Shall We Play A Game?

If you're like Matthew Broderick and responded, "Love to," then November is your month. International Games Month, an annual celebration of gaming and libraries run by library associations across the world, including the United States, is celebrated every November. You may think that games have nothing to do with libraries or books but think again!

There are some obvious connections, like games based on literary works. Some examples jump right out: Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher series lent itself to the (arguably better) video game series. There's a Game of Thrones board game, and a separate card game, both based on George R. R. Martin's series of the same name. Some are a little more obscure: SimCity was inspired by Urban Dynamics by Jay W. Forrester and a short story from The Cyberiad by Stanisław Lem. I could go on and on; these games number in the thousands.

But, do we even need to draw these parallels? Libraries that shush still exist and have their function, but libraries as a welcoming third place are growing by leaps and bounds. Many Mississippi libraries offer themselves as a place where patrons can have fun and learn. MLC's Special Collection Coordinator Charlie Simpkins says, "Adults need playtime, too. Games aren't just for kids." And he's right.

Have you always wanted to master the game of chess? Ask your local library if they have a chess club. Want to try DND but don't have a gaming group? Yep, check at your local library. Do you like getting together with friends for a board game night? That's right--try your local library. MLC offers games for all ages for libraries to use for game nights and/or special gaming communities, so your library can be a gaming mecca all year long. ALA's Games and Gaming Round Table has put together an amazing list of printable games and online resources.

Ursula K. Le Guin once said, "A library is a focal point, a sacred place to a community; and its sacredness is its accessibility, its publicness. It’s everybody’s place." We agree. It's an excellent place to learn, to grow, and to play. Let's play a game, shall we?