Often when I am at the library providing reader’s advisory services, I get asked by young folks, “Can you recommend a book to me?” My immediate follow-up is, “Well, what do you like?” I tell them that it doesn’t have to be a book; it could be a favorite character, movie, or activity. This sparks so many conversations about what youth feel very passionately about. Often, I pocket these conversations not only to help in the moment, but also for later programming ideas.
Category: Gaming
Pokémon Club: More to Explore
In October 2025, ALSC and AASL announced a partnership with The Pokémon Company International to help kickstart Pokémon Clubs at libraries across the country. This launch kickstarted a Poké-craze with librarians, myself included, with many folks interested in starting their very own club. With many librarians asking “how,” ALSC Blogger Ariel Barreras shared some of her preparations for Pokémon Club earlier this year. Now that we are in the throes of summer, and many of our patrons have more time on their hands, I thought it would be a great time to share some additional resources for those who are looking to change up their regular sessions, or for those who are interested in having a summer club!
Better with Bingo: Meeting Outcomes Through Game Play
Bingo nights are a sure-fire programming hit! Highly adaptable to themes, literacy tie-ins, and intergenerational fun, these nights are popular and potent for supporting larger library outcomes. Types of Bingo If you want to keep it to the basics, you can play with a standard board with numbers. Add some fun by changing the winning outcome. You can play until players get a bingo, a blackout, borders, and more. If you have the time to dip your toes into theming and literacy connections, you can adapt the board yourself or buy premade sets.
Solve This!: Gameify Readers’ Advisory with Virtual Escape Rooms
To me, readers’ advisory is one of the most fun parts of being a librarian. I am always trying to find new ways to recommend books to kids. Like the Alameda County Library (CA), my library has a program that makes recommendations based on a questionnaire for patrons looking for a personal recommendation. Then, a few years ago, I created a virtual readers’ advisory website that made it easier for patrons to search for books without the catalog. But something was missing. Over the past few months, I started to think about a way to turn my virtual readers’ advisory into a more gamified approach. It wasn’t until I was running an in-person escape room program that I had an idea: a readers’ advisory virtual escape room!
Yo! Book Fest: The Young People’s Book Festival
At the end of October, I had the pleasure of attending the first Young People’s Book Festival hosted at Black Rock Middle School in Southeastern Pennsylvania. This free event was hosted by the middle school librarian, student ambassadors, and a local bookstore to highlight some amazing local authors and illustrators. Below are highlights from this year’s inaugural festival.
Make Library Card Sign-Up Month Sweet with Life-Size Board Games
Happy Library Card Sign-Up Month! Each September, ALA celebrates the joy of getting a library card. This year’s theme, “One Card, Endless Possibilities” focused on the limitless rewards and benefits you can access with a library card. At my library, one of our patrons’ favorite things to do is play games. Our Library of Things collection is filled with games, and we have multiple in-house game collections for families to play in the library. So when it was time to work with our Patron Services Department to create an event to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month, we landed on hosting a life-size board game program very quickly.
Reading Beyond the Blocks: Books for Minecraft Fans
In just a few weeks, A Minecraft Movie will be playing in theaters. My patrons are super excited to see one of their favorite games come to life on the big screen. And what better way to celebrate a new movie than with a fantastic book? If your patrons also love all things Minecraft, here are some books to help them get ready for the new film.
Game On! with ALA Play
One of my favorite events at #ALAAC2024 is ALA Play sponsored by the Games and Gaming Round Table. Traditionally, it is on the Friday night of Annual and takes place in an entire ballroom. Yes, there are that many games! What happens at ALA Play? Everyone plays games! Board games, Role-Playing Games (RPGs), and, this year, video games on Nintendo Switch.