Application Period Open for 2021 ALA GameRT ‘Game On!’ Grants

CHICAGO — The Games and Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association is proud to sponsor its annual grant program to enable libraries to develop gaming programs or collections for their patrons. Through the Game On! grants $500.00 will be available to be awarded either as one grant of $500 or two of $250 each to assist a library or libraries in developing gaming programs or collections for their communities.

ALA members in good standing currently employed at a public, school, academic or special library in the United States or Canada are eligible to apply. Libraries will need to illustrate a plan for a sustainable gaming program created with the funds as well as financial need and institutional support for the proposed program.

The application period will take place from January 1 to March 1 of each year, and the grant winner will be announced at GameRT’s “ALA Play” event at ALA Annual conference, or online should that event be impacted by COVID-19.  Additional information and an application can be found at

“2021 will be a challenging year for many libraries  — tasked with finding new, creative ways to serve our patrons during a pandemic while also facing unprecedented budget and staffing cuts. While we ardently believe gaming in libraries is more important than ever right now, GameRT also recognizes that funding gaming collections or programs may not be a top priority. We are thrilled to be able to offer this grant for a second year in a row.” said GameRT President Jessica Parij. 

About the Games and Gaming Round Table

The Games and Gaming Round Table (GameRT) of the American Library Association provides a venue for librarians interested in the use of games and gaming in libraries of all types a place to gather and share. GameRT was formed in 2011, replacing and extending the pre-existing gaming member interest group. As a round table, GameRT is built around our shared passion for games and the use of gaming within libraries. With members from all types of libraries, GameRT encompasses a wide variety of viewpoints, situations, and user types. Look for more information on the GameRT blog.

About ALA

Established in 1876, the American Library Association (ALA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

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