Libraries are usually quiet, peaceful places made for reading and relaxation. At certain times, though, laughter and friendly banter fill the air as patrons gather to play games.
That will be the case Saturday, when families and gamers gather at Twin Cities libraries, including several Hennepin County branches, to play a few rounds with friends and neighbors as part of National Gaming Day.
Now in its fourth year, National Gaming Day started as an attempt by the American Library Association to harness new social aspects of gaming in a family-friendly context.
"The new video games that were coming out were a lot more social and had room for a lot of interaction," said Jenny Levine, a strategy guide for the ALA.
Video games such as "Rock Band" and "Super Smash Bros." and systems such as the Nintendo Wii, which emphasize teamwork and friendly competition, provided some of the impetus for creating the nationwide event, she said.
Levine is quick to point out that it's not all digital, though. Fans of board games, including current favorites such as Apples to Apples and Loaded Questions, will find plenty to do at the event, too, she said.
"Gaming in libraries goes back to the 1880s, when there were chess clubs forming in libraries," she said.
The popular perception that video games are violent or counterproductive to learning doesn't apply at libraries, she said.