About the Game Collection
The Game Collection at Auraria Library was launched in 2025 using funds from a University of Colorado Denver Inclusive Excellence Grant ($5,000) and one-time funding from library administration ($2,500). The collection consists of over 200 board games, card games, and tabletop role playing games (TTRPG). Most games can be checked out from the library for two weeks to current Auraria campus affiliated students, faculty, and staff. Some games are library use only. Community members may use the games in the library.
Game Collection Goals
- Support student well-being through opportunities for collaborative learning, community building, creative play, and team building.
- Support campus curricula through educational games and create opportunities for instructors to incorporate games into their pedagogy.
- Reinforce social and life skills such as inquiry, information sharing, communication, problem solving, and critical thinking.
- Increase a sense of belonging, community, and comfort for students in the library and on Auraria campus.
- Support student learning through multi-modal learning methods.
- Build stronger connections between the library and users.
- Provide opportunities for relaxation between classes and work.
Selection of Games
The Collection Development Program Lead Librarian selected the initial collection of board, card, and tabletop role playing games. Games were selected based on recommendations from library users via answers on whiteboards in Fall 2024, lists of award winners, games created by historically marginalized communities, educational games relevant to campus teaching and learning, recommendations for library employees, and games in other academic library collections.
The Game Collection FAQs
How was the game collection funded?
The Game Collection at Auraria Library was started in 2025 using funds from a University of Colorado Denver Inclusive Excellence Grant ($5,000) and one-time funding from library administration ($2,500).
When will I be able to check out games?
Spring semester 2026!
Who can check out games?
Current Auraria campus affiliated students, faculty, and staff can check out games. All users, including community members, can use the games within Auraria Library.
Where is The Game Collection in the library?
The games are shelved in the middle of the first floor of the library next to the DVDs.
How do I check out games?
To check out games to play outside of the library, bring the games to the Ask Us Desk, the yellow desk area in the middle of the first floor of Auraria Library.
Where should I return the games?
Games must be returned to the Ask Us Desk, the yellow desk area in the middle of the first floor of Auraria Library.
How long can I check out games?
Most games can be checked out for two weeks. Some games are library use only (this is indicated through labels on the game and status in the library catalog). Games cannot be renewed.
Can instructors use games in classes?
Yes!
Will there be game events in the Auraria Library?
Yes! We hope to start game events in the library in spring 2026.
Where can games be played in Auraria Library?
Games can be played anywhere on the first floor and in the study rooms on the second floor of Auraria Library.
Where did you purchase the games?
To support local businesses, games were mostly acquired from independently owned, local game stores such as Wizard’s Chest, Mythic Games, Black & Read, and Golden Game Guild.
If I would like to suggest a game for the collection, how do I do this?
Please fill out our Recommend a Purchase form.
If I have a question about the game collection, who should I contact?
Email cdl@auraria.edu.
