Nov 4, 2014 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – Eva K. Bowlby Public Library will be hosting its sixth annual Family Game Night from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 14 in celebration of International Games Day @ Your Library.

This event is designed for the entire family, so kids, parents, and grandparents can all plan on spending the evening together.

Sponsored by Bowlby’s Family Literacy and Children’s Departments, Family Game Night offers an enjoyable way for families in the community to spend time together while reinforcing key educational concepts that games often provide.

“National Gaming Day is an initiative of the American Library Association to connect communities around the educational, recreational, and social value of all types of games,” according to ilovelibraries.org. Aside from the obvious recreational benefits, many board and card games also require reading, math, logic and spatial reasoning skills.

Both public speaking skills and verbal acuity are strengthened as instructions are explained to new players.

The ALA also recognizes the many benefits derived from video gaming, as “kids are constantly developing new strategies, predicting possible outcomes, managing multiple resources, reading and deciphering maps, tracking complex statistics, and adapting to increasingly difficult levels within the game. They learn a range of media literacies beyond basic reading that give them models for navigating our information-rich world.”

The social aspect of gaming should not be overlooked either; learning to be a good sport and to work in intergenerational groups are important skills that can be learned from playing games with others.

For more information or to register, call Bowlby Public Library at 724-627-9776. There will be many card, board and video games provided, but families are also encouraged to bring some of their favorites to share as well. The seasonal favorite, Turkey Bowling, will also be offered, so be sure to come to Bowlby Library and “Get Your Game On!”

Teenagers up to18 are also invited to come to the library from 8 to 10 p.m. for an After-After Hours to participate in the library’s Hunger Games-themed event. Participants are encouraged to join the “District Rebels” or the “Capital Peacekeepers” and compete head-to-head in gaming fashion to pay tribute to the upcoming theatrical release of “Mockingjay.”

Teens can register for the event by calling the library at 724-627-9776.