Events - April 21 2022

Meeting of the Dutchess County Directors Association.

Video games may not be the first thing you think of when you hear the word “library,” but when you look closely, an esports team has all the hallmarks of a perfect library program: it builds community and contributes to positive outcomes for teen library patrons, including leadership and entrepreneurial and media literacy skills. There’s also social-emotional learning involved; teamwork and sportsmanship are key to esports league play. Basing an esports team in a public library is also a way to make gaming more accessible and equitable for teens. Running an esports team might seem daunting for library staff that don’t play video games, but you don’t need to be a gamer to run a successful program. Library staff already possess the skill set needed to get an esports team up and running. This session will show you how!

This event will include presentations from Lindsay Cesari, School Librarian and Esports Coach, Baldwinsville Central Schools and Amy Smith, Head of Programs & Youth Services, Red Hook Public Library. There will also be time for questions and answers at this session.