At The Time Of Writing

LibraryCraft was created to carry communities together throughout Western Australia (WA) in a protected, structured and moderated approach so that players may stretch their creativity and imagination. LibraryCraft uses the features of Minecraft that stretch users’ innovation and artistic pondering, develops their STEAM abilities and builds social and life skills akin to collaboration, negotiation, financial management and civic engagement.

Design/methodology/method

In late 2019, the Fremantle Library launched a small, local Minecraft server for the local community of younger people. After a number of months of testing and upgrades, LibraryCraft was made obtainable to all gamers aged 7-17 throughout WA, and WA native governments have been invited to take part.

Findings

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a cancellation of Fremantle Library in-particular person programmes; LibraryCraft, as a purely on-line programme, was scaled up, and in a number of weeks, had more than tripled its player base. At  MINECRAFT SERVERS  of writing, LibraryCraft brings together 20 WA native councils, reaches over one hundred gamers from Derby-West Kimberley to Albany and sees hundreds of play hours logged every week. Players have created new friendships across the state and are frequently working collaboratively on challenges and exploration.

Originality/worth

Whereas Minecraft servers operated by libraries are removed from new, LibraryCraft is unique. No teams of libraries have run Minecraft servers collaboratively in Australia before, and none is obtainable state vast. The programme is extremely valued with families in WA, providing a secure social outlet for gamers caught at dwelling in isolation.