Through the 2023 Game On! grant, $500.00 was awarded to assist the Butler Area Public Library in Butler, PA. We have received a report from Anita Bowser to share as an update on how the library was able to utilize the funds that they received.
Anita shared this about how the funds were used:
At Butler Area Public Library, we were excited to use the GameOn! grant to purchase multi-lingual board games to circulate among our English Language Learner (ELL) patrons and to host game events appealing to a diverse group of visitors. This was part of a broader effort, which resulted in a 125 percent increase in Latinx participation in library services and programs since the fall of 2022.For some time, the library has circulated a variety of tabletop games for English speaking patrons and hosted quarterly game events for adults and teens. These efforts have seen gradual increases in popularity over time and are seen as successful efforts.
Seeing increased cultural and language diversity in our community, and anticipating more to come, it has become increasingly important for the library to improve access for visitors who are not proficient in English. Spanish language books and signage, translation technology at the Circulation and Reference desks, and multi-cultural programs and events have been incorporated into the library’s repertoire in recent years.
What was missing was games for non-English players and game events geared toward families with children of various ages. For our library, the GameOn! grant could not have come at a better time.
The GameOn! grant allowed us to offer patrons 22 new multi-lingual games for various age groups, with an emphasis on Spanish language games and games familiar to a Latinx population. Some of the games we selected were Loteria – a kind of Bingo; Perpientes Y Escalaras – Snakes & Ladders; iDios Mio!; Dudo Dice; UNO; and, Spanish Bananagrams.
Several games were chosen for their multi-language instructions and their ability to integrate players of different languages. Games like Sequence, Quixo, Pylos, and Qawale do not need a common language for play and have game-play directions in English, Spanish, French, and German.
Several of the new games have the added benefit of English speakers learn and improve their Spanish language skills. This includes memory card games, Get Loud – a bilingual guessing word game celebrating Latino culture, and Scrabble Edicion en Espanol.
By publicizing the games and events to local Mexican restaurants, social service staff, educators, and a local ESL class, we were able to raise awareness of the games and events among Spanish speakers in our community. In the first six months, 88 percent of the new games have circulated at least once with Loteria and Pylos being the most popular.
English and Spanish speakers attended four family game events. Attendance started low, but grew with each consecutive event. More than 20 people attended the most recent event, which was held on a Friday afternoon. Based on our experience so far, game nights haven’t been as successful as daytime events. During the 2024-2025 school year, we plan to host three family game events on Saturday afternoons.
Our plan is to continue holding three family game events annually, with an emphasis on inclusion of non-English game players. Going forward, we will make a strong effort to broadcast events and details of our Spanish language game collection to students at area elementary, middle and high schools to keep up game circulation and sustain family game events.
