GAMERT (Gaming) Round Table

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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.

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GameRT President-Elect Candidate : Fernando Aragon

  • 1.  GameRT President-Elect Candidate : Fernando Aragon

    Posted Mar 09, 2025 10:53 AM

    Greetings!

    I am running for ALA GameRT President-Elect this year and wanted to share my background.

    Education: Bachelor's degree in English (Creative Writing), Minor in Theater. Master's degrees in Business Administration, Instructional Design, and Data Analytics

    • I've worked at Gwinnett County Public Library since 2018 starting as Library Associate. In 2022, after 3 years as a Learning Labs Specialist, I was promoted to Learning Labs Supervisor (Makerspaces and Digital Studios) overseeing 9 Learning Labs across the county. We have a wonderful team of 10 Learning Lab Specialists with expertise in many creative fields. Over the years, I've created curriculum and delivered workshops including working one-on-one with patrons on the following topics: Audio Production, Video Production, Python, Game Development, 3D Printing, 3D Modeling, JavaScript, Web Design and more. I've developed and maintained partnerships with local schools, universities, cities, organizations and businesses. Some of our big initiates in the Learning Labs are Teen Entrepreneurship Program, Game Jams, and our annual Student Film Fest. Our 2024 Game Jam had 70 participants, 43 entries, and over 1000 visitors at our Game Jam Showcase and Award Ceremony in partnership with the city of Lawrenceville's Free Comic Book Day. We are currently running our 4th Game Jam at the time of this post.

    • I was selected for a panel at the 2023 ALA Conference "Core Top Ten Technology Trends: Libraries Take On ChatGPT". A writeup can be found in American Libraries magazine. In 2024, I co-led a session on "Teaching Video Game Development in Public Libraries" at the Georgia Library Association conference.

    • In addition to my full-time job at GCPL, I teach part-time at Georgia State University and Gwinnett Tech in their Game Development programs. Some classes that I have taught since 2019 are Introduction to Game Development, Advanced Game Development, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Game Physics, Web Design I, PHP I, Fundamentals of Game Art, and Programming for Games II.

    • Prior to my career at Gwinnett County Public Library, I worked in Data Analytics and Process Improvement in the private sector. I love working with data. I am a certified Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt. Project Management, identifying opportunities, managing change, and implementing new processes comes naturally.

    • In 2016, I started Hungry for More Games and developed two card games, "Steal the Show" and "Steal the Show! Act II" combining my love for Shakespeare and party games! Both were successfully funded on Kickstarter. In 2018, I was a sponsor of GameRT's International Game Week and donated copies of the games and shipped them to over 150 libraries across the United States. A Donor Spotlight article about "Steal the Show! Act II" from GameRT. For more information on the Shakespearean insult party game, a video interview with Eric Martin from BoardGameGeek at Origins Game Fair 2017 about "Steal the Show!" and "Steal the Show! Act II"

    • Currently a member of GameRT Game On! Grant and International Game Month committees.

    • Son of Cuban and Guatemalan immigrants. Father of two wonderful daughters (they are cats). Uncle of two amazing nephews.

    I believe my experience and education in a wide variety of fields with my passion for serving the community and developing partnerships will be a good fit for GameRT President-Elect.  I look forward learning and working with members of GameRT and  grateful for the opportunity to be a candidate for President-Elect. Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or would like to talk about gaming in libraries or just gaming in general, you can reach me at faragon@gwinnettpl.org and on the GameRT Discord.

    Have a wonderful day!



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    Fernando Aragon, M.Ed, MBA, MS
    Learning Labs Supervisor
    Gwinnett County Public Library
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