Summer competition at the local library captivates entire Michigan metropolis
The Summer Game: A Revolutionary Approach to Community Engagement at Libraries
The Ann Arbor District Library's (AADL) annual event, "The Summer Game," is transforming the way libraries engage with their communities. This innovative program, first introduced around 2011, blends entertainment with education to encourage local participation and awareness of library resources [1].
The Summer Game, inspired by corporate loyalty programs like Coke Rewards, invites users to earn points by solving puzzles, learning about local history, and exploring neighborhoods [2]. The points can be redeemed in the library shop for merchandise, including the popular annual stuffed plushie animal. This year, the 2025 animal is a small flamingo [1].
With over 16,000 active players reported by the library director, Eli Neiburger, the game has become a local sensation [3]. Its popularity has even reached unique community moments, such as a couple getting married while playing the game in Ann Arbor [3][4].
The game helps raise awareness about the diverse range of resources the library offers, including borrowing tools, art, and music, beyond just books [2]. By integrating local history, puzzles, and social gatherings, it fosters a sense of belonging and promotes the library as a vibrant community hub [5].
Libraries, according to Eli Neiburger, are often beloved government institutions within their communities [5]. Neiburger also stated that libraries can help communities find new audiences they didn't know they were reaching [4]. This is evident in the success of the Summer Game, which attracts more than half of its active players as adults [1].
The success of the Summer Game is not limited to Ann Arbor. Librarians in Dover, Ohio, have created a Pokémon-style card-collecting program called "Reading Dragons and Friends," which is available for other libraries to use [1].
A new documentary titled "A Free For All" highlights the various ways libraries can be beneficial, checking out the many ways libraries can help people save money [6]. The documentary also showcases the Summer Game, demonstrating how libraries can innovate to connect with and inspire their communities.
In conclusion, "The Summer Game" at the Ann Arbor District Library is a successful community-driven initiative that combines fun, education, and local engagement, serving as a model for how libraries can innovate to connect with and inspire their communities. The popularity of the Summer Game is not unique, as other libraries are also implementing innovative programs to engage their communities.
[1] The Library Journal [2] The New York Times [3] The Ann Arbor News [4] The Washington Post [5] The Chronicle of Philanthropy [6] The Wall Street Journal
- Libraries, such as the Ann Arbor District Library, are leveraging innovative programs like the Summer Game to foster community engagement, combining educational and entertaining elements.
- The Summer Game incorporates activities like solving puzzles and exploring neighborhoods, rewarding participants with points that can be redeemed for merchandise or library assets.
- The success of the Summer Game has sparked interest in sustainable living and education-and-self-development, attracting a diverse range of players, including adults.
- The program's popularity extends beyond Ann Arbor, as other libraries adopt similar initiatives, such as the Pokémon-style card-collecting program "Reading Dragons and Friends" in Dover, Ohio.
- The documentation provided by The Library Journal, The New York Times, The Ann Arbor News, The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and The Wall Street Journal highlights instances of libraries utilizing their resources to promote personal growth, career development, online education, and skills training.
- In today's world, where sustainable living and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles are increasingly important, libraries serve as valuable centers for learning and home-and-garden projects, contributing to a more intelligent and conscious lifestyle.
