Reaching Teens with Gaming

This course is not currently being offered as part of this year’s course schedule; however, for groups who have 20 or more individuals interested in taking the course, we can offer it exclusively to your organization!

Gaming at the library refers to board, card, role-playing, and big games, not just digital video games. Thinking about hosting board game nights or starting a circulating video game collection? Already offering Rock band and Mario Kart and looking for a next step program? Would you like to engage Runescape players, RPGers, or use a big game to promote the library? These topics, and more, will be covered in this session. The main focus is to educate non-gamers about what games are and introducing librarians to the many formats of hobby that engages the free time of their teen clientele. The session concludes with creating a plan of service to engage gamers at the library.  

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will:

  • Understand the connection between gaming & literacy.
  • Learn how to advocate for all types of games in your school, public or academic library.
  • Try a variety of games to gain first-hand knowledge of what they are and how they function.
  • Discover best practices in services to gamers, including collections and programs that involve and support gaming.
  • Create a plan of service for gamers at your library.

Who Should Attend

  • Teen services librarians
  • Public library workers
  • School library workers
  • Teachers
  • Administrators
  • Any literacy-focused professional who works directly with teens and/or tweens.

Instructor

Beth Gallaway, author of Game On: Gaming at the Library (Neal-Schuman, 2009), was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker in 2006 for her work in advocating for videogames in libraries. She is an independent library trainer/consultant specializing in gaming, technology, and youth services.

Registration

Cost

With a group offering, all registrants, regardless of membership status, will receive the YALSA member rate.

Group offering without CEUs - $155 per person
Group offering with CEUs - $175 per person
 

How to Register

This course is currently available only as an organization-exclusive offering. For inquiries about how employees at your organization can participate in an offering exclusive to your group, please contact Program Officer, Continuing Education Nicole Gibby-Munguia at nmunguia@ala.org or 1-312-280-5293.

Payment is accepted via check, money order, purchase order or credit card. Fax registrations are accepted for credit card and purchase orders only.

Tech Requirements

This e-course is hosted through Moodle.

CEUs

For organizations requesting an organization-exclusive offering of the course, an application for CEU credits may be filed upon request. This six-week course may be eligible for 1.5 CEU credits.

Contact

Contact YALSA's Program Officer, Continuing Education, at yalsa@ala.org or 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5293.