Library offers new Community Game Night event

By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

If you’re looking to get out of the house and have fun playing some games, then look for further than the Monticello Public Library. 

The library will be rolling out a new collection for library patrons, beginning Monday, Nov. 4. The library’s circulating game collection will be available to those with a good-standing library card. You can either check out a game for the two-week period to play with friends and family at home, or to use within the library. 

MaDonna Kremer, who’s in charge of the library’s technology and adult services, said many libraries are developing game collections as a way to expand what libraries have to offer to patrons and the general public. 

“It’s about meeting the needs of the community,” said Kremer. 

Much like the library’s puzzle collection, the game collection is expected to be a hit for people of all ages. 

“We want to foster family time, social skills, and interaction around bringing people together,” said Kremer. 

In order to build the collection, the library was fortunate to receive free games from several companies, discounts from others. 

“We wrote to companies and asked if they would donate to our collection,” explained Kremer. “They were eager to get their games out because they might sell if people are exposed to them.” 

The value of donations from several game companies amounted to over $1,410. 

Twenty of the 40 games already in the collection will be available immediately for checkout on Nov. 4. Some of those games include: Murder of Crows, Ghosts Love Candy, Once Upon a Time, El Caballero, Memory, Heads Talk Tails Walk, Zingo, Tortuga 1667, Really Bad Art, and Apples to Apples. 

“This is an opportunity play the game a few times before you bring it back,” encouraged Kremer. She said these games might give parents a break, too, when it comes to the same ole games like Candy Land. 

“Entertain your kids, family or guests,” she said. 

If people have used games they want to get rid of, the library will gladly take donations for the collection. Kremer said sometimes game pieces go missing, so additional pieces is always welcome, too. 

“We’d prefer games that are complete versus those missing pieces,” she said. 

The library is developing a catalog system for the games, too, as well as a shelving system. 

Not all of the games the library has are board games. Some are card games, drawing games, educational games, strategy games, something for everyone. 

“These are not necessarily the games you’ll see at the store,” warned Kremer. “Some are unique.” 

Also on Nov. 4, the public is invited to the library to celebrate International Games Day. Between 4-7 p.m., people can play games inside the library in various groups, either using a game the library has or bringing your own to share with others. 

At 5:30 that evening, representatives from Dyersville Comics & Games will provide a demonstration of the game Tortuga 1667, a history-based game. Dyersville Comics will also return on Nov. 19 to teach people how to play Dungeons and Dragons. 

In addition, the Monticello library will host a drop-in Community Game Night from 4-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, beginning Nov. 19. 

“We’ll feature a new game to learn every time at 5:30 p.m.,” offered Kremer. 

The Community Game Night idea came from the Summer Reading Program after some adult readers made the suggestion. 

“We took in several ideas for potential programs for the future,” she said. “We looked at what we could do and accomplish and follow through on.” 

Kremer said the hope with the game nights is to have youngsters teaching older people a new game, and seniors teaching young people games they enjoyed growing up, too. 

You do not need to sign up in advance to attend the Nov. 4 International Game Day or any of the Community Game Nights. Anyone 7 and under must have an adult caretaker present with them while in the library. 

People can also bring beverages into the library as long as they have a lid. Refreshments will not be provided. 

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