GAME DAY

March 28, 2007

On 2 Fridays out of the month, the NYPL sponsors Game Day in the Children’s Room at 4:00 PM. The patrons are invited to play good old fashioned board games. Checkers, Chess, and Connect Four. On this past Friday, the children’s Librarian was scheduled off for the day. So I spent most of the day in the Children’s Room, and facilitated the Game Day Activities.

There were about 10 children, o brought out the games and invited everyone to play. I walked around to ea patron and invited them to play. No takers. One patron, said, “I am playing a game, on the computer.” OK.

I thought to myself, maybe these games are boring. How can Chess and Checkers compete with Sony Playstation and Ninetendo WII, or Nick.com games. I searched the stock room for something a little more exciting, Junior Scrabble. Still no takers.

About 10 minutes later, Vanessa came over and said she would like to play Connect Four, and would I play with her. I said “sure.” We played for a few minutes and of course I won the first 3 matches, I then let her win the next few rounds. We played for about 10 minutes, until it was time for her and her brother to leave.

I think Danielle, (a regular who never brings her library card, and always wants to use the computer) noticed how much fun Vanessa was having so she came over and asked me to play Junior Scrabble with her.

Junior Scrabble is very similar to Adult Scrabble, minus the score card. Shortly after 3 other patrons came over, Juanita (a regular) locked her computer and decided to join us too, and we had a real scrabble game. Some of them did not know how to play, so I explained the rules quickly and because it was the first time, I allowed them to make 2 letter words, and to just add the letter s onto words already on the board.

I suggested the 4 patrons challenge themselves and make “four” letters words, and we could keep score by getting a star for each word. Two more patrons came over and asked could they join in.

I had to remind myself that I was playing with children and to keep my words simple. I excited now because I can make a six letter word. I placed the word “candid.” What’s that, asked Sandra. I told her it means open and honest. I did not take a star as I was the facilitator, right?

When I looked at the clock it was 5:35 (closes at 6) and some of the patrons were leaving. I invited everyone back for the next Game Day, on the 11th of April and I was thinking of a seven letter word.



Currently reading: Short Stories by one of my favorite authors Zora Neale Hurston.