After working at a library with a well-developed and long running teen RPG (Dungeons & Dragons in this case) group it has come to me that Role-playing games (RPGs) are great for your library for several reasons:
Author: John Pappas
Library Branch Manager. Gaming advocate. Non-self Entity.
Board in the Stacks: Harvest
Harvest is a fantasy themed farming game for 2-4 players which plays in about 45 minutes. Players take the role of a character with unique abilities (or beginners can take a standard, dull old peon farmer) and need to get to work early to plant, nurture and harvest their crops. Additionally, you can construct buildings … Continue reading Board in the Stacks: Harvest
State of the Library! Collection Maintenance and Culling
Today I'm going to discuss the unpopular topic of collection maintenance. How, when, and why does my library remove board games from our collection. Space is always limited in a library. While I hope nontraditional collections in the library have an opportunity to grow and expand, I understand that eventually it'll butt up against available … Continue reading State of the Library! Collection Maintenance and Culling
Board in the Stacks: Sakura
You are the paparazzi of medieval Japan -- painters. Hiding behind bushing, sneaking around tree, jostling for position to get a quick sketch maybe even a watercolor study of someone famous. As you lay in wait behind the garden gates you hear the clink of an easel. The soft scrape of a gentle brushstroke. The … Continue reading Board in the Stacks: Sakura
Board in the Stacks: Decrypto
Introduction Decrypto is quick word game where teams attempt to relay information out loud to each other using coded clues without allowing the opposing team to “intercept” or figure out their message. Setup and Gameplay Each team has an upright dashboard with four red-screened windows numbered 1-4. In each window they tuck a card so … Continue reading Board in the Stacks: Decrypto
Board in the Stacks: Raiders of the North Sea
Raiders of the North Sea is an original take on worker-placement games. The snappy turns, variable pacing, solid eurogame roots, and delightful artwork, provides a very satisfying experience for a wide array of players. While not the best gateway game, new and seasoned players alike will love it.
Best Board Games of 2017
I fully expect that the flood of amazing games is going to slow down eventually. To abate somewhat. Maybe even decline. Yet, every year ends up being as amazing as the previous. Until I looked back, I thought 2017 was a fairly average year (it felt horribly below average, at least, for several reasons) however, … Continue reading Best Board Games of 2017
Board in the Stacks: Photosynthesis
In Photosynthesis, you are a species of tree engaged in an ages-long struggle for precious sunlight. Sap has not been shed in generations and you hope to see your wind-blown progeny emerge innocent from seed and grow to haggard adulthood. Until, that is, they are harvested for points on the whim of an uncaring and … Continue reading Board in the Stacks: Photosynthesis
Board in the Stacks: Mountains of Madness
IELLO is diving into the realm of Cthulhu with Mountains of Madness; a quirky, cooperative party game from designer Rob Daviau. The game draws inspiration from the H.P. Lovecraft novel, At the Mountains of Madness, focusing on the events of an ill-fated Miskatonic University expedition to Antarctica as adventurers are driven slowly mad by exposure … Continue reading Board in the Stacks: Mountains of Madness
Board in the Stacks: Magic Maze
Four adventures are stuck in a mall without any supplies. They’re your stock standard dwarf, elf, barbarian and mage who need to dash and grab some supplies and get out as quickly as possible. This isn’t new to this group of explorers. It’s practically the same as delving into a dungeon and escaping the dragon, RIGHT? Just get to your preferred loot and get out again!
Board in the Library 