When people think about libraries, they often imagine rows of dusty bookshelves. However, libraries are evolving and changing with the times, and one new addition that is gaining popularity is board gaming. Board games can be a great way to entertain and educate people of all ages, and your library should offer them as part of its collection.
Board Games in History
Board games have been entertaining and educating people all over the world for thousands of years. Starting as something as simple as dice games, then changing over time to something like Senet, a game played in Ancient Egypt. Going on from there to something like chess a few thousand years later. Coming up to our modern times with games like Yahtzee, Monopoly, Clue and so many more.
With such a hugely diverse history games have constantly evolved and changed into what they are today.
The Benefits of Board Game Fun
Playing board games supports sharper thinking skills, better long-term memory skills, problem solving skills, and reduces stress in individuals while increasing overall happiness due to the release of endorphins during play.
They also increase communication skills, geographic knowledge, math skills, literacy and hand-eye coordination in young children, as well as healthy brain development in older kids and teens and assist in practicing essential cognitive skills for adults.
Plus, board games are fun for all ages!
How to use your ILS for Board games
Some ILS (integrated library system), like Surpass, will allow you to create customized cataloging templates for board games. In Surpass, Templates make original cataloging easy by including only the MARC fields and subfields that you intend to use for a particular type of item. Templates allow you to control the layout and placement of MARC fields and subfields.
How You Can Get Started
If you do not currently have any board games, then building up a collection with a few board games for each group (kids, teens and adults/elders) is a good way to start. That way you will have something for all of your visitors to enjoy.
Once you have a collection of games, consider hosting gaming events for people of all ages.
Unsure What to Get?
Some suggestions for board games for the various age groups.
Board games for kids
- Chutes and Ladders
- Hi Ho! Cherry-O
- Dixit
Board games for teens and adults/elders
- Settlers of Catan
- Scrabble
- Clank!
- Here to Slay
- Tidal Blades
- Sheriff of Nottingham
- Mission: Red Planet
Why Should Your Library Offer Board Games?
Board games can be a beneficial activity for libraries to offer for visitors of all ages due to their endless benefits. Therefore, all libraries should make an effort to implement them as one of their offerings, whether by allowing patrons to take them home or play on-site.
About Surpass
Surpass Cloud is the easy-to-use, cloud-based library management system for libraries of all types and sizes. Whether you’re a school, church, museum, business, or any other organization with resources to lend, Surpass is likely a good fit for you. We pride ourselves on being affordable and flexible, with an expert support team ready to help you at a moment’s notice.
Schedule a free demo to see Surpass in action.
