Library’s County-Wide Gaming Tournament [CWGT]
Miami-Dade Public Library System, Fla.
Innovation Synopsis
The CWGT is designed to provide children and teens an opportunity to engage with their peers in friendly competition through video games. Young library patrons are able to experience the fun of video game competition in a safe, positive environment. Facing off as individuals, participants develop good sportsmanship and new relationships.
Challenge/Opportunity
The CWGT arose out of a need to offer young patrons programs that would allow them to compete in a friendly, positive environment with their peers. As such it:
- Provides children and teens with a fun, safe event that promotes good sportsmanship and encourages family participation
- Introduces children and teens to the format and function of video game tournaments
- Builds community relations and develop relationships
- Increases awareness and usage of library resources and events among the children and teen population
Key Elements of Innovation
The CWGT consists of qualifying tournaments held at libraries throughout Miami-Dade County. Each of these tournaments is a day-long event. Children and teens compete by separate age groups. Finalists from each age group are invited to take part in a final tournament event held at the Main Library. All events are held on Saturdays in order maximize participation. The final tournament coincides with large-scale family events held in the spring and fall. The top four competitors from each age group win trophies and prizes.
Achieved Outcomes
As a result of the CWGT, hundreds of children and teens have participated in over 30 qualifying tournaments and four seasonal finals. The CWGT has covered a wide range of video game genres and styles, including fighting and racing games. The games chosen are based on a variety of factors including recency of release, titles already being utilized in larger (national or global) tournaments as well as specific interest expressed by participating library patrons.