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Gaming Unplugged: Bringing board games to

your libraryLea Cason, Susan Mythen, Madeline Sims

Florida State College at Jacksonville

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Why board games?

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Library anxiety is realPopular collections and familiar items make patrons feel welcome

Games make our libraries look like fun places to be

If students/patrons equate the library with positive feelings, they are more likely to come to us for research help

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guides.fscj.edu/games

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Now what?• Who is your audience?• What is the purpose of your collection?• Programming?• Circulation?• Branding?

• Do you have a game expert/enthusiast?• What’s your budget?

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Game selection• Party games• Cards Against Humanity, Sushi Go, Wits and Wagers

• Classic games• ( ) Monopoly• ( ) Chess, Clue, Scrabble

• Strategy games• Settlers of Catan, Pandemic, Ticket to Ride

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Choose the best games for your audience!

Photo courtesy @GeekandSundry via Instagram

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Use your research skillsCheck out other library collections

Academic• University North Texas• Oregon State University• University of Illinois• Seminole State College• American University

Public• Kendallville, IN• Elmhurst, IL• Bucks County, PA• Deerfield, IL

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Web Resources• BoardGameGeek.com• BoardGaming.com

Facebook• League of Librarian Gamers (GAMERT)

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Things to consider

• Time to play•Difficulty level/weight•Number of players• Themes•Price point

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Where/how to purchase

• Amazon• FLGS – Friendly Local Game Store• PHD Games – Peachstate Hobby Distribution

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Cataloging Board Games…

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• August 2017 ~ 50 games• Brief records à full cataloging records = more discoverability• University of North Texas library (https://iii.library.unt.edu)• Initial setup and preparation

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• Bib record essentials• K.I.S.S.• Not as obscure as you think• Amazon as backup

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Under the hood…

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Under the hood continued…

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Why subject headings are important

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Circulating Board Games

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Can I checkout a Game?

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Yes You Can!

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7 Day checkout2 games

Circulation

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catalog tells us the weight of the game we weigh it before it leaves and when it is returned

Supplies

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Processing

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http://games.ala.org/international-games-week/

Libraries can host a gaming event during or near this week to be eligible for registration for donations.

Registration will open in early July 2018

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Using LibGuides to Promote Your Board Game Collection

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We use our guide to introduce people to the idea of games in libraries, to highlight our collection, and to justify expenditures

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The Getting Started page directs patrons to resources for the hobby and beginner-friendly games

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Each game has its own page

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We include information such as: number of players, time required, level of difficulty, and theme.

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Embedded on each page are a PDF of the rules and a YouTube video on how to play the game.

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Create some reusable elements in Word, Canva, or other design software.

These are quick elements made in Word that can be copied into multiple pages and edited for each game.

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We use Canva to create social media images that can also be embedded in the Game guide and the main Library guide.

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Use QR codes to link shelf talkers to your LibGuide or other online content.

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Questions?