In my last post, I shared some pilot research that I recently published on issues and challenges that academic libraries are facing in developing digital game collections. I alluded that this was the start of a bigger project, and I’m ready to share that now. I’m super excited to share the news that I have been awarded a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services that will take this work to the next level: Building a Foundation to Collect Independent Digital Games in Libraries, LG-256637-OLS-24.

The full project details can be found here on the IMLS website, but the basic idea is to foster bigger conversations between the library world and the game world to start developing strategies and tools for libraries to collect, preserve, and provide access to digital games. To that end, the project team will be planning a national virtual forum in October 2025 to discuss major issues and get perspectives from librarians, library users, game developers, and library legal and policy experts that will shape the future of digital game collecting strategies.

While I’ll be leading this project, I’m bringing in people from library and indie gaming communities at all stages. To start, I’ve pulled together a dream team advisory committee who will be providing consultation and input on all major project activities: Kendra Albert (Harvard Law School), Phillip Penix-Tadsen (University of Delaware), Diane Robson (University of North Texas), John Scalzo (Irondequoit Public Library), and Rebecca Slitt (Choice of Games).

There will be plenty of opportunities for others from the library and gaming communities to take part in the months ahead. I’ll be dropping updates on my personal blog here, but this will be the main source for project information: go.uncg.edu/dgil. Check it out, and get in touch!