closed Facebook group, affiliated with and supported by the ALA Games and Gaming Roundtable (GameRT), but all interested in games, gaming, and libraries are welcome!
  
• Other links shared in Chat
  • International Tabletop Day
  • ALA International Games Week  
  • The Game Library at Genesee Valley Libraries, including curriculum, tags and instructions
  • Order Blank Playing Cards on Amazon