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CHICAGO – The American Library Association’s Games & Gaming Round Table (GameRT) is pleased to announce the Butler Area Public Library (Butler, PA) as the recipient of its 2023 Game On! Grant ($500). GameRT introduced the Game On! before. Grant program in 2020 with the intention of providing libraries with an opportunity to receive funding to develop games programs or collections for their community. The grants allow GameRT to award one $500 grant or two $250 grants each year.
The Butler Area Public Library will use grants to start a bilingual games program. They already offer games programs, but their collection doesn’t include games in Spanish. Because there is a large Spanish-speaking community, BAPL wants to offer more programs and resources in Spanish. The BAPL grant application states, “The family play events will attract members of the Latinx community to the library, where they will benefit from all library services and resources.” These ongoing events will benefit the broader community by promoting unity and cultural understanding .”
Rebecca Strang, former President of GameRT and Chair of Game On! The Grant jury said: “The game goes on! The Grants Committee is pleased that libraries are offering bilingual game programs to encourage community growth. There were several great applications this year, but BAPL’s bilingual plan was unique among the applications and they presented a clear goal with meaningful results. We look forward to hearing your report on how the program is being received in your community next year. Given the care and attention they put into selecting their games, we expect the program to be a success they can repeat for years to come.”
Check out more information about the game! Scholarship and application process.
About the Games and Gaming Round Table
The American Library Association’s Games and Gaming Round Table (GameRT) offers librarians interested in the use of games and gaming in libraries of all kinds a meeting place and a place to meet and exchange ideas. Founded in 2011, GameRT replaced and expanded the already existing gaming members interest group. As a round table, GameRT is based on our shared passion for games and the use of games in libraries. With members from all types of libraries, GameRT covers a wide variety of viewpoints, situations, and user types. For more information, see the GameRT blog.
About ALA
Founded in 1876, the American Library Association (ALA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed to provide leadership in the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the librarian profession Encourage learning and ensure access to information for all.
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