Prairie State College Library selected as recipient of the first $500 Game On! Grant from GameRT

CHICAGO, IL – The Games & Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association is pleased to announce Prairie State College Library as the recipient of their Game On! Grant for 2020. GameRT introduced the new grant program in January with the intention of providing libraries with the opportunity to receive funds to develop gaming programs or collections for their community. The grants allow for GameRT to award one grant of $500 or two of $250 each year and any type of library is eligible to apply.

Matthew Root of Prairie State College Library (Chicago Heights, IL) submitted the winning application which proposed expanding the library’s outreach services and engagement actives to students in an effort to provide programming opportunities that focus on creating a third space for students that encourages collaboration, relaxation, critical thinking, and play. Prairie State College Library was awarded a $500 Game On! Grant.

"The Prairie State College Library is excited to be awarded the Game On! Grant from GameRT,” Root said, “We look forward to utilizing the funds to create a space for students to socialize, rest, and recharge in our library during their busy college life. We want to thank the GameRT for their generous grant and support."

Jessica Parij, GameRT President-Elect and chair of the Game On! Grant Jury said, “We had an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to our first year offering the Game On! Grant, and the grant jury had an extremely difficult decision between dozens of very high quality applicants. GameRT is committed to elevating the important role of gaming in libraries, and we were so pleased to see so many libraries across the country with such a strong interest in starting or growing their gaming programs and collections.”

Find more information on the Game on! Grant and the application process.

About the Games and Gaming Round Table
The Games and Gaming Round Table (GameRT) of the American Library Association provides a venue for librarians interested in the use of games and gaming in libraries of all types a place to gather and share. GameRT was formed in 2011, replacing and extending the pre-existing gaming member interest group. As a round table, GameRT is built around our shared passion for games and the use of gaming within libraries. With members from all types of libraries, GameRT encompasses a wide variety of viewpoints, situations, and user types. Look for more information on the GameRT blog.

About ALA
Established in 1876, the American Library Association (ALA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

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