Presentation Type
Virtual Poster
Abstract
Embracing diverse voices is part of the vision of the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Libraries, which also includes a value statement to “embrace diversity by creating a welcoming environment and providing resources representative of the diverse university populations.” The library's strategic values also include collaboration, engagement, and outreach. The library created International Games Month (IGM) programming in 2023 in support of the library’s strategic goals and invited collaboration with the university’s International Student and Scholar Services as well as individual student organizations. The library hosted events where international students coached attendees through games from their home countries. Student representatives also provided some history of each game or shared personal stories illustrating what the game meant to them. This year USM’s Cook Library received an ALA Game On! grant that we will use to expand IGM outreach and community engagement. This poster will present past and future plans for IGM programming with tips to help other libraries implement something similar.
Playing Across Cultures: Building Community Through International Games Month at Southern Miss Libraries
Embracing diverse voices is part of the vision of the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Libraries, which also includes a value statement to “embrace diversity by creating a welcoming environment and providing resources representative of the diverse university populations.” The library's strategic values also include collaboration, engagement, and outreach. The library created International Games Month (IGM) programming in 2023 in support of the library’s strategic goals and invited collaboration with the university’s International Student and Scholar Services as well as individual student organizations. The library hosted events where international students coached attendees through games from their home countries. Student representatives also provided some history of each game or shared personal stories illustrating what the game meant to them. This year USM’s Cook Library received an ALA Game On! grant that we will use to expand IGM outreach and community engagement. This poster will present past and future plans for IGM programming with tips to help other libraries implement something similar.