Ever wanted to run a Pokémon Club at your library but weren’t sure where to start? The Pokémon Club program has you covered!
What to Expect
ALSC and AASL have partnered with The Pokémon Company International to bring the Pokémon Club program to AASL and ALSC. members.
Clubs are meant to be a friendly, inclusive space in which young players can learn and develop skills through the Pokémon Trading Card Game, including strategic thinking, math, reading comprehension, and creativity.
As part of the program, participating libraries will be provided with kits to run Pokémon Clubs aimed at ages 5-14. Kits include materials and resources (such as Battle Academy games, Pokémon cards for in-library gameplay, and more), scaffolded activities, and prizing for children interested in learning about and playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). Kits also include activities for children who are more generally interested in Pokémon but not necessarily the TCG.
What’s Required
Participation in the Pokémon Club program requires a membership in either AASL or ALSC; if you are not already a member, you can find information about membership here. (Please note: ALA Membership is required to join either division).
On top of the membership requirement, libraries running a Pokémon Club should meet regularly (at minimum monthly, but preferred meetings are weekly or bi-weekly), and staff will be expected to report back to ALSC and AASL on basic data including number of participants, types of activities, and general feedback.
The kit must also be mailed to your library directly – Pokémon Club kits will not be shipped to home addresses.
How to Apply
Before you apply, be sure to read through all of the information on the Pokémon Club program on the ALSC website. Then, submit your application here.
Kits for the program will begin shipping out November 1, 2025 – just in time to get your club in gear before the holidays. Please note that you will be notified if your application has been approved – we may not be able to accommodate every library that applies.
Have questions about this program? Email pokemon@ala.org.