Events

Hello, everyone,  

We are excited to announce a call seeking proposals for a Gaming in Libraries issue of Library Trends!  

No longer a niche recreational activity, gaming has evolved into a mainstream cultural activity that intersects with literacy, digital citizenship, STEM learning, and community building. As libraries continue to redefine their roles as community hubs and centers for informal learning, many have embraced gaming through circulating collections, programming events, and dedicated gaming spaces. From tabletop role-playing games to esports tournaments, from vintage console collections to virtual reality experiences, libraries are leveraging games to engage diverse populations, build 21st-century skills, and create inclusive social spaces.  

This issue of Library Trends seeks to examine the current state and future directions of gaming initiatives in libraries of all types. We welcome articles and case studies that explore how libraries are building, managing, and assessing game collections and gaming programs, as well as the impact of these initiatives on library users and communities.  

We invite proposals for original articles (4,000-8,000 words) that address gaming in library contexts. Full details are available with the proposal form: https://forms.gle/ZWfQp3EbPTRvGAVD7. Proposals are due September 21, 2026.  

If you have questions about article topic ideas during the submission period, please email Grace Murdock at gkmurdock@noctrl.edu. Grace, a student library intern, will anonymize your inquiry for us and send you our response. For non-topic questions, please contact the editors: Carl DiNardo, carldinardo@usf.edu, and Rebecca Strang, rdstrang@noctrl.edu.  

Your quest awaits!  

Sincerely, Carl DiNardo, Research & Instruction Librarian at the University of South Florida Rebecca Strang, Outreach & Engagement Librarian at North Central College (IL)   

Library Trends journal info: https://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/library-trends 

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