GAMERT (Gaming) Round Table

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last person joined: 23 hours ago 

The mission of the Games and Gaming Round Table is to provide the following:
  • A forum for the exchange of ideas and concerns surrounding games in libraries;
  • Resources to the library community to support the building and maintaining of library game collections;
  • A force for initiating and supporting game programming in libraries;
  • Create an awareness of, and need for, the support of the value of gaming and play in libraries, schools, and related learning communities.
  • Create an awareness of the value of games and gaming in library outreach and community engagement plans.
  • A professional and social forum for networking among librarians and non-librarians interested in games and gaming.

  • 1.  Game Programming for Children

    Posted Nov 06, 2024 12:05 PM

    Hello Gamers!

    I'm very excited to be a part of GameRT and e-meeting you all. My name is Amber and I run Children's Programming and Community Outreach. Our libraries theme for next season is Gaming and I'm pumped to introduce different mediums, whether board, word or video games to kids ranging from Kindergarten through 6th grade. There are some obvious choices that I have to address just due to popularity, like Minecraft or Pokemon, but I really want to showcase games that maybe kids haven't heard of and have benefits of teaching them the importance of things like critical thinking or strategy. I feel as though the Children's Department easily has a grasp on the creative ends of things but I want kids to really leave educated. 

    Are there any games that you could recommend for these age groups that you think would be beneficial and why? Maybe a game in particular that you've worked with personally? I look forward to your responses!



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    Amber Kirkwood
    Director of Children's Programming and Outreach
    Goshen Public Library
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  • 2.  RE: Game Programming for Children

    Posted Nov 07, 2024 09:37 AM

    I played a game at the New Jersey Library Association's game social that comes to mind. "Are You Dumber That A Box of Rocks" poses questions where all the answers are 0, 1, and 2. Players work as a team against the rocks and come to a group consensus on what they believe the right answer is. Then, the rocks get their "guess" by being shaken up and revealing their count. 

    It's a game with super simple rules and easy to pick up, and the critical thinking component can come in the form of the children debating and reasoning what their guesses to the questions should be.



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    Sloane Kazim
    Youth Services Library Assistant
    Somerset County Library System of New Jersey
    They/Them/Theirs
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  • 3.  RE: Game Programming for Children

    Posted Nov 08, 2024 10:54 AM

    Hi, Amber:

    I recommend this website with free, well-researched children's boardgame recommendations: Family Board Game Fun & KPL Board Game Collection

    It has free posters about the benefits of boardgames, as well as quick-start guides for the games they recommend.



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    Adelle Frank (She/Her/Hers)
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