Role playing games (RPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons are becoming increasingly popular both at home and in libraries. Librarians across the country are embracing RPGs and the skills that they teach during play. How can you get started? What do you need to get started? Do you have to play in person? Can you play online? Is it hard? We’ll be answering these basic questions and more as well as show you how The Learning Curve @ Central Library runs our virtual Dungeons and Dragons game utilizing Discord and Roll20.net. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have a bit of experience, you can run your own games!
Date Recorded: 2/25/2021
Format: Archived YouTube Video
Presenters: Kirsten Weaver, Teen Programming Specialist and Christopher Brozo, Activity Guide and Austin Senior, Activity Guide / Indianapolis Public Library
Resources:
Whether you’re new to TeachingBooks or it is your go-to database for book and author resources, we are constantly evolving and would love to share both staple and new tools with you. In this webinar, we will highlight top TeachingBooks features that teachers find useful for in-class instruction as well as guiding student-paced learning. Discover ready-to-use lessons and activities, engaging resources like book trailers and other contactless book previewing tools, and more.
When teens walk into the library, does your staff view them as a problem or an opportunity? Libraries are positioned to have a huge impact on teen lives with just a little intentionality. This session will introduce directors (and anyone else interested) to the developmental needs of teens and the ways in which libraries can support teens in their communities by utilizing Connected Learning—yes, even during the pandemic! We’ll discuss what this looks like in the library setting and how to encourage staff to look at teens and teen programs in a different way.
LGBTQIA+ literature is not just for Pride Month! Librarians from the Indianapolis Public Library will share their top LGBTQIA+ literature picks for youth. They will introduce titles across multiple genres and age groups that can be easily incorporated into every day displays and reader’s advisory. Books from every aspect of the rainbow for parents and youth ages 12 and younger to read together or on their own will be shared.
Tips and tricks for obtaining materials to fill up your library shelves without draining your library’s collection budget.
Lisa Jones, EBSCO Trainer, will present the databases that you can use to help students at your library when they come in for homework or research help. Learn about the new eBook collections available through INSPIRE.
In addition to the families that already homeschool in your community, others are considering this path to stay home and educate their children in response to COVID-19 as a health precaution or in anticipation of guidelines provided by local school districts. Libraries are able to support parents and caregivers with learning at home as they face challenges new to them.
GenCon is the largest tabletop-game convention in North America that occurs annually in Indianapolis, Indiana and is contracted to continue happening in Indiana at least through 2023. This webinar will be presented by someone who has attended the convention in a multitude of hats; as a spectator, as a game-player, as a librarian taking advantage of the opportunities of Trade Day and as an event presenter. The webinar will cover a variety of basic information for attending and participating in the convention, whether you consider yourself a gamer or just a curious librarian.