K-State Libraries hosts International Games Day symposium, day of gaming
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University Libraries will join more than 1,000 libraries throughout the world on Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15, in observing the seventh annual International Games Day, a celebration of gaming in libraries.
The festivities begin with a gaming symposium from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 14 in 401 Hale Library. Speakers will discuss the impact of gaming culture on education; the many kinds of gaming communities that exist on campus and beyond; and how games enrich the college experience. Presenters include Nathan Bean, K-12 program coordinator and instructor, computer and information sciences department; Khianna Harris, senior in anthropology and psychology; Joelle Pitts, instructional design librarian; and Ben Ward, instructional designer, Information Technology Assistance Center, all from Kansas State University.
In addition, several students will weigh in about their experiences playing an alternate reality game associated with the K-State Book Network's 2014 common read, "The Ghost Map" by Steven Johnson.
On Saturday, Nov. 15, members of the university community and the public are invited to get hands-on with games of all stripes. Activities are come-and-go from 1-5 p.m. in Hale Library's Hemisphere Room. Attendees will enjoy snacks and prizes for playing video games from "Journey" to "Lego Star Wars"; board games from Chutes and Ladders to Settlers of Catan; plus a variety of card games. All ages are welcome, and there is no cost to attend.
"Games in education, including higher education, have gained attention in recent years as an important teaching practice," said Daniel Ireton, undergraduate and community services librarian. "Games are changing the way we think and learn, and exploring and understanding games has become more important than ever."
The day's events are co-sponsored by Game Hounds, the computing and Information sciences department, Information Technology Assistance Center, K-State Libraries and Manhattan Public Library. Participants are invited to tweet about their experiences and follow the hashtag #igd14.
International Games Day is an initiative supported by the American Library Association.
