Sustainable and effective library video game services can be a challenge to develop
and maintain. The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Libraries explored two common
services among academic libraries—a game collection and undergraduate gaming
events—and decided to host two game nights as a pilot program. The events were
poorly attended, and a subsequent analysis of the unsuccessful events led to a different
and innovative approach to supporting games-related research and teaching, based
primarily on building effective relationships on and off campus rather than holding open
undergraduate events and building collections. This paper discusses the early
exploration of video game collections and undergraduate events, the challenges
encountered, and the resulting outreach strategies, including programs and activities
that leverage access to new gaming technologies, partnerships with student groups,
and support of interdisciplinary researchers and instructors. The authors conclude that