Special Feature - Libraries Board Game Club

Quiet please! It’s time for Libraries Board Game Club

Playtime PR’s Libraries Board Game Club is ever-evolving, with wave three bringing even more games and offerings to public libraries across the country. Toy World spoke with Playtime’s Ceriann Smith, director of Strategy and Creative, and Selina Dangerfield, PR consultant, to find out more about the initiative and what’s on the cards with this new wave.

Where did the idea for Libraries Board Game Club come from – and has it evolved the way you hoped it would?

CS: We always have our eyes open to how we can make lives more playful – it’s part of our DNA as a team. A couple of years ago, our Playtime colleague, Chrissie, mentioned to me that her local library was running its own board game club, and we chatted about sending them some games to add to their collection. Given our heritage in the board game space and my contacts with libraries, that quickly snowballed into a nationwide plan. The economic backdrop of the time was particularly dire, so improving access to play through local library settings seemed like the right thing to do.

Fast forward to today, Libraries Board Game Club is the evolution of our Board Game Club nights that we’ve been running successfully for over 10 years. The Libraries initiative has increased access to games for families and local communities across the country. Thanks to the support of the board game community, to date, we have delivered 2500 games into 200 public libraries – giving more than a million people chance to play the games as a direct result of the initiative

You’re just about to start rolling out wave three. What have waves one and two taught you about the initiative, and how will wave three expand and improve upon it?

SD: One thing we’ve heard loud and clear from the first two waves is how much of a difference the games have made to the libraries involved. Whether it’s using the games to set up new board game clubs/sessions, adding to their existing board game offerings or even starting a new board game collection for their users, the reaction has been massively positive. Wave three will continue to build on this by providing a box of games to a further 100 different public libraries just before Easter.

Which suppliers have become the biggest supporters of LBGC? Are there different ways for companies to get involved?

SD: Big Potato, Imagination Games, Orchard Toys and Asmodee have been the biggest supporters of the initiative so far. Getting involved is open to everyone and companies can supply more than one title per box if they wish. We just need 100 samples per title, plus a small fee which helps us cover the logistics of running the initiative.

How does supporting the initiative benefit suppliers?

CS: Ultimately, it’s a great grass roots sampling exercise; it’s a brilliant way of getting people playing games ‘in the wild’, whilst opening access to games to even wider communities of people. Although the initiative isn’t about pushing sales and is solely focused on increasing access to play, if a parent or carer can see their child/ren enjoying a certain game at their local library, it isn’t a big leap to say that they’ll be more confident buying it further down the line, either for their own family or as a gift for someone else.

How does Playtime support box recipients to ensure they can make best use of the scheme?

SD: We regularly liaise with the libraries taking part regarding logistics and delivery, and continue to stay in touch with the libraries. They often share stories of how the games have been used in their community, along with any images or events they have planned on social media. From this feedback, we know that tens of new board game clubs have been established in libraries across the country because of the initiative.

Have you had much feedback from the libraries about which sorts of games are proving most popular?

SD: All the feedback from the libraries has been overwhelmingly positive, but the most striking feedback we’ve had is how much they like the broad mix of games in the box. They particularly like the fact that it’s not just well-known games – giving their users the chance to try something different and new. This reinforces the earlier point about it being a great sampling exercise for games companies.

Do you think you will broaden the reach of BGC: for example, providing boxes to hospitals, care homes or social clubs?

CS: We’re always thinking about ways to bring games to different audiences, and we have plenty of plans in the pipeline – so watch this space.

What kind of difference to do you think LBGC has made in the community?

SD: Before the initiative, a quarter of participating libraries didn’t have even a board game collection, and since then there have been 60 new board game clubs established which really demonstrates the positive impact the project has had. We have distributed 2500 games into 200 public libraries in the past year – meaning more than a million people were able to play games as a direct result of Libraries Board Game Club. Libraries are so much more than just places where books are kept; they’re community hubs where people come together to meet, socialise and join clubs, so by distributing games boxes, we’re helping to increase what libraries can offer to their local communities.

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 which 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.

What’s next for LBGC after wave three is completed?

CS: Once wave three is complete, we’ll be pushing ahead for wave four, which will roll out in the autumn ahead of October half term. We’ve got some companies signed up to this already, so we’re excited to see what we’ll have to offer libraries this year.

Companies who are interested in getting involved in wave four of the initiative can contact libraries@playtimepr.com.