International Games Month

International Games Month is an initiative to reconnect communities through their libraries around the educational, recreational, and social value of all types of games.

Description & History

National Games Day was started by Jenny Levine and Scott Nicholson in 2007. This free event grew out of an idea to attempt to set a world’s record for the number of people playing the same game at the same time at libraries around the world. National Games Day became International Games Day (IGD) in 2012, International Games Week (IGW) in 2017, and finally International Games Month (IGM) in 2022. It has grown to include events on all seven continents. Even today, it is still raising awareness of games and gaming in libraries to publishers and the public. This event has become a valuable way for libraries and their communities to join together and engage in play each year. *

Sponsor

Professional Learning Resources

International Games Month

The landing page for the annual event. This page includes registration and resources. Registration is not required, but sponsors each year donate games and materials for distribution.

Games in School Libraries

A podcast that can be particularly useful to new gamers. Elementary librarians - check out episode 16 with T Caires recommending awesome games. Secondary librarians - listen to episode 160 with Scott Nicholson discussing puzzle games and escape rooms.

ALA Programming Librarian

The ALA Programming Librarian blog has a collection of programming ideas from librarians, including ones that are about using games in the library.

ALA Programming Librarian: The Oregon Trail

Check out this blog using The Oregon Trail game in the library as a live action simulation of the game. The primary focus of this activity is to teach financial literacy and reinforce history with teens.

ALA Programming Librarian: The Oregon Trail

This blog also uses the Oregon Trail game as a choose-your-own-adventure theme where the participants are the video game but emphasizes critical thinking and historical knowledge. Super fun!

ALA Programming Librarian: Circulating Board Game Collection

This blog discusses how to circulate board games as a collection, which could be used at all levels.

ALA Programming Librarian: Video Game Club

How about starting a video game club? This is a perfect fit for secondary libraries, especially if you have an esports team or if you are looking to start a club about video game.

ALA Programming Librarian: Game and Activity Day

Need a little more activity and movement? How about a Game and Activity Day in the library? Read this blog with several suggestions of games and activities librarians can host in the library for all ages.

Beginner’s Guide to Hosting a Board Game Night

This blog is written for public libraries, but includes useful recommendations to consider when making plans for family events in schools.

Benefits of Using Board Games in the Classroom

An article outlining why board games in schools are a great idea for our students. It describes using board games in the classroom, but the ideas and why board games are good for students are easily transferable to a school library.

Board Game Geek

Board Game Geek is an extensive site for gamers, including forums, reviews, and adaptations or how-to-play ideas.

Game On for Elementary Learning

An on-demand session from ALA e-Learning that discusses strategies to include games in the elementary library.

Learner Engagement Resources

Games for Students

Games for Students at International Games Month includes a selection of print-and-play games which can be downloaded and shared in libraries and classrooms.

Book Lists

International Games Month Book List

Take a look at this Wakelet with book suggestions for K-12 students.