Football connects libraries

For the past years, gaming has been a focal point for the library of Goethe-Institut Jakarta in Indonesia. We have our own separate Gaming Lounge, where Library visitors can play PS4, XBOX or Nintendo-Wii. And our popular Board Game Day attracts dozens of players every Friday afternoon. In 2016, Goethe-Institut participated in an Online FIFA Competition using PS4. During this event initiated by Cologne City Library, our library patrons had the chance of playing against patrons from Peking, Cologne and Lima. Inspired by this very successful online competition and in the spirit of the Asian Games 2018, Goethe-Institut Jakarta again held an “Online PS4 Competition”. This time, Goethe-Institut Jakarta invited 13 other libraries all over Asia to take part in this gaming challenge. Including a number of play-offs to choose finalists, the event ran from April throughout the entire summer. The final competition was on September 1st 2018, just a day before the official closing of the Asian Games. With our poster presentation, we want to inspire and encourage librarians to organize cross-library online gaming events. Events that connect people from all around the world in a playful and fun atmosphere.