National Gaming Day @ your library 2010
Posted Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 at 7:00am
The official National Gaming Day poster.
National Gaming Day is picking up steam in the Green Mountains. There are now six participating libraries in Vermont, according the website’s Batchgeo map. I want to say that’s a tripling from last year, but I’d be guessing.
The participating Vermont libraries are:
- Fletcher Memorial Library, Ludlow, Vermont
- Goodrich Memorial Library, Newport, Vermont
- Ilsley Library, Middlebury, Vermont
- Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, Vermont
- Pierson Library, Shelburne, Vermont
- Sherburne Memorial Library, Killington, Vermont
There are a number of libraries just across the state border in New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, so check the map for something close to you. Additionally, I happen to know the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington is also participating, even if they’re not on the map.
A thread in the Green Mountain Gamers forum has begun discussing what folks plan to do in their own local libraries for National Gaming Day. The Creasers have Goodrich Memorial in hand, and Brennan, Alex and I are teaming up with the teen literacy coordinator at the Fletcher Free to bring National Gaming Day there for the first time.
Haven’t heard of National Gaming Day before? The American Library Association describes it as:
National Gaming Day @ your library is an initiative of the American Library Association to reconnect communities through their libraries around the educational, recreational, and social value of all types of games.
In the 21st century, libraries are about much more than books. On Saturday, November 13, 2010, hundreds of libraries throughout the country will showcase gaming programs and services in support of NGD10. This year marks our third annual event, and we’ve doubled our numbers each time. In 2009, more than 31,000 people played games at more than 600 libraries across the U.S. and Canada.
Gaming of all types at the library encourages young patrons to interact with a diverse group of peers, share their expertise with others (including adults), and develop new strategies for gaming and learning. Plus, it’s a way for traditionally underserved groups to have fun in the library and interact with other members of the community. Gaming Day is a great opportunity for families to get out of the house and play together in the one community institution that welcomes everyone.
