ALA Conference Gaming Pavilion to showcase latest trends in gaming
Contact: Macey Morales
Manager, ALA-PIO Media Relations
(312) 280-4393
mmorales@ala.org
NEWS
For Immediate Release
June 17, 2008
Pavilion participants include Alliance Game Distributors, Chicago Toy & Game Fair, Demco Inc., Gen Con LLC, Nintendo of America, Screenlife, LLC, Wizards of the Coast and many more
CHICAGO - Historically, libraries are well known as key providers of print resources, but as the role of libraries continues to change, so do the literacy formats they offer their users. On June 27 to July 1, Anaheim Convention Center, Exhibit Floor, the American Library Association (ALA) Gaming Pavilion, will showcase the latest format to support literacy in libraries – Gaming.
The ALA Gaming Pavilion will showcase videogames such as “Wii Fit,”(TM) “Big Brain Academy,”(TM) “Brain Age 2,”(TM) “Professor Layton”(TM) and “Crosswords DS.”(TM) There will also be a selection of board games and tabletop games for all ages including “Kapla
,” “You’ve Been Sentenced” and “Play Ball.” Attendees will also have free access to role-playing games, puzzles and interactive DVD-based games like “Scene It?”
"Library staff report that three-fourths of library patrons participating in a gaming event return for other library activities and services," said ALA President Loriene Roy. "This new format is assisting libraries in attracting a broad range of users, reinforces literacy skills and in many cases frames the local library as a family destination."
Throughout the country libraries of all types are holding video tournaments, creating Gaming Clubs, bringing in gaming equipment, video screens and providing a social experience not found elsewhere in the community. As a result, library attendance among some of the hardest to reach demographics – children, teenagers and college students - is growing exponentially.
In addition to being a big draw to younger library users, many games appeal to entire families. With new systems like the Nintendo Wii and a mix of traditional and modern tabletop games available, all members of the family can play - from kids to grandparents.
Gaming Pavilion exhibitors include ALA Gaming HQ, Alliance Game Distributors, Burgeon Group, Chicago Toy & Game Fair, Circle 1 Network, Demco, GenCon, Nintendo of America, Screenlife Games, Top Trumps USA,Wizards of the Coast, YMIR and Ultimate Puzzle.
Library staff interested in Gaming will participate in “Open Gaming Night,” held from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., June 27 at the Anaheim Hyatt. The Verizon Foundation will sponsor the event, and attendees will try to outwit each other while playing video, role-playing and board games. ALA President Loriene Roy also will present three presidential citations recognizing innovative contributions to library gaming programs and services.
Conference attendees also will participate in a conference wide scavenger hunt called “California Dreaming” on June 28 and 29. The hunt will encourage participants to explore the state’s history, books, authors and popular culture.
The ALA Annual Conference is the largest library gathering in the world, with more than 2,000 meetings, discussion groups, special events, tours and programs on various topics affecting libraries and librarians. For more information on the conference, please visit
www.ala.org/annual.
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 65,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.
