Library Arcade™ is an innovative game-based curriculum that helps librarians transform how they facilitate library and information skills instruction. The curriculum incorporates the pedagogical affordances of graphic novels, videogames and simulations to facilitate information literacy instruction. Therefore, we often state that the curriculum exists right at the intersection of graphic novels, videogames and information literacy.
Game-Based Learning
Library Arcade™ focuses on library and information literacy development for students in kindergarten through 6th grade. The instructional design of Library Arcade assists school librarians in identifying 96 core content domains across 4 grade bands (K4-K5, 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6) Each unit is designed to emphasize conceptual understanding and real-world applications with equal focus.
First, each lesson starts with a Warm Up question to get students thinking about the core content of the lesson and actively participating from the start of class. Each Warm Up question is designed to link students’ personal experiences to lesson content and link current content to previous lessons. The question is always simple, easy and relatable. It focuses on personal experiences, interests and opinion, and students have 5 minutes to answer the question. After answering the question, student will be more receptive and engaged during the upcoming Library Talk phase of the lesson.
Second, the lesson transitions to the whole-group, Library Talk phase. Talking about library and information skills is an important aspect of information literacy development. The Library Talk phase of the lesson starts with a few students sharing their responses to the Warm Up question. Then, the librarian facilitates a whole-group overview of a library skill or concept for the lesson. Librarians can use the Library Arcade scripted overviews or incorporate their own. The whole-group, Library Talk phase is a great opportunity to connect the strategies, experiences, and opinions that students shared to best-practice library approaches and understandings.
Third, students transition from Library Talk to Arcade Readers. Arcade Readers are activity books that exist right at the intersection of graphic novels and videogames. Arcade Readers feature graphic novel style illustrations and dialogue balloons that work together to explain library skills. Additionally, Arcade Readers have embedded, arcade-style learning games that provide fun, challenging and engaging environments to practice library and information skills.
Fourth, each lesson ends with the librarian facilitating a whole-group Debriefing. During the Debriefing discussion, students reflect on their thoughts, experiences and key takeaways related to the skills covered in the Library Talk and Arcade Reader. The Debriefing is also an opportunity to connect the skills covered in the lesson to prior and future skills. Librarians can use the Library Arcade scripted Debriefing or incorporate their own.
Member Contributors
We are constantly expanding the Library Arcade curriculum. If you have a great lesson idea and you are a member, we would love to hear from you! Current members can login and use the submission portal to submit a lesson proposal. If your proposal is accepted, you will work with Library Arcade editors and game designers to develop the lesson. We look forward to hearing from you!
Leadership
Library Arcade™ is designed, programmed and published by an innovative group of librarians, led by Dr. Terrance Newell. Dr. Newell is the cofounder and executive editor of Library Arcade. He is passionate about reading, gaming and information literacy. Over the last 20 years, Dr. Newell has served as a K-12 teacher, library director, professor and videogame designer. He has also written extensively about the potential of learning games within librarianship. Under Dr. Newell’s leadership, Library Arcade™ is taking a leading position in helping librarians promote reading through gaming.
Team
Jenny Boyd
Robin Reynolds
Justin Gordon
Sarah Hill
Valarie Davis
David Carter
Crystal Andrew
Derrick Williams
Elliot Miller
Kevin Brown
Contact Us
Feel free to send us questions that you have about Library Arcade™ subscriptions, and we will give you the information you need. Or, request a consultation to speak with a representative.