On The Time Of Writing

LibraryCraft was created to deliver communities together throughout Western Australia (WA) in a protected, structured and moderated approach in order that gamers could stretch their creativity and imagination. LibraryCraft makes use of the features of Minecraft that stretch users innovation and inventive thinking, develops their STEAM skills and builds social and life skills similar to collaboration, negotiation, financial administration and civic engagement.

Design/methodology/strategy

In late 2019, the Fremantle Library launched a small, native Minecraft server for the local people of younger people. After a number of months of testing and upgrades, LibraryCraft was made accessible to all players aged 7-17 throughout WA, and WA native governments had been invited to participate.

Findings

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a cancellation of Fremantle Library in-person programmes; LibraryCraft, as a purely on-line programme, was scaled up, and in just a few weeks, had more than tripled its participant base. At the time of writing, LibraryCraft brings collectively 20 WA local councils, reaches over one hundred gamers from Derby-West Kimberley to Albany and sees tons of of play hours logged every week.MINECRAFT SERVERShave created new friendships throughout the state and are recurrently working collaboratively on challenges and exploration.

Originality/value

While Minecraft servers operated by libraries are far from new, LibraryCraft is unique. No groups of libraries have run Minecraft servers collaboratively in Australia earlier than, and none is accessible state wide. The programme is extremely valued with households in WA, offering a safe social outlet for players stuck at house in isolation.