Cards supplied for children through library donation
In an effort to bring more youths into the library, the Slippery Rock Community Library has started several gaming programs to run regularly for children and teens to enjoy.
Paige Reimers, teen and youth services librarian, said the library recently got a donation of Magic: The Gathering cards and materials so she could create decks for participants who don't have their own. The group, which meets at 6 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month, already has garnered some interest.
“Before, I would bring in some extra decks for people who didn't have any,” Reimers said. “One (child) said it sounded interesting. He downloaded the app ahead of time and then bought a deck for it.”
The donation of supplies came from MagiKids, a nonprofit charity that supplies gaming materials to organizations aimed at helping children.
Magic: the Gathering is a collectible card game in which two players use cards in their decks against one another in a battle simulation featuring fantasy creatures and spells.
Reimers said that while not many young children are familiar with the card game, the supplied decks and the library staff can help them get the hang of it.
“When I did it the first time, none of the kids really had experience,” Reimers said. “We'll help them out with learning it.”
In addition to the Magic: The Gathering group, Reimers said the Slippery Rock library also has formed a Dungeons and Dragons group. That group is filled to capacity, but Reimers is considering starting a second session.
Reimers said she hopes the new gaming offerings at the library attract more people to come through its doors.
“The big thing is not just the card game, but we're trying to get kids and teens in the library,” Reimers said. “We're hoping to get more kids in, and if this expands, we’ll hopefully get more in.”
For information on the library and its programming, visit its website at slipperyrocklibrary.org.
