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Checkout The Arcade Age exhibit at the Central Library from September 27 to January 5th! This exhibit explores the history of video games through exhibits and gameplay, just as they were intended to be experienced - in an arcade!

The exhibit tells the story of video arcade games; from the pioneers in the early ‘40s and ’50s to the golden age in the late ‘70s and early ’80s to its crash, revival and ultimate decline in the ‘90s. It is a story of the creative and innovative people who explored groundbreaking technologies, the games that sprung from their ingenuity and a culture that was shaped by their developments.

All of the games are set to free-play. Twelve games will be stationed throughout the Library for play for all ages and will include unforgettable favorites like Q*bert, Street Fighter 2 and Joust.

Watch a tour of The Arcade Age from its home at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York.

Making Connections through Gaming

One of the roles of our Library is to encourage people to make connections with one another. What better way to do that than with video games?

Did you know that playing video games can decrease feelings of isolation by allowing people to travel vast virtual spaces while their real-world space might be restricted? Or that they can bring comfort and encourage collaborative thinking, along with building problem solving skills?

Check out these resources to learn more about making connections through gaming:

AARP Quiz: Find Out How Gaming Promotes Social Connections

10 Comfort Games the Encourage Kindness, Community and Well-Being

Video Games are Social Spaces: How Video Games Help People Connect

Upcoming Programs

Hybrid: Night with a Museum - National Video Game Museum

Tuesday, September 17, 7-8 p.m., Central Library OR Online

Video Game Trivia

Thursday, October 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Central Library

Teen DIY : Mini Pinball Machine (12-19 years)

Wednesday, October 16, 6-7 p.m., Central Library

Teen Game Night : Pac- Man (12-19 years)

Wednesday, November 13, 6-7 p.m., Central Library

Tween Coding : Video Games (9-12 years)

Wednesday, November 20, 4-5p.m., Central Library

Book and Movie Recommendations

Movies

Wreck-It Ralph (PG)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG)

Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (PG-13)

Sonic the Hedgehog (PG)

Binge Box: Got A Token? (Various titles)

Picture books recommended for ages 5-8

Let's Play Monsters! by Lucy Cousins

The Couch Potato by Jory John

On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna

Lucky Leaf by Kevin O'Malley

Playtime for Restless Rascals by Nikki Grimes

Chapter books recommended for ages 9-12

Ultimate Gaming Showdown by M.K. England

Trapped in a Video Game by Dustin Brady

Minecraft: The Shipwreck by C.B. Lee

Press Start: Super Viking Land by Thomas Flintham

Arcade World: Dino Trouble by Nate Bitt

Teen books recommended for ages 12-19

Gamer Girl: 25 Women Who Built the Video Game Industry by Mary Kenney

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

Cat + Gamer, Vol. 1 by Wataru Nadatani

Game On!: Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, and More by Mary Kenney

DPS Only! by Xiao Tong Kong

Adult books

Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master : Pong, Atari, and the Dawn of the Video Game by David Kushner

Video Game of the Year: A Year-by-Year Guide to the Best, Boldest, and Most Bizarre Games from Every Year Since 1977 by Jordan Minor

Control Freak : My Epic Adventures Making Video Games by Cliff Bleszinski

Creating Q*bert and Other Classic Video Arcade Games by Warren Davis

How Pac-Man Eats by Noah Wardrip-Fruin