Dragons in the Stacks
Role Playing Games in Libraries
Maine Library Association 2015

What is an RPG
A game in which players take on the roles of imaginary
characters who engage in adventures, typically in a
particular fantasy setting overseen by a referee.
Source: OED

Varieties of RPGs
Tabletop (Pen and Paper) - Dungeons and Dragons
MMO - World of Warcraft
MUD/MUX/MUSH
PBEM
Single player electronic - Final Fantasy
LARP
RPS - Mind’s Eye Theatre
Boffer - Dagorhir

Parts of an RPG
System - The rules of the game
Character creation
Task resolution
Combat
“Magic”
Setting - The world the game takes place in

Brief History of RPGs

Early days
Games derived solely from tabletop wargaming
Braunstein (1967)
Blackmoor (1971)
Chainmail (1971)
Dungeons and Dragons (1974)

Good Old Days
Profusion of games and settings, strong emphasis on
simulation
“Real life”
RuneQuest (1978)
RoleMaster (1980)
Genre
Call of Cthulhu (1981)
James Bond 007 (1983)

International Reach
RPGs expand into other countries, either home grown or
translations
Drakar och Demoner (1982)
Das Schwarze Auge (1984)
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (1986)
Sword World (Japan, 1989)

Dark Times
Emergence of “storytelling” games
Ars Magica (1988)
Vampire: the Masquerade (1991)
Story games
Sorcerer (2002)

Satanic Panic
Began in the mid 1980s
Moral panic over RPGs and the corruption of children
BADD (Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons)
Still residual misconceptions to this day
Pulling Report
Systematic dismantling of BADD’s arguments
The Escapist
Online source for gaming advocacy

Theory Wars
Threefold Model Theory (GDS)
Developed on Usenet to discuss “best” style of play
Game - Balance, fairness
Drama - Story, meaning, theme
Simulation - Metagaming
Evolved into GNS theory
Knutepunkt conferences
Held since 1997

Indie Revolution
Open gaming
Major companies issued open licences
Indie games
Advent of PDF and PoD publishing
OSR
Reimagining of older editions of games

Why RPGs in Libraries

Benefits to players
RPGs reinforce considerable number of standards in
Common Core
Mathematics
English Language Arts and Literacy

Mathematics
Basic math on the fly
Probabilities
Literacy
Lists of inspirational sources
Reading to enrich game play
“High Gygaxian”

Socialization
Majority of games are cooperative
Leadership skills
Creativity
Improvisation
Player contribution to game
Agency
Controlled environment to explore situations
Varying amounts of narrative control

RPG Programs

Free Games
D&D Basic Rules
Complete rules for core classes
Risus
Minimalist RPG
Savage Worlds Test Drive
Basic rules and accessories for Savage Worlds
Fate Core or Fate Accelerated Edition
Complete versions of both games

Free Games
D6 System
Complete game
Prose Descriptive Qualities System
Complete game

Game Selection
Top Five Games based on sales
1.Dungeons and Dragons, 5th edition (Wizards of the
Coast)
2.Pathfinder (Paizo Publishing)
3.Star Wars (Fantasy Flight Games)
4.Shadowrun (Catalyst Game Labs)
5.Iron Kingdoms (Privateer Press)
Source: http://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/32097/top-5-roleplaying-games-spring-2015

Where to get the rest
FLGS - Favorite Local Gaming Store
Staff can provide advice on games
Direct from Publisher
Offer print and PDF bundles
Online Print Booksellers
Convenient for big publishers
Online Electronic Booksellers
PDFs, some PoD options

Basics
Safety first
Permission slips
Visitors
Advertising
Promote program
Word of mouth among teens

Preparation
Group size
Ideal: 4-6 players
May need pre-generated characters and scenario
First game
Simple
Short
Self contained

Seven Player Types
Player engagement
The Power Gamer wants to make his character bigger, tougher, buffer, and richer.
The Butt-Kicker wants to let off steam with a little old-fashioned vicarious mayhem.
The Tactician is probably a military buff, who wants chances to think his way through complex, realistic problems,
usually those of the battlefield.
The Specialist favors a particular character type, which he plays in every campaign and in every setting.
The Method Actor believes that roleplaying is a medium for personal expression, strongly identifying with the
character he plays.
The Storyteller, like the method actor, is more inclined to the roleplaying side of the equation and less interested
in numbers and experience points.
The Casual Gamer is often forgotten in discussions of this sort, but almost every group has one. Casual gamers
tend to be low key folks who are uncomfortable taking center stage even in a small group.
Source: Robin’s Laws of Good Gamemastering, p.4-5

Further Reading
Print
Dragons in the Stacks: a Teen Librarian’s Guide to Tabletop Role-Playing
Robin’s Laws of Good Gamemastering
Complete Trilogy: Focal Point, Odyssey, and Never Unprepared
Online
ENWorld (D&D and Pathfinder focused website)
RPGnet (general RPG and gaming site)
Gnome Stew (Game Mastering advice)

Growth
Game length
One shot - One session
Convention games
Short campaign - Six to eight sessions
Published adventures
Long campaign - Ten or more sessions
Western Marches

Expansion
Scheduling
Run different groups of players at separate times
Recruitment
Allow participants to run games

Contact information
Cason Snow
Metadata Librarian/Cataloger
University of Maine
207-581-1670