Resource Sharing

Spotlight on Sharing: International Games Day @ Your Library 2016

By Amy Hitchner: Published on
Resource Sharing

Games have never been more popular. Whether played around a table or on a screen, there is a game for every player regardless of age or ability. Many libraries, recognizing the popularity and educational benefits of gaming, have started incorporating games into their regular offerings (see Spotlight on Sharing: Board Game Renaissance).

Each November, libraries around the world celebrate the fun and potential of gaming during International Games Day @ Your Library. The event is run by a group of volunteers and sponsored by ALA’s Games and Gaming Roundtable in collaboration with several other international organizations. This map shows all the libraries that have registered to participate in International Games Day. Zoom in to see which libraries in Colorado have registered.

Below is a list of planned activities from around Colorado. If your library is interested in participating in International Games Day, visit the official website where you can you can register and access the library press kit, which contains logos, promotional material, and social media information. You can also add your activity to this post by emailing Amy Hitchner, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

Parachute Branch Library in Garfield County invites adults and teens to their event on November 19 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, where they can play popular fantasy-based board games Carcassonne, Shadows Over Camelot, Dominion, and Forbidden Island.

Denver Public Library’s Central Branch will turn its first floor into a gaming festival on November 19 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The library will have a carnival booth with prizes, crafts, board games and live-action video games for kids and families, and a day-long festival of video games, board games and game fandom for teens. View event info on their website.

Several other Denver Public Library branch locations are also participating in International Games Day Celebrations from November 14 through November 19. Activities will include board, video, card, and dice games. Specific locations may also offer Minecraft and other gaming programs, so contact your library for event details.

Poudre River Public Library District celebrates Game Day @ Your Library on Sunday, November 20 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Players of all ages and abilities are invited to play a board or card game from the library’s collection, which includes Settlers of Catan, Pandemic, and Munchkin Fu, or they can bring their favorite game from home. There will also be a room for RPGs, or Role-Playing Games.

International Games Day @ Dolores Public Library is an afternoon for tweens and teens to play video games, board games, or tabletop games. Participants can bring their favorite games or play one of the library’s many offerings. Snacks will be provided. See the library website for more information.

Pitkin County Library in Aspen is hosting an all-ages event on November 19 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. They will provide board games and video games—you bring the fun! The library website has all the details.

The College Hill Library in Westminster invites teens ages 12-17 to join them for food, fun, and games on November 19 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Participants can use the library’s board games or bring their town. Contact Teen Services for more info, 303-658-2622.

Jefferson County’s Belmar Library invites patrons of all ages to come play with board games, cards, puzzles, Giant Jenga, video games, and more on November 19 from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. See the library calendar for more details.

Lafayette Public Library is hosting an “unplugged” International Games Day on November 19. They invite families to come play board and tabletop games from 1:00 to 4:00 pm – snacks will be provided. Thanks to Katie Fauvelle for sharing this event!

This post is part of the Spotlight on Sharing initiative, which aims to increase the visibility of resource sharing in Colorado libraries. How is your library participating in International Games Day? We’d love to hear about it! Email Amy Hitcher, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org. On Twitter follow @hitchlib and use the hashtags #spotlightonsharing and #ALAIGD.

Amy Hitchner
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