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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am sharing the many responses I received to my question on how board game collections are kept. Replies are attached as pdf and included below. Thank you to everyone who shared how they process their games; our game collection is off to a good start here!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We've recently started a collection as well, and are just leaving them in their boxes, with a couple of rubber bands to keep them from spilling everywhere if they get knocked down/dropped. No problems so far, the boxes should be sturdy enough to take at least a bit of a beating.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>One recommendation I have seen for board game collections in the past is the purchase of an accurate postal scale. You can weigh the board games, and when they're returned, if the weight is accurate, you know that you don't have to count every piece. This won't catch if a few cards are gone, but much more than that it should show the difference. If you try this, get one with a large plate, ours is small and the boxes don't all fit well, it throws off our measurements a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Donald Priest<br>Director<br>Southgate Veterans Memorial Library<br>14680 Dix-Toledo Rd.<br>Southgate MI 48195<br>734-258-300<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We pretty much just store ours in the boxes they came in. We include small baggies to <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>put the pieces in, but we just wrap a four-way rubber band around the box and circulate them that way. We've only been circulating board games for a little over a year, but it seems to work for the most part. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Valerie<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>------------------<br>Valerie Long, MLIS<br>Acquisitions Clerk<br>Ann Arbor District Library<br></span><a href="mailto:longv@aadl.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>longv@aadl.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> / 734-327-4286<br>Pronouns: They/Them - See </span><a href="http://www.mypronouns.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>www.mypronouns.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> to learn more<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I thought I'd share how we're handling our games in case it's of interest to you. Most of our games are just displayed on open shelving. You'll see a few that are packed in plastic bins but those are typically smaller or have pieces/parts that are unusual. For most of our games, we have large rubber bands that hold the boxes together. Some go both top to bottom and side to side (see 3rd picture). For smaller items, we have some thick rubber bands that keep the tops secured. I didn't take a picture but know that each game comes with an inventory list that our staff generates and secures the box (usually inside the lid) for patrons to use as a reference in maintaining and returning the game. Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to answer or find out for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I should add that we also have puzzles for checkout. More of those tend to be in plastic boxes but it may have more to do with the box strength. If the box is in good shape, they simply have a rubber band as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Dana Allen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Administrative Clerk<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Howell Carnegie District Library<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Howell, MI 48843<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>BCLS started a board game collection a few years ago. We keep them in their original box with a large label on the inside of the box lid listing all pieces and quantities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Jeanette Marks, Managing Librarian<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Bay County Library System<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Sage Branch Library<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>100 E. Midland St.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Bay City, MI 48706<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>989-892-8555, ext 307<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:jmarks@baycountylibrary.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>jmarks@baycountylibrary.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We left ours in their original boxes. We put them in a cloth Friends of the Library bag (collection sponsor) when we check them out. But that’s it. We decided to keep it simple because we don’t have much money in the games. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Gretchen Evans<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Paw Paw District Library<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>609 W Michigan Ave<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Paw Paw, MI 49079<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>269-657-3800<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We leave them in the box and get game board rubber bands to keep the lids on. All the pieces inside are bagged separately with like items. The outside of the box has a sticker which includes all the number of items. If the box is flimsy we will sometimes place contact paper around it to strengthen it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I hope this helps!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Mary Cook<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Library Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Allendale Township Library<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>6175 Library Lane<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Allendale, MI 49401<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>616.895.4178<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We leave in the original box. A few that have tops that come off easy we have fabric velcro straps around to keep closed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Deanna Riggleman, Director<br>Tamarack District Library<br>832 S. Lincoln Avenue<br>Lakeview, MI 48850<br>(989) 352-6274<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Ours are in the original box. Pieces are in ziploc baggies with the number of pieces written on it with marker. List of pieces in notebook at the desk and barcodes are on the outside lid of the game and in our card catalog.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Happy New Year!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Joann Simmons<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Hudson Carnegie District Library (zv170)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>205 S. Market St.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Hudson MI 49247<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>517-448-3801<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>director@hudsoncdl.org<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>When I worked at a library with a board game collection, we left them in the box and used Grifiti brand cross-style rubber bands to keep them closed. All of the component parts were listed on a laminated sheet, and all other paper (instructions, paper money, etc.) were laminated as well. We asked patrons to check to make sure all the component parts were in the box before they left the library, since they would otherwise be responsible for replacement costs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I now work at a library with a more general tools collection, which has STEAM kits, outdoor games, and board games. For that collection, we put board games in a large tote bag with the laminated components inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Best of luck!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Shira<br clear=all><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>CADL puts ours in plastic containers. We then put an inventory on the front with pictures so it is easy for patrons to make sure they have all the pieces when they turn it in. Many of our games are in ArtBin containers, they work relatively well and we’ve only had a few of the plastic containers break.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Jessica Goodrich<i> (she, her, hers)</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Library of Things and Business Outreach Librarian<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Capital Area District Library – Community Outreach<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>401 S. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>517-367-6330 | <a href="mailto:goodrichj@cadl.org">goodrichj@cadl.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.cadl.org&d=DQMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=eQ4zwfvICxqHRkdUL5_5Ew&m=10jJJ5KSdHz2-h8X5t1pHUHubNn2DWMq89Hf3-OPD2Y&s=3rbAsyBXjj2NNLBsgfvAFXBIOTtrw486OCi5yA3tUNc&e="><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>www.cadl.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> | </span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.com_cadlibrary-3Fref-3Dhl&d=DQMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=eQ4zwfvICxqHRkdUL5_5Ew&m=10jJJ5KSdHz2-h8X5t1pHUHubNn2DWMq89Hf3-OPD2Y&s=Mh_HT9zWTBaQYNJrkGn5UQkZsHahpNWPo3T1jUZsMTo&e="><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>facebook.com/cadlibrary</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> | </span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.twitter.com_cadl&d=DQMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=eQ4zwfvICxqHRkdUL5_5Ew&m=10jJJ5KSdHz2-h8X5t1pHUHubNn2DWMq89Hf3-OPD2Y&s=kjEu80TS31ymwngLwD5AH2BEd7u0lbjJEff7iRegUfQ&e="><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>twitter.com/cadl</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We have ours just in their regular boxes. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>At my previous library, we had a board game and puzzle collection. We kept them all in their original boxes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>At my current library, we are preparing to start a "library of things" that will contain board games. We plan to keep them in their original boxes if possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Hope this info helps,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>-Laura Orlowski, director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Jonesville District Library</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We at Farmington Community Library, have them rubber banded with special type that covers them by all four sides. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I hope this makes sense. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Happy New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Emma DeCenso<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Head of Adult Services<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Farmington Community Library <br>Farmington Hills, MI <o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We have left most of them in the boxes. If the box is too beat up we move it to a plastic container.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We’ve been lending </span><a href="https://parchmentlibrary.biblionix.com/?booklist=22257"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>board games</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> for a few months now. We keep them in the original boxes. We cover the exterior of the lid with clear self-adhesive plastic and we reinforce the interior corners of the bottom of the box with fiber tape. We secure each box with two large rubber bands – the bands are large enough and light enough not to warp the box. We affix a list of the contents of the game (i.e. 1 game board, 12 red disks, 12 blue disks, 52 cards, 1 rules sheet) inside the lid. We place the playing pieces and cards in labeled Ziploc bags. So far this has been working well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Most of our </span><a href="https://parchmentlibrary.biblionix.com/?booklist=28051"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>card games</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> come in lightweight cardboard boxes that are easily torn, and these we have placed in clear plastic boxes (originally intended to hold 4x6 index cards). The card games that come in more robust boxes (like Exploding Kittens) are left in the original box and processed like board games. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We recently received a gift of 19 </span><a href="https://parchmentlibrary.biblionix.com/?booklist=27917"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>jigsaw puzzles</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> in excellent condition, and we’ve started circulating them as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Hope this helps! Our patrons are really enjoying the games. If you need further information, let me know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Teresa L. Stannard, Library Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>401 S Riverview Dr., Parchment, MI 49004<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>269 343-7747 ext. 203<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Parchmentlibrary.org<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>We leave ours in the box for the most part and put one of those silicone h-bands around them so they stay shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Adrienne Breznau<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>she/her/hers<br>Head of Access Services<br>Royal Oak Public Library<br></span><a href="https://maps.google.com/?q=222+E.+Eleven+Mile+Road+Royal+Oak,+MI+48067&entry=gmail&source=g" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>222 E. Eleven Mile Road</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><br></span><a href="https://maps.google.com/?q=222+E.+Eleven+Mile+Road+Royal+Oak,+MI+48067&entry=gmail&source=g" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>Royal Oak, MI 48067</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:Gabriola;color:#0070C0'>BillieJo Bluemer</span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Gabriola;color:#0070C0'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#3D5E38'>Rauchholz Memorial Library<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#3D5E38'>1140 N Hemlock Rd<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#3D5E38'>Hemlock MI 48626<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#3D5E38'>989-642-8621<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=182 height=63 style='width:1.8958in;height:.6562in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D80174.2D1AE100" alt=smalllogo><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2">
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