OLYMPIA – The Washington State Library and Wisconsin State Library Agency are proud to announce extraordinary support from leaders in the game and gaming peripherals industries for their newly awarded IMLS National Leadership Grant, Empowering & Innovating Games-based Library Services. This groundbreaking initiative aims to integrate games into library services nationwide, fostering inclusion, innovation, and community engagement. This month, game companies GripMat, Lone Shark Hames, and Arcane Wonders have donated additional game materials in support of the gaming award program first announced in July 2024.
The project has received significant contributions from three game industry luminaries:
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GripMat donated 75 high-quality grip mats to support library game programs. Contact: Eric Salyers
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Lone Shark Games provided an array of games and books to enhance library collections. Contact: Mike Selinker
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Arcane Wonders donated board games to engage library patrons of all ages. Contact: Brett Buren
“Seeing a small company like GripMat jump at the chance to support libraries was inspiring,” said Mike Buschman, Library Development Manager at the Washington State Library. “When Eric Salyers reached out with an offer to donate 75 grip mats, it was a heartfelt gesture of support for gaming in libraries. Visiting their fabrication site near the Port of Seattle and witnessing their pride in being part of this effort was a reminder that even smaller businesses can play a huge role in fostering community innovation.”
These donations build on the recent successes of the Washington State Library’s efforts to integrate gaming into public library programming. Earlier this year, Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast generously donated 2,000 Dungeons & Dragons starter kits to libraries in Washington and Wisconsin, introducing thousands of patrons to the creative and social benefits of tabletop gaming.
“These donations highlight the power of collaboration between libraries and innovators in the gaming world,” said Sara Jones, Washington State Librarian “With the help of GripMat, Lone Shark Games, and Arcane Wonders, we’re bringing innovative, inclusive programming to libraries.”
The Empowering & Innovating Games-based Library Services project will culminate in the creation of a comprehensive digital toolkit. This resource will provide libraries across the nation with practical strategies to incorporate games into their programming, ensuring that libraries remain vibrant hubs of learning and connection.
Visit the official grant website at IMLS for more information about the project and its impact.
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Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office operates the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, and administers the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees and the Productivity Board state employee suggestion program. The Secretary of State also oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.