Gaming connects communities @ your library

Read, learn, play during International Games Day Nov. 3

CHICAGO – On Saturday, Nov. 3, more than 20,000 people in communities across the U.S. and around the world will celebrate the American Library Association’s fifth annual International Games Day @ your library. The event aims to reconnect communities through their libraries around the educational, recreational and social value of all types of games.

Why do libraries celebrate gaming? Library gaming programs encourage interaction between patrons of all ages and cultures. As games have evolved over the years to become more dynamic – requiring more interaction and socialization amongst players – so have libraries, by re-energizing themselves as community learning centers. Libraries still provide traditional services, but continue to change by offering new formats like video games and programs like family gaming nights.

“Games, like libraries, are ever changing and intergenerational,” said ALA President Maureen Sullivan. “No matter what age, game or experience level, gaming in libraries provides a space for diverse groups of people to come together in a way they can’t anywhere else in the community – in the spirit of play.”

Through the generous donations from International Games Day sponsors, this year registered libraries will receive free copies of Bookworm and Bookworm Adventures (2,000 copies via PopCap); Labyrinth (1,000 copies plus gaming coupons via Ravensburger); and access to all of GameTable Online’s games the day of the event.

During International Games Day, participating libraries from all 50 states and countries abroad including Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United Kingdom, will hold a variety of gaming activities that include modern board games, video games, card games and role-playing games, as well as two international video game tournaments featuring the games Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart time trials.

For example, at New York’s Mid-Manhattan Library, classic board games like Scrabble, Battleship, Checkers and Taboo will be available along-side newer games such Guitar Hero, Rock Band and others available on gaming consoles. More and more libraries are also featuring modern board games that are more social and involve more strategy than luck, such as Apples to Apples, Blokus, Carcassonne and other more interactive titles.

International Games Day @ your library is an annual initiative of the American Library Association to reconnect communities through their libraries around the educational, recreational and social value of all types of games. In 2011, nearly 28,000 people of all ages participated in gaming events at more than 1,400 registered libraries in the U.S., and 21 international libraries in 14 countries. The ALA anticipates that more than 20,000 people will participate in International Games Day 2012.

To find gaming events taking place in your community or for more information on International Games Day @ your library please visit http://ilovelibraries.org/gaming/or contact Jennifer Petersen, ALA PR Coordinator, at 312-280-5043 or jpetersen@ala.org.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 60,000 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 ala.org.

About GameTable Online

GameTable Online Inc. has been hosting quality strategy board games on the Internet since 2003 at www.gametableonline.com. With 29 game titles ranging from war games like Axis & Allies to elegant "Eurogames" such as Tigris & Euphrates, and classics like chess and backgammon, GTO has become the Internet center for strategy gaming. In 2012 GTO expanded into the world of roleplaying games with the launch of RPG Table Online, a virtual tabletop that enables traditional RPGs to be played via the internet. RPG Table Online can be found at www.rpgtableonline.com

About PopCap Games

PopCap Games is the leading global developer, publisher and operator of casual video games: fun, easy-to-learn, captivating games that appeal to all ages across PC, mobile, social and other platforms. Based in Seattle, Wash., PopCap was founded in 2000, was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2011, and has a worldwide staff of more than 400 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver, B.C., Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. PopCap's games have been downloaded over 1.5 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship franchise, Bejeweled^®, has sold more than 50 million units.

About Ravensburger

Newton, NH-based Ravensburger (www.ravensburger.com) is the U.S. subsidiary of Ravensburger Spieleverlag GmbH, a German toy and game manufacturer with a 129-year history of tradition. Founded in Ravensburg, Germany in 1883, Ravensburger is a leading producer of toys loved the world over and celebrated for its meticulous commitment to detail, high production standards and superior quality control. In addition to Ravensburger-branded puzzles, games and arts & crafts, the company is the exclusive distributor of WOW Preschool Toys and holds licenses for such well-known brands as Chuggington™, Thomas and Friends™, Tinga Tinga Tales™, The Hobbit™, Moshi Monsters™ and more.