What can D&D do for you?

Dungeons & Dragons• What is D&D?

• How do I do it?

• What’s it got to do with libraries?

What is D&D?A role-playing game (RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting.

Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development.

What do you need to play?• Rulebooks (Players Handbook, Dungeon

Masters Guide, Monster Manual $45 each)

• Dice ($5-$20 per set)

• Players (4-6 is optimal)

• At least one person who knows the rules.

• Everything else is optional

What you need to run a program• Space with a table where you can make

some noise

• Maps & tokens

• Pencils and paper

• Snacks (careful with the caffeine)

• A few hours of time to play

• Some powerpoints for the players who are chained to their laptops.

What did we do?• Monthly games

• Librarian-organised games (later teens organised themselves)

• Email/Facebook story refreshers

• Published content online and in print

What did we learn?

Once a month is not enough but more than that is way too much.

Story refreshers were ACE

Published content was awesome

Teens can’t organise themselves. Fact of life.

Things to Remember• Remind players where they are up to

• Keep players on track

• Be flexible

• Provide food & drinks

• Be theatrical

• Have FUN!

But D&D is just a game!Q: Our focus right now needs to be on the NYR2012. I don’t have time to do frivolous programming right now.

A: D&D is core business.

• Literacy

• Oral Storytelling

• Writing skills