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.

  • 1.  Popular Tabletop Games at Your University/College Library?

    Posted Apr 12, 2023 08:27 PM
    Hi all, 

    I suddenly have $500 to spend in buying tabletop games over the next few weeks. I wonder if any of you would be willing to share your top 10-15 most popularly checked out or used tabletop games? 

    Additionally, I am thinking of spending some of this money on a D&D Starter Kit set. Any recommendations for how/what to put into this? 

    Thanks so much!
    Jeffra

    --
    Jeffra Diane Bussmann (she/her/hers), MLIS
    Associate Librarian
    Liaison to Chemistry/Biochemistry, Mathematics, Physics
        and the Institute for STEM Education
    Interim Liaison to Earth & Environmental Sciences, 
       and Engineering

    California State University, East Bay
    University Library
    25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
    Hayward, CA 94542

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  • 2.  RE: Popular Tabletop Games at Your University/College Library?

    Posted Apr 13, 2023 11:38 AM
    Edited by Elizabeth Brown Apr 13, 2023 11:39 AM

    Congrats on the windfall, Jeffra! The Board Game Geek Top 50 list is a good place to start. From the list I would say Wingspan, Root, and Catan are all must-haves.
    A few that aren't on the list but which I would consider necessities include Uno, Ticket to Ride, Villainous, Apples to Apples, and some really basic stuff like checkers, chess, and/or go sets. 

    Twilight Imperium and Betrayal at House on the Hill are the two most played games our board game club uses- but those games are kind of elaborate, which is what the club likes, so they might not be the best selections for a general audience. It depends on what your collecting focus is. 

    For D&D- get the Starter Set and the Core Rules Set and then monitor to see whether the popularity warrants additional purchasing in the future. Between those two sets, you've got the essentials. 

    You can also see a bunch of other librarian game recommendations on the GameRT Blog - look for the monthly "GameRT Recommends" feature.
    ------------------------------
    Elizabeth Brown
    Outreach & Instruction Librarian
    University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------