Contact: Macey Morales
ALA Media Relations Manager
(312) 280-4393
mmorales@ala.org
NEWS
For Immediate Release,
November 10, 2009
Read, learn, play during National Gaming Day @ your library
CHICAGO – Each year, families from coast to coast visit their local libraries to take part in National Gaming Day @ your library. On Nov. 14, libraries showcase family friendly gaming events that demonstrate the recreational and educational value of board and video games.
“Libraries are constantly updating their collections to keep in pace with the social and educational demands of the communities they serve,” said American Library Association (ALA) President Dr. Camila Alire. “We have found that by adding board and video game formats to library collections we are providing users with tools to build strong literacy practices while sharpening technical and critical thinking skills. Also, gaming continues to attract diverse users to our nation’s libraries.”
Studies on gaming show that adult patrons who attended library gaming events were more open to using other library services. Also, libraries report that young users who have visited the library to play games return to use other free resources, such as homework help programs.
Video games have become an important tool to reach the elderly. Libraries are using gaming systems like Wii to motivate seniors. The Clermont County (Ohio) Public Library has partnered with a local health organization to host senior Wii gaming events that educate local seniors on the importance of keeping mentally and physically active. Ã
According to a survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, more than half of American adults play video games. Twenty-three percent of survey respondents 65 and older and 40 percent of those 50-64 report playing video games.
During National Gaming Day, libraries are providing a variety of programs. The Southington Public Library in Hartford, Conn., is encouraging residents to help the library set a world record for the most people playing "Guitar Hero" at the same time, while the Naperville (Ill.) Public Library is holding a Beatles Rock Band tournament, and teens in Denver will play card, video and board games during a lock-in at the Carbon Valley Regional Library.Ã Ã
Hundreds of libraries will participate in an ALA national video game tournament via the Web. Players of all ages and experience levels will be able to see how they rank on local, regional and national leaderboards. The video game tournament is made possible by free Web-based tools provided by the Ann Arbor (Mich.) District Library.
Many library celebrations will feature board games from Hasbro. Through a generous donation from Hasbro, more than 16,700 public libraries in the U.S. will receive a box set of its highly popular card games Monopoly Deal, Scrabble Slam, and Pictureka!
National Gaming Day @ your library is an annual initiative sponsored by the American Library Association, and celebrates the popularity, as well as the recreational and educational value of board, card and video games. Hasbro is the exclusive corporate sponsor of National Gaming Day @ your library 2009.
To find gaming events in your community or for more information on National Gaming Day @ your library please visit
http://tinyurl.com/ngdpk09 .
About the ALA
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 67,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information. For more information on the American Library Association please visit
www.ala.org.
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at
http://www.hasbro.com. (C) 2008 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved