CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: The National Games & Libraries Fellowship!
Are you passionate about games-based programs and collections in public libraries? Are you a motivated Wisconsin library staff member with experience offering games-based library services? If so, you can help us shape the future of Games-based Library Services nationwide!
The National Games & Libraries Project (a collaboration between Wisconsin State Library agency and the Washington State Library, funded by an Institute for Museum & Library Services National Leadership Grant for Libraries) is seeking 5-6 enthusiastic Wisconsin public library staff members to participate in a yearlong “Fellowship.” Selected fellows from both Wisconsin and Washington State will help develop recommendations and best practices related to implementing games-based collections and programs in public libraries. The Fellowship is being coordinated in collaboration with Field Day Learning Games.
As a Fellow, you’ll share your experience working with different types of multiformat games (e.g. video games, board games, TTRPGs, collectible/competitive card games, etc.), strengthen games-based programs and collections in your own library, and collaborate with other fellows to identify innovative Games-based Library Service (GBLS) strategies that will enhance services in other libraries throughout America via the development of a comprehensive digital “toolkit” to be synthesized at project end.
This is a terrific opportunity for interested applicants to strengthen their role and voice as a library leader -- and collaborate with other ambitious and passionate librarians!
Fellowship Activities & Obligations:
- Participate in a one-day, in-person project “kickoff” workshop* at UW-Madison (July 8, 2026 9:00 AM -3:30 PM). If needed, the project will also be able to reimburse you for any hotel costs.
- Commit to planning, implementing, and reporting on one or more games-based programs, collections, and/or initiatives in your library (Summer-Winter 2026). There will likely be some funding to help implement/enhance games-based collections & programs for selected participants.
- Participate in three virtual follow-up meetups (Fall ‘26- Spring ’27, Times/Dates TBD).
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Provide feedback (via surveys, interviews, and follow-up online meetings) in the design of a games-based library services “toolkit” (and other resources aimed at supporting librarians in building game-based collections and implementing game-based programming).
*As an added bonus, interested fellows are invited to stay in Madison to attend the Play Make Learn Conference on July 9-10. The project will cover registration fees and lodging if needed! There is also the opportunity to receive a small stipend for participating. Want more info?:
The deadline to apply is Friday, May 8th, 2026.
We will follow up with selected applicants shortly thereafter. Note that even if you aren’t selected in this application process, there may be further opportunities for interested applicants to collaborate on the project.
Questions? Please first read the Call for Participation for further information. If you still have questions after that, you can reach out to co-project lead Chris Baker (Games & Learning Consultant / Public Library Consultant; Wisconsin DPI Bureau of Libraries) at Chris.Baker@dpi.wi.gov. For more information regarding the full scope of the National Games & Libraries Project, you can check out our project announcement blog post, or visit our project website; other invaluable project partners include WiLS, foundry10, Heart of the Deernicorn, and more. Game on!!
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