Summer is in full swing. At the North Plains Public Library this means that our 12 computers are being used during the day even more than during the rest of the year. The other day there was quite a wait for access and we had a building full of young people. Nice!
I spent some time chatting with the various groups but the whole time I was wishing I had some board games (other than Scrabble) that I could bring out to engage them while they waited. I learned a bit about so called German or European board games at Computers in Libraries in April, but I also have a serious board gamer on staff. When I mentioned the idea of us getting some games for times when there’s an opportunity to engage people with content I could tell he was into it. In response he emailed me a list of potential games. I asked Adam if it was okay and I’m sharing the list here.
Games for all ages and skills:
- *Lost Cities: set collecting card game, 2 player, 30 minutes to play
- *Blokus: abstract strategy game, 1-4, best with 4 players, 20 minute game
- For Sale: auction card game, 3-6 players, 20 minute game
- Hey! That’s My Fish: abstract strategy, 2-4 player, best w/ three, 20 minutes
- Coloretto: set collection card game, 2-5, best w/ four players, 30 minutes
- Gulo Gulo: action/dexterity childrens game, 2-6, best w/ three players, 20 minutes
Older kids games (short):
- *Hive: abstract strategy, 2 player, 20 minutes
- Mr Jack: deduction game, 2 player, 30 minutes
- *Wings of War – Famous Aces: WW1 simulation card game, 2-4, best with four players, 30 minutes
Older kids games (longer, more involved):
- *Ticket to Ride: transportation hand management game, 2-5, best with 4 players, 45 minutes
- Pandemic: co-operative play environmental game, 2-4, best with 4 players, 45 minutes
- *Samurai: tile placement, area control game, 2-4, best with 2 players, 45 minutes
- Ingenious: abstract strategy, tile placement game, 1-4, best with 2 players, 45 minutes
- Through the Desert: abstract strategy, tile placement game, 2-5, best with 3 players, 45 minutes
He continues:
I tried to pick games that were easy to learn, short, and didn’t have a lot of pieces to lose. I’ve only played about half of these games and I starred those. You can lookup any of these games and get tons of info on them at boardgamegeek.com – That’s where I’m getting my info. As you can see I’m a board game geek. Maybe some of these suggestions will peak your own interest to play…I own “Samurai” and “Ticket to Ride” if you’re interested some time.
You bet I am. Maybe our at next staff meeting we’ll just play “Ticket to Ride!”
Bonus links
Just in case you haven’t seen them yet, these posts from Library Gamer discuss AASL standards and board games:
- AASL Standards Pt. I: Inquire, think critically and gain knowledge
- Board Games & AASL Standards Pt. II: Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge
- Board Games & AASL Standards Pt. III: Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society & Pursue personal and aesthetic growth
