Role-playing Games in Libraries

[Crazy Hedgehog]

Hi there, I’m a librarian based in the UK as well as an avid role-player, and am currently conducting some research on behalf of our library service. I’m looking at how local libraries and gaming groups can support each other, and what types of gaming materials might be appropriate for local libraries to have as stock – currently our library service does not stock anything in the way of rpg books or gaming aids.
If you have any experience or stories of using libraries for gaming in any way, I’d like to hear from you.
Here are some questions that I have:
1. Does your library stock rpg games? How easy are they to access (are they on a shelf, kept apart for special request, in the reference section, etc.)?
2. Does your library provide other gaming materials (dice, flipmats, paper or whiteboards)?
3. Does your gaming group meet in a library? Is your gaming group organized by the library, or does library just provide a venue? Do library staff take part?
4. Can you advertise for your gaming group at your public library?
5. Does your local library lend out other types of games – board games, video games? Are there games tournaments hosted by the library service?
6. What would you feel to be more effective, for a library to support games that local groups are known to play, or to stock some items for a variety of games, perhaps providing opportunities for gaming groups to sample different games?

Librarians especially, would be great to hear from you!

You may have seen this posted on another forum - if so, apologies for duplication.

Thanks for your time!

 

[PapersAndPaychecks]

Welp, I'm a UK-based gamer and both my normal places of work directly adjoin libraries. I can and do pop to the library three or four times a week at lunchtimes.

I've never seen a RPG book in a library, I've never seen a library provide or attempt to provide RPG facilities and I've never seen an advertisement for an RPG group in one. I've occasionally seen board games in libraries, but I've never played one there. I wouldn't know about video games, they might be there but I would walk past quite obliviously.

It had never occurred to me that a library could be a venue for a RPG. I mean, RPGs as I understand them go late into the night, and they involve copious quantities of beer. And shouting. Good-natured, boisterous type shouting, of course, but definitely shouting. There's also many other types of unrefined behaviour that I'm sure our long-suffering librarians wouldn't want to put up with.

 

[kitsune9]

I used to play in a library as a kid, but the librarians back in those days didn't understand D&D and didn't want us using the tables to play games. I pretty much had to cancel playing because they would always threaten to kick us out. I think libraries nowadays are more open, particularly if they have conference or study rooms.

 

[Lwaxy]

I play at a local library with one of my groups as of last week. We were referred there by the youth center, and basically have to take inventory nights and Wednesday game nights, because at all other times we would probably be too loud and disturb the other customers.

We have to bring out own stuff (mostly copies) , which is not only because the library can't get game supplements anymore (out of print) but also because we use English source material and we are in Germany.

As games can be pretty loud, it is tantamount to have an extra room or only being there when no one else could be disturbed. It also helps if there is a cafe or bar and a way to deliver pizza to. A locker to leave some game material is super helpful, too, we will get one eventually.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Some libraries have them and some don't- here's a recent thread discussing the issue: http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/315743-why-arent-rpgs-public-libraries.html

FWIW, my first ever gaming experience was in the library of East Middle School of Aurora, Colorado in 1977. However, all of the books belonged to the DM, with the exception of my PHB.

 

[nedjer]

Hi there, I’m a librarian based in the UK as well as an avid role-player, and am currently conducting some research on behalf of our library service. I’m looking at how local libraries and gaming groups can support each other, and what types of gaming materials might be appropriate for local libraries to have as stock – currently our library service does not stock anything in the way of rpg books or gaming aids.
If you have any experience or stories of using libraries for gaming in any way, I’d like to hear from you.
Here are some questions that I have:
1. Does your library stock rpg games? How easy are they to access (are they on a shelf, kept apart for special request, in the reference section, etc.)?
2. Does your library provide other gaming materials (dice, flipmats, paper or whiteboards)?
3. Does your gaming group meet in a library? Is your gaming group organized by the library, or does library just provide a venue? Do library staff take part?
4. Can you advertise for your gaming group at your public library?
5. Does your local library lend out other types of games – board games, video games? Are there games tournaments hosted by the library service?
6. What would you feel to be more effective, for a library to support games that local groups are known to play, or to stock some items for a variety of games, perhaps providing opportunities for gaming groups to sample different games?

Librarians especially, would be great to hear from you!

You may have seen this posted on another forum - if so, apologies for duplication.

Thanks for your time!

Hi

I don't use RPGs in libraries, but my work involves a lot of roleplaying scenarios, situational learning and gamification in teaching and learning contexts.

You might have already come across theeescapist.com, which is jam-packed with RPG advocacy materials for any audience. There could well be some helpful arguments/ material there.

My own RPG/ imaginative games advocacy site tries to avoid duplicating William J Walton's work and is more for games designers, teachers, tutors and, maybe, players with kids. Not sure how much emphasis your service would put on the literacy/ executive skills/ training in e-commerce side of gaming activities, but there's quite a lot on the topic there: Thistle Games.

 

[Tonguez]

Back in the 80's our local library was the place to be after school with board and card games and homework projects, they even got me into doing dioramas. Anyway they had a copy of the Fiend Folio on the shelf and two other books about RPGs in general (I think it was called the Adventurers Guide or somesuch).

Anyway we did get to play a few scenarios using our own 2d6 rules but nothing 'organised'. I later learnt that that Library was pretty unique and one of the best in town...

 

[S'mon]

I've never even thought of playing in a library! We always play in pubs. Hmmm....

The main thing I look for is a private room available until 10pm week nights, or ca 12pm-7pm at weekends. I haven't been in my (very good) local library in Tooting for about (edit) 6 years, so I've no idea when they're even open.

I wouldn't think stocking RPG supplies was a good idea, they'll only get nicked. Space and maybe advertising availability seem much more important.

 

[Zelda Themelin]

I used to game in libraries. To avoid my annoying family and my friend's room that was total mess (only one where we could avoid annoying parents). So we got ourselves library's study room, playing out at open table was too noisy. Later on they started to complain we were too noisy as other people in next study-room complained. Problem with rpg:s is, that you tend to get exited and then volyme sneekily grows.

We kinda realized this was not working and ended up playing lot on my place (despite annoying parents) and friend's horror-room. Well, it was cool too, but I felt sad for all those rare comics that got stepped over while they lied there amidst of used and un-used clothes on the floor.

So library's are still good, if you pretend to be studiyng something. And you have generally low voice level group.

I tried some bars, not really proper pubs here, though some likeness exists. But games got constantly intrupted by some drunk inching for conflict or social interaction. Or commented.

We also sometimes played on public transports like trains, yeh I had really thick skin.

Generally speaking you put yourself somewhat to fire whenever you step out from comforts of the house. You get intruptions. Curious, angry, "too much noice", jerky, need to be included somehow. Study rooms kinda work. Otherwise public game is like public singing when you don't really sound that good/too weird.

Ah also with librearies there was the closing time. You had to be out before 20:00. When we continued game at buss stops and missed couple of busses maybe.

 

[S'mon]

Generally speaking you put yourself somewhat to fire whenever you step out from comforts of the house. You get intruptions. Curious, angry, "too much noice", jerky, need to be included somehow.

That's the great thing about the English - they practically never do that. It makes playing in English pubs very practical, whereas I wouldn't fancy trying it in a bar in Belfast or Glasgow. Or Australia or Tennessee.