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Feedback Friday: Are games needed at the library?

A professor recently asked the library to place her chess set on reserve so that she and her students could use it while in the library. After processing her request, we pondered the need for more board games at the library. We’ve decided to ask you, our patrons. Taking a break from studying or computing to play a board game may help the brain function better and can relieve stress. Studies have been conducted. Articles have been written.

What do you think? Tell us in the Comments!


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14 Comments »

  1. Comment by Anonymous — November 20, 2009 @ 10:01 AM

    I think this is a great idea.

    Back home, myself and a bunch of friends play board games on a regular basis. In recent years, there have been so many new and exciting games that go way beyond the classics like Monopoly, Life, Clue, etc. Some of them use pretty intense concepts of trade (such as Cuba, Settlers of Cattan) and logic (Dominion, Cosmic Encounters) and most of them are extremely fun!

    I would love to see more board games available at the library.

  2. Comment by Matt — November 20, 2009 @ 10:30 AM

    I definitely like this idea, but I wonder how many people would actually make use of it.

  3. Comment by Laura H. — November 20, 2009 @ 12:02 PM

    It would be nice to have a dedicated space for this so game playing could happen spontaneously. It would be nice just to leave the games set up for people to play, as long as the pieces don’t go missing.

  4. Comment by Entara — November 20, 2009 @ 1:28 PM

    I noticed the Math Lab has a lounge with a dry erase board so that students can think out loud and use the board to work out problems. I wonder if the library could use something like that.

  5. Comment by Jordan — November 20, 2009 @ 1:40 PM

    Wow, I love this idea. I would definitely use the board games.

  6. Comment by Maria — November 20, 2009 @ 2:27 PM

    This is a great idea. I want to keep games in my room, but I have no space available. I feel like a lot of students would use them.

  7. Comment by Jen C. — November 20, 2009 @ 2:30 PM

    I think it’s a great idea. Many students hang out in the library when they’re bored and everyone needs a break from studying, plus board games are great for keeping your brain exercised while having fun. I agree that pieces might go missing, but the library could easily buy replacement pieces on ebay as a back up.

  8. Comment by Heather — November 20, 2009 @ 8:51 PM

    I second Settlers of Catan, though I would add recommendations for games with less complex rules and shorter time commitments, such as Abalone or Mastermind.

    I do worry about parts walking off. It’s easy to lose board game pieces, as everyone knows!

  9. Comment by Mike — November 23, 2009 @ 11:18 AM

    Yes. I waste enough time there as it is, so at least now I can be constructive with my procrastination and develop my mind and personal relationships while not doing homework. I definitely support this decision (and Claire agrees).

  10. Comment by Kathryn Szumanski — November 24, 2009 @ 9:02 AM

    Love this blog and all of Falvey’s blog posts! Thank you for encouraging thought-provoking conversations! The right board game can develop analytical and concentration skills. Certain games require patience, team work, strategy, etc. I don’t think we should overthink this, either. Yes, provide board games, and just our students to not lose game board pieces, etc. Could game candidates: Chess and Blokus. Thanks again for your tremendous efforts! Falvey rules! Falvey is a campus intellectual and cultural leader. Falvey has become our campus’s center for leading a rich intellectual, meaningful life.

  11. Comment by Ale — November 24, 2009 @ 1:17 PM

    yay!!!! i ike the board games idea! “taboo” is always fun… also checkers

  12. Comment by Jess — November 24, 2009 @ 1:38 PM

    This is a great idea! I personally have a chess set in my room and would love to be able to play in the library. I have been playing chess for 10 years and can testify to its many benefits.

  13. Comment by Kat — November 24, 2009 @ 6:30 PM

    Awesome idea!! We all need study breaks from doing homework, so bringing in board games to play would be a great plan!

  14. Comment by Kait — November 30, 2009 @ 2:12 PM

    While I think this is a good idea, I don’t think it would be a good thing to put in motion. While I myself enjoy playing a good board game with friends, I don’t think that it is worth the investment (even if it may be a small one). I think that most students who find it to be a waste of money to buy board games are the students who unfortunately do not post comments on the library blog, however I decided to take a few moments to do so (as I never have before).

    I just don’t think the games would be put to good use. And if there are a significant amount of people who think they would, well why not go buy the board game yourself and donate it, or keep it in your room to play with friends where pieces won’t get lost/stolen, and the atmosphere of the library will not be confused with that of a student union of sorts(which we already have, the connelly center).

    Not a bad idea, but not a useful investment in my opinion.

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Last Modified: November 20, 2009

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