International Games Week

         International Games Week started out as a simple idea, can you set a world record by having the most number of people playing the same game, at the same time, on the same day at libraries around the world? Jenny Levine and Scott Nicholson sparked the idea in 2007. They called it National Game Day. In 2012, the name changed from National Games Day to International Games Day, then in 2017, it changed names again to what we now know, International Games Week. The event has grown to include all seven continents.

    The date for this year's International Games Week is November 7-13, 2021. During this week, libraries from around the world participate in local and international activities. The events vary by location. Past events would include a Rock Band concert, Mario Kart Tournaments, and simple board games. Things have changed a little bit with COVID-19. This year they have included some downloadable games for you to print out and play.

Below is the link to the PDF of all the Print and Play games:

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Czi51aZIl6hEq5wowFhILR_Quc90ZqxA/view

   International Games Week sponsors include:

American Library Association  https://www.ala.org/

Australian Library And Information Association   https://www.alia.org.au/

L'Associazione Italiana Biblioteche  https://internationalgamesdayitalia.wordpress.com/

Nordic Game Week    https://nordicgameday.wordpress.com/

Finnish Games Week  https://nordicgameday.wordpress.com/category/finland/

For more information about International Games Week and the sponsors visit the following website:

https://games.ala.org/international-games-week/

    Did you know that your library system has games for the following systems; Wii Gaming Console, Playstation Gaming Console, Xbox Gaming Consoles, and the Nintendo Gaming Systems? If you are 18 and older, all you need is a current library card. You are allowed to check out 2 games at a time and you are allowed to keep them for one (1) week. As the systems change, we strive to keep up with the current games. 

   On a personal note, games have evolved since I was a child. My first gaming system was the old Atari system. We loved that game system. My children have grown up with the Super Nintendo to the Nintendo Switch and much more. Now both of my youngest boys play RPG online with their friends and people all across the county. There is something to be said about the classic board games. When the weather gets bad and we think the lights are going to go out, we break out the battery-powered lanterns and some of our favorite board games. 

   Did you have a favorite board game or a favorite video game as a child? Do you play games on your phone/tablet, if so, what are some of your favorite games?

Photo Credit: https://games.ala.org/igw_promos/