Up Your Game at the Library

Games—at libraries? Aren’t games (video or otherwise) antisocial and mind-numbing? Not to mention noisy! Why on earth would libraries become involved in the world of gaming?

Turns out there are many good reasons. While the stereotype of gamers is that of someone tuned out from society and mindlessly managing a controller, today’s gaming world shows an entirely different truth: Games are often played in groups, whether video or board games. 

Many games encourage collaboration and strategic thinking. What’s more, studies show that games often support better cognitive and social skills and can offer needed distractions and relaxation from everyday realities. They can also provide opportunities to stretch players’ imaginations—some games can even help improve manual dexterity to the point that they are now used by physical therapists. At its foundation, playing is an important learning concept for all ages.

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The (Unexpected) Downside of Gaming

All these potentially positive outcomes may be a welcome surprise, but there’s a major downside to gaming: the often-prohibitive costs for both video and board games. While some video games are available on internet platforms and don’t require specific consoles, others need systems like Nintendo or Xbox. Those can be expensive, and they’re updated frequently.

Games themselves—whether online, video, or board—can add up quickly, too. Many premier video games cost $70 or more today, while board games may start as low as $10–$15. The more elaborate the game, the higher the price. Some board games can cost more than $100 for the basic edition, and there might be expansion packs that cost extra.

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Libraries Are Upping Their Games

And that’s where libraries come in. Recognizing that there are myriad potential benefits for gamers, libraries are finding ways to make games available to patrons at no cost. Here’s how some libraries are filling needs in the gaming community.

Washington County Cooperative Library Services (OR)

Washington County Cooperative Library Services was the first public library system to offer board games on loan, starting in 2013. Today, they have one of the largest collections of board games in the US (or, as the website says, possibly in the world). The system has over 2,000 games across its branches, which have proven tremendously popular.

Tacoma Public Library (WA)

Tacoma Public Library has a video game station and recently added a collection of video games that patrons can check out. The early collection is focused on E-rated (for Everyone) games, but they may add games tailored to older gamers later.

Madison Public Library (OH)

Madison Public Library offers a variety of board games for checkout, including classics like Don’t Break the Ice and Sorry! as well as more recent offerings such as Zombie Dice and Sheriff of Nottingham.

Aurora Public Library District (IL)

Aurora Public Library District has an eSports Lab where patrons can participate in competitive video gaming in three-hour sessions. The lab includes games from popular sites such as Steam and Epic Games. Controllers are provided, and gamers are not allowed to bring controllers from home.

Chandler Public Library (AZ)

Chandler Public Library in Arizona opened a Book & Board Library Lounge at its Downtown Library branch. This all-encompassing space includes game tables, a gaming console, and a private game room called the Dragon’s Den that can be reserved. Currently, the library has more than 150 board games and 30 games on the digital table. Even better: The lounge sells coffee, soda, and snacks, with proceeds helping fund library programs and services.

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Ramsey County Library (MN)

Ramsey County Library has a robust lending library of video games for many of the major consoles. Offerings range from Madden sports games to LEGO, Super Mario, Zelda, Minecraft, and RoboCop, with games appropriate for different ages.

Fond du Lac Public Library (WI)

The Fond du Lac Public Library not only has board and video games for varying ages, but it also offers a beginner tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) kit. TTRPGs are different from regular board games in that players create narratives and stories as they role-play different characters in the game’s world.

Free Library of Philadelphia (PA)

Philadelphia’s Free Library is also aboard the TTRPG train (along with other board and video games) and offers specific LGBTQ+-friendly games. The library also has a catalog of free items that can be used to supplement world-building in TTRPGs such as Dungeons & Dragons.

Northland Public Library in Pittsburgh (PA)

Northland Public Library carries card, board, and TTRPGs. The library also has Caregiver Collection backpacks available for checkout to caregivers of loved ones with dementia or intellectual or developmental disabilities. The backpacks include games and activities geared toward these players.

Yorba Linda Public Library (CA)

Yorba Linda Public Library has board and video games available for patrons. Players who want games rated M (Mature) must be at least eighteen years old and have a library card in good standing.

Already a gamer or interested in exploring the options? Visit your local library to see what game collections they offer. Check out the library’s calendar of events to see if any gaming programs are coming up—a great way to learn more about specific games while meeting like-minded people.

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