91´«Ã½

Tens of thousands of people will be gaming together at their local libraries on Saturday, Nov. 13, to celebrate the 91´«Ã½'s third annual National Gaming Day @ your library.

The latest includes libraries from every state in the U.S., as well as in Argentina, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Pakistan and Puerto Rico. Organizers expect to easily break last year's record of more than 31,000 people playing games on the same day.

Libraries will offer a variety of activities throughout the day, including modern board games, traditional games (such as chess and checkers) and two national video game tournaments that will pit players at dozens of libraries against each other for bragging rights to the ultimate Rock Band and Super Smash Bros. Brawl crowns.

Through a generous donation from , 1,500 of the participating libraries are receiving a free copy of the game , specifically for play during National Gaming Day.

“National Gaming Day is a one-of-a-kind event that brings thousands and thousands of people together in play, which is why North Star Games is proud to participate for the second straight year,” said Dominic Crapuchettes, co-founder of North Star Games. “Board games represent one of many experiences where learning can also be entertaining.”

At a time when so many families are struggling and overwhelmed, libraries across the country are offering a chance for communities to come together around games. National Gaming Day focuses on the social and recreational role that board and video games offer to library users of all ages, in the same way libraries facilitate connections to books.

Lots of kids play games at home – alone, with siblings or with friends. At the library, kids socialize with their friends and play board and video games while surrounded by books, librarians and knowledge. Gaming at the library encourages patrons to interact with diverse peers, share their expertise with others (including adults) and develop new strategies for gaming and learning. Families can join others in making time to play together at their library while meeting new people and trying out new games in a safe and friendly atmosphere.

National Gaming Day @ your library is a national initiative supported by the and 2010 co-sponsors and .

For more information about National Gaming Day, visit .

Additional Information:

• View the NGD10 map of participating locations -
• Attend on Facebook!
• Learn about past National Gaming Day events -
• Get Your Game Face on - At the Library! Examples of library gaming programs -
• Track our event online using #ngd10 .

Related Activities around the Association:

The Nov. 11 issue of REaD ALERT will offer two articles written by gaming experts. Scott Nicholson, author of "Everyone Plays at the Library" (2010) and head of , has contributed "Board Game Starter Kit: Creating an Intergenerational Collection for under $200." J. P. Porcaro, founder of the popular blog and an 91´«Ã½ Emerging Leader, has authored "Video Game Starter Kit: Fostering Community Engagement from $500." Both pieces will offer cash-strapped librarians practical tips about how to purchase, promote and play games—with the widest possible patron appeal—at the library.

About National Gaming Day's Sponsors

Dominic Crapuchettes and Satish Pillalamarri founded in 2004. Their goal is to inspire creativity and laughter through games that engage and enrich the mind. They pride themselves on bringing innovation and fresh game ideas to the family and party game market.

, a family-owned business located in Madison, Wis., is the nation’s largest supplier of furniture, equipment and supplies to libraries. DEMCO is supporting 91´«Ã½'s National Gaming Day event by .