Leveling Up Your Library with Esports This Summer

Dec 16, 2024

A very special thank you to Tyler Hahn at Cherokee Public Library in Cherokee, Iowa for today's blog post! 

Want to transform your summer reading program by connecting with teens through their passions? Consider incorporating esports into your "Level Up at Your Library" activities! As highlighted by the Cherokee Public Library's successful program, esports can be an innovative way to engage teens while building valuable skills that extend far beyond gaming.

Esports involves competitive, team-based video gaming, but it's much more than just playing games. Through structured esports programs, teens develop crucial skills in teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. They learn to manage success and failure, work collaboratively toward shared goals, and build social-emotional skills that will serve them well in future academic and career pursuits.

Summer is the perfect time to launch an esports initiative at your library. You might start with an exhibition day where teens can explore different games and learn about competitive play. Consider organizing activities that help teens recognize the valuable skills they're developing - like creating gaming-inspired resumes that identify transferable skills from their favorite games. Local businesses can be excellent partners for technology workshops that connect gaming interests to real-world applications.

For libraries just getting started, remember that you don't need expensive equipment or elaborate setups. Begin by surveying your teens about their gaming interests and start small. Organizations like the Networks of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) offer excellent resources and support for libraries launching esports programs. The key is focusing on building community through shared interests while connecting gaming to broader learning opportunities.

Many libraries find that teens who might not typically participate in summer reading programs are drawn to esports activities. This engagement opens doors to connect these teens with other library resources and services. Some teens might be interested in creating content like gaming zines or developing team brands, while others might want to explore careers in game design, streaming, or esports management

The "Level Up" theme perfectly aligns with esports' emphasis on growth, achievement, and advancing to new challenges. Just as gamers progress through levels, gaining new skills and abilities, teens in your esports program will level up their real-world capabilities in communication, teamwork, and technology literacy.

By incorporating esports into your summer programming, you'll meet teens where they are while helping them level up their skills for the future. It's more than just gaming - it's about building a community where teens can explore their interests, develop new abilities, and prepare for what comes next. This summer, why not help your teens level up through the power of esports?

Are you ready to transform your summer reading program with esports? Let's power up and create something amazing for our teens!