Game On: Fort Bend County Libraries Embrace Play for Learning and Fun
Libraries are commonly known to be a place full of books and research. In today’s world, “learning” can come in many forms – one of which is through play!
Playing games can sharpen problem-solving skills, exercise memory muscles, and increase focus, perception, and reasoning. They can also help to improve moods, promote relaxation, and ward off anxiety.
Games can bring people together and encourage social interaction. They can provide a reason for families and friends to disengage from technology and everyday stress, while making memories of quality time spent together.
Fort Bend County Libraries recognizes the educational, social, and mental-health benefits of play for all ages and offers a variety of opportunities for individuals to come together to play.
George Memorial Library in Richmond has a designated Game Room in the Middle Grades department on the second floor. Families and caregivers with children of all ages are encouraged to use the space, which provides a variety of family games and jigsaw puzzles, for come-and-go family play on Mondays (10:00 am-8:00 pm) and Tuesdays-Saturdays (10:00 am-4:00 pm).
The University Branch Library in Sugar Land offers a Tabletop Society gathering for teens and adults on the 4th Thursday of the month. Each month, a different board game is introduced, enabling game-loving individuals to try out new games before making a purchase. On Thursday, July 25 (3:30-5:00 pm), the featured game will be “Jaws,” which involves hunting down a killer shark terrorizing Amity Island and battling it out on the Orca.
The University Branch has also launched a new, bi-monthly “Puzzlers’ Paradise” gathering, which will meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday (July 2 and 16), from 10:30 to 11:30 am. This social hour encourages puzzle-loving adults to come together and complete jigsaw puzzles as a group.
The University Branch will have a Puzzle Swap at their Puzzle Fest on Saturday,August 3, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Donations for the Puzzle Swap will be accepted July 15-August 2, at the 2nd-floor Reference desk. Those donating gently used puzzles, consisting of 250 pieces or more, will receive a voucher noting the number of puzzles donated, then they can use the voucher at the Puzzle Fest to select the same number of puzzles to take home.
In July, the Sugar Land Branch Library on Eldridge invites teens to meet new friends at the Board-Game Club, which meets monthly on the 1st and 3rd Monday (July 1 and 15), from 4:00-5:00 pm. The Sugar Land Branch will also host a Mario Kart Tournament on Saturday,July 6, from 2:00-4:00 pm, when teens will test their skills and compete for a trophy.
The Sienna Branch Library in Missouri City invites old-school gamers to take a walk down memory lane with their “Retro Video-Game Summer at Sienna” series, which will take place on Mondays, July 22 and 29, and August 26, from 6:00-8:00 pm. In this summer-long series, play old-school games on modern replicas and see some of the original hardware! The featured games will include: July 22 - "Commodore 64, VIC-20, and Amiga 500 (A500);" July 29 - "Atari 2600 and Atari 400;" and August 26 - "Retro Pi."
The Sienna Branch hosts a bi-monthly Board-Game Night for on the first and third Mondays (July 1 and 15), from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. All ages are welcome, but anyone under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. During this come-and-go activity period, play a variety of board games with others who enjoy similar games.
The Sienna Branch also hosts a monthly Video-Game Night specifically for teens who enjoy playing video games on Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. This monthly gathering takes place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays (July 2 and 16), from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
When the branch manager of the neighborhood library also happens to be a Dungeon Master, it is only natural to take advantage and offer teens a Dungeons & Dragons 5e summer adventure! The Mamie George Branch Library in Stafford hosts a monthly gathering for teen gamers of all experience levels – from beginners to veterans – who want to stretch their imaginations and practice their problem-solving skills while meeting and socializing with others who enjoy this popular tabletop fantasy, role-playing game. Dice, rule books, and characters will be provided. The next meetings are on Mondays, July 8 and 22, beginning at 2:00 pm. Seating is limited, so registration is required.
The Cinco Ranch Branch Library in Katy offers a monthly Chess Day on the 1stSaturday (July 6), from 11:00 am-3:00 pm. People of all ages and skill levels – from beginners to advanced – who are interested in playing chess, are invited to practice their strategies while playing against others in a relaxed, stress-free environment. Learn a new chess move (or two) during this come-and-go activity. A limited number of chess sets will be provided, but players are welcome to bring their own sets as well.
Families enjoying Family Fun Night with Fort Bend County Libraries. (Source: FBCL)Families with children of all ages are invited to a Family Fun Night at the Cinco Ranch Branch on Mondays, July 8 and 22, from 6:00-7:00 pm. Enjoy a variety of games, building challenges, and more!
The Cinco Ranch Branch Library in Katy will host a special “D&D Character Creation” workshop on Monday, July 22, from 6:00-7:00 pm, for teens and adults. Create a character and character sheet for the popular role-playing game, “Dungeons & Dragons.” Participants will invent a character backstory and roll for character stats. Registration required.
The new Fulshear Branch Library invites teens to try out some new games or just get together with others to play some familiar games at their Teen Game Night on Monday, July 8, from 4:00-6:00 pm! Board games such as Catan, Life, and Monopoly will be on hand, as well as popular card games like Uno, Spot It, and Spades, and more!
Materials for these activities are made possible by the Friends of the Library organizations that support these libraries.
These programs are free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website at www.fortbend.lib.tx.us or call the library system’s Communications office at 281-633-4734.
Source: FBCL
