Libraries Board Game Club begins: 'Play should be universal and available to all'
A new scheme is providing libraries in the UK with a 'board game club in a box'. We spoke to the programme's creators to find out how it can benefit communities and how gamers can get involved
Libraries: quiet places. A site of peace and contemplation, ruminating with humanity’s great wordsmiths and poets to explore the conundrum of life and its meaning.
That is, until the squad turns up, grabs Avocado Smash from the shelf and start loudly counting paper versions of oily fruit and slamming hands down on the table.
Yes, libraries across the UK will be homes to tabletop games, thanks to a nationwide scheme from Communication Agency Playtime PR.
It’s expanding its London-based Board Game Club, which provides social nights for adults, further into communities and providing libraries with a ‘board game club in a box’. This will allow improved access to tabletop games.
The non-commercial Libraries Board Game Club programme has drawn the backing of some of the industry’s biggest publishers. And with 100 libraries across the country set to receive a box, we spoke to Playtime PR Director of Strategy and Creative Ceriann Smith about what to expect when visiting a venue that’s taking part in the scheme.
Firstly, can you tell us a little about Playtime PR and its work?
CS: Playtime PR was founded 10 years ago with one mission: to make lives more playful by connecting consumers of every age with brands that help people learn to play, learn through play, and unleash the transformative power of play.
We’ve been very fortunate to have worked on some fantastic toy and games brands over this time – including Exploding Kittens, Tamagotchi, Bananagrams and Dobble to name just a small selection.
‘One of the things we’ve come to realise over this time – which has become even more stark over the past four years or so – is that there are increasing social and economic barriers that prevent many families, children and communities from accessing play’
What are the origins of the Board Game Club and what does this nationwide library campaign involve?
CS: Board Game Club was established in 2014 as a games night for grown-ups where board game lovers could come together in an informal, social environment and do what they love: play board games.
Based in London, these BGC nights aim to provide a broad games menu – from big brand names, all the way through to games from first-time inventors, so there’s always a really interesting mix of games for guests to play and discover.
The Libraries Board Game Club programme is an evolution of Board Game Club and, in line with Playtime’s motto of ‘making lives more playful’, it has been created to increase access to games for families and communities.
Playtime PR celebrates its 10th birthday this year and one of the things we’ve come to realise over this time – which has become even more stark over the past four years or so – is that there are increasing social and economic barriers that prevent many families, children and communities from accessing play. We feel that play should be universal and available to all, and that’s the driving force behind the Libraries Board Game Club project.
Participating libraries will get a ‘Board Game Club in a box’. What’s in the box?
CS: Each box will contain 11 board games – Buzz Words, Junior Colourbrain, Hedbanz, Quirk!, Avocado Smash!, Bananagrams, Brainbox Nature, Brainbox Science, Bezzerwizzer Original, Ruckus and Farkel – for libraries and their communities to enjoy.
It’s a really brilliant and varied mix of games from some fantastic games companies.
When does it go live?
CS: The first wave of the project goes live this month, which will see Board Game Club boxes being sent out to 100 public libraries across the country, just in time for the Easter holidays.
What is the importance of play, especially when it comes to families taking part in board gaming?
CS: The transformative power of play cannot be understated.
Not only does it increase social interaction and connection in a world where all of us spend a lot of time in front of a screen, but playing board games can also help children develop and improve skill sets that benefit them as they grow up.
Following instructions, strategic thinking and even learning how to be a good loser (and a dignified winner) are all qualities we can learn through playing board games and apply to everyday life.
Which companies have already signed up?
CS: We’ve had a fantastic response from the toy industry on this initiative. For wave one we have games from Asmodee, Big Potato, Gibsons, Imagination Games, Orchard Toys, Ridley’s Games and Spin Master.
What would you say to any others to encourage them to get involved?
CS: We’ve had an overwhelming reaction from public libraries to the first wave of this project, so if others are keen to get involved, then look out for the second wave, which we’ll be running in the Autumn.
How can members of the community get involved in the project or find out if their local library is participating?
CS: Some libraries already have established board game clubs up and running or have a board game collection available for their communities to access, so it’s definitely worth getting in touch with your local library to find out what they offer.
Find out how you can get involved in either joining an existing board game club, or perhaps discuss setting one up at your library.
If a library isn’t running a club through this initiative as part of the first wave, they can get in touch with us at Playtime for a chance to be involved in wave two.
If people wish to set up their own community board gaming club, what’s the best way to make a start?
CS: A first port of call would be to talk to your local library to find out if they already run a board game club and, if not, whether they would be interested in setting one up.
Also, do some research to find out what else might already be on offer in your area before you go about setting up your own club.
Exploring local online and social media noticeboards can provide useful information – and can also be a good way to ascertain levels of interest on setting up a board game club in your area (if there isn’t one already).
Look into whether you have any local board game cafés nearby, too – these are great places to meet like-minded board game fans.
For more information, visit playtimepr.com
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