Did you know the Kathryn A. Martin Library has a board game collection? Thanks to the generosity of the Student Services Fee Committee, the Library has assembled a collection of circulating board games for our community to check out and use. It is safe to say that it is a given that a library is full of books, but why are so many libraries adding games to their collections? The obvious reason is that games are fun and they can be great tool for team-building. Here are some other reasons they are a great addition to the Martin Library:
Games provide a positive outlet away from the digital world.
According to a Nielsen Company audience report “ the average person in the United States spends approximately 10 hours and 39 minutes each day. This average of 10 hours and 39 minutes includes our daily use of smartphones, computers, video games, radios, tablets and TVs. Much like books, board games get people to step away from their digital devices and engage their brains in different ways.
Games engage the brain!
Many games require players to be innovative, creative, and critical thinkers. According to an article by Dr. Barry Kudrowitz at the University of Minnesota, game “play allows us to escape reality for a short time. It is a safe bubble in which we pretend, imagine, and create. It allows us to say and do things that we don’t typically say and do.”
Games foster relationships.
The wonderful thing about board games is that people can come together across generations to play together. Unless you’re playing Solitaire, you’ll need to gather a group of friends or family to play. They are a great way to kick back and simply interact with other human beings.
The Martin Library game collection ranges from classic favorites like Chess, Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble to new hits like Settlers of Catan, Sushi Go, Bananagrams, and Pandemic. Below is a link to the games collection. Games can be requested through the Get It Service; GetIt items will be await pick-up at the Library Circulation Desk on the 1st Floor. The library plans to add more games in the near future.
The Library, along with UMD Housing, Kirby Student Center and Kirby Program Board, is planning a Game Night for Friday March 22 from 6-9 p.m. Be sure to watch the events list on our main page for details!
You can view all of our games here.