Libraries Got Game: Aligned Learning Through Modern Board Games

Published in 2010 by the American Library Association, this volume emerged from the growing interest in integrating tabletop gaming into educational and library environments. Brian Mayer, a librarian and game-based learning expert, designed the book as a practical guide for professionals looking to use modern board games as tools for literacy, critical thinking, and social development. The work reflects the broader shift in library science toward participatory programming and the recognition of games as legitimate components of a modern information center.

The book is structured to align gameplay with specific learning standards, providing librarians with the vocabulary and strategy necessary to justify gaming collections to stakeholders. By moving beyond traditional game concepts, Mayer advocates for the pedagogical utility of complex, modern designs. It was received by the library community as a seminal resource for professional development, credited with helping to formalize the role of gaming in libraries and normalizing the inclusion of titles beyond classic parlor games.