The Escapist - Terra Libris, the RPG library project

Terra Libris

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The purpose of this project is to promote and raise awareness of library projects that incorporate role-playing games. The project aims to provide resources, ideas, and networking for librarians and volunteers who would like to host role-playing programs at their library.

Wizards of the Coast, publishers of the Dungeons & Dragons RPG, has a program called Afternoon Adventures with Dungeons & Dragons. This project would build upon that idea, providing options to run other RPGs (for those who prefer them over D&D, or for situations where the D&D name may attract a negative response), and providing further support for anyone involved in such a program (including the D&D program).

A wiki section in the Escapist Wiki. (If you would like to participate in developing the wiki, please contact me -

- to set up an editor account.)

At present, the project really needs ideas and inspiration from everyone, and networking with library workers and volunteers who have experience with such a program, or who are interested in getting that experience. If you would like to help out, please contact Bill Walton at

Dungeons & Dragons for ages 6 and up - To help promote their upcoming novel Monster Slayers, Wizards of the Coast has put together Monster Slayers: The Heroes of Hesiod, a stripped-down version of Dungeons & Dragons that's fast, fun, and playable by adventurers as young as six. Best of all, it's completely free!

The game itself is a very simple version of the D&D combat rules (so simple that they could have come from any previous edition), and the adventure that's included doesn't involve a lot of actual role-playing, but any good Dungeon Master will be able to draw that out of the players with a little effort. To play, you'll need a copy of the PDF, pencil and paper, a d20 and d6 (or three d6s if you don't have any d20s lying around), and some adventurous friends.

The page for the site also briefly mentions the benefits to young people from playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, and even suggests that this may be a good "starter package" to introduce RPGs in a library program. Read more and download the PDF here: www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4dnd/monsterslayers

(Thanks to JJ Lanza for the link.)

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Literacy and Outreach Services is seeking applications from public, school and academic libraries interested in developing and implementing innovative literacy gaming services for youth ages 10-18.

This program is part of ALA’s Libraries, Literacy and Gaming initiative funded by Verizon.

Ten $5,000.00 grants will be awarded to libraries clearly demonstrating creativity, capacity, sustainability and a strong commitment to literacy-related gaming services. In addition, the winning libraries will receive ongoing support and technical assistance from a team of nationally recognized library gaming experts. Winners will be announced during National Library Week, April 12-18. The grant application is available online at http://librarygamingtoolkit.org/rfp . All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm, Friday, March 20.

“There is no doubt that gaming and literacy go hand-in-hand. Board and video games come with text of all kinds including instructions, menus and much more. Learning the language and mechanics of any game, from chess to Little Big Planet, involves acquiring a new vocabulary and a new set of 21st century literacy skills,” said Dale Lipschultz, Literacy Officer, Office for Literacy and Outreach Services.

Gaming is one example of how libraries continue to change to meet the needs of their communities and users, offering innovative programs and services that educate, entertain and expand interaction with their patrons.

On Nov. 15, hundreds of libraries across the country celebrated the ALA’s first annual National Gaming Day @ your library. Libraries of all types joined in the celebration by registering for two national gaming activities: a national video game tournament and board game challenge.

For additional information about the grant contact: Dale Lipschultz, Literacy Officer, Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, by phone, (312) 280-3275, or e-mail, dlipschultz@ala.org.

"A CASE FOR TABLETOP RPGS" IN THE LIBRARY - The School Library Journal just published an article by Cason Snow titled "Tabletop Fantasy RPGs - Tips for introducing role-playing games in your library" that excellently points out the benefits of that effort:

Genesee Valley BOCES Library System has produced a landmark document (sls.gvboces.org/gaming/standards) that relates board gaming to the American Association of School Librarians Standards for the 21st-Century Learner (ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslproftools/learningstandards/standards.cfm). While these standards were established for board games, the document should be used as a model for making a case for tabletop RPGs. Each of the four standards can be directly addressed by playing RPGs. Players think critically and analyze information, make informed decisions and apply knowledge to new situations when interacting with the game’s setting and cultures, share knowledge and weigh moral consequences of their actions, and participate in creating stories that last beyond the end of the session. By addressing these standards and demonstrating the direct link between gaming and learning, RPGs can gain support from administrators and teachers.

The article also includes some basic tips on where to find RPG materials, and how to find assistance and ideas online. You can read it here, and it will be added to the list of Terra Libris resources.

11/15/08 IS NATIONAL GAME DAY @ YOUR LIBRARY - This Saturday, libraries all over the United States will be participating in National Gaming Day, an effort to raise awareness about the use of games in library programs, expose people to new kinds of games, and enable networking between game clubs and libraries.

The focus seems to be primarily on video and board games, but Wizards of the Coast has donated copies of Dungeons & Dragons to help promote the event. This would be an excellent time to contact your local library about organizing a roleplaying program - it may be too late to prepare one in time for Saturday, but most libraries would love to have volunteers the rest of the year.

A listing of role-playing events at libraries. Are you hosting one, or know of one, and you'd like to see it listed here? Contact me and let me know -

Older listings are retained for some time after the event has passed, to give readers the opportunity to contact the library about future events.

NOTE: The libraries and groups on this list are in no way affiliated with The Escapist.

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