Tabletop Gaming at the Library, from D&D to Yu-Gi-Oh

Gaming programs help bring together library patrons of all ages.

Though libraries are often thought of as dead-quiet, nearly empty buildings, nothing could be further from the truth. Libraries are leaning more and more into their roles as community centers nowadays, and as such, it’s now relatively common to find libraries running gaming tables. From intense, high-stakes role-playing games (RPGs) to more strategic card games, let’s take a look at some of the gaming programs libraries are hosting and how they’re working to bring people of all kinds together.

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D&D and Other TTRPGs

Tabletop role-playing games, or TTRPGs, are a mainstay for most library gaming programs, and for good reason. TTRPGs like Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, and Call of Cthulu present players with near-limitless options and can even be adjusted to fit their respective age groups. For kids, a family-friendly D&D module like An Ogre and His Cake or an all-ages system like Root. For generally older gaming groups, however, a darker, more in-depth D&D module like Curse of Strahd or a system like Vampire: The Masquerade will work perfectly.

As a result of this versatility, libraries may set up multiple tables for different age groups, allowing any and all visitors to find a game they enjoy playing and a group they enjoy playing it with. If you’re a die-hard fan of TTRPGs, looking to get into them, or even if you’re just interested in taking a look, it’s well worth stopping by your local library to check out their TTRPG program.

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Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokémon, and Other TGCs

Trading card games, or TGCs, like Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokémon are also library program favorites, simple enough for kids to learn but intricate enough for adults to enjoy as well. While they aren’t overly intense or high stakes, they’re great for creating a spirit of healthy competition and allow players to devise creative and unusual solutions to bring to their next match. Through these rivalries and the intricate strategy involved in building a deck, library visitors will form connections and friendships with each other, furthering the library’s purpose of promoting a sense of community.

Though the way each library approaches it is different, they share a goal of bringing people together, and tabletop gaming programs are just one of these many ways. If you’d like to learn more about how libraries are uniting the community and how you can get involved, visit us at the EveryLibrary blog today!

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