Esports in Public Libraries
THE BIG OPPORTUNITY: Why Esports for Your Library?
Esports is a great platform for engagement, involvement, community, and retention.
Some video games facts:
66% of Americans play video games weekly
71% of Americans under 18 years of age play video games
65% of Americans 18 years of age and older play video games
There are 215.5 million active video game players across all ages in the U.S.
If you look at the percentage of high school students who are gamers, and those who simply watch esports, you realize it’s a central part of their lives now. Pew Research found in 2018 that 90% of teens (ages 13-17) play video games. Among boys of that age, the percentage is 97%
From a social standpoint, esports is more inclusive than other sports, with men and women able to play on the same teams and participants coming from various social groups and demographics.
Another consideration is that students in school who are interested in esports have a higher tendency to be academic achievers and are interested in higher paying STEM and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) fields.
YOUR TEENS' NEXT ESPORTS OPPORTUNITIES:
COLLEGIATE ASPIRATIONS
Most college campuses now have esports clubs and many have competitive teams. It is estimated that around 240 colleges are now offering approximately $15 million in scholarships.
Almost 700 colleges and universities and over 13,000 students participated in the 2021-22 NACE Starleague season. (see more here)
Esports curriculum and career pathways are growing rapidly. Several colleges are now offering academic esports programs (degrees, minors, certificates, etc.). This movement is similar to the rise of sports management degrees over the past several decades.
YOUR TEENS' NEXT ESPORTS OPPORTUNITIES:
CAREER ASPIRATIONS
Esports is a great platform for professional development and career preparation
Esports is a growing industry and career path. In 2020, the global esports market was valued at just over 950 million U.S. dollars. According to estimates, global esports revenues will reach almost 1.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2023.
According to Hitmarker, the number of esports jobs grew 118% from 2018 to 2019.
Non-endemic companies are beginning to pursue potential employees that have esports related skills in order to capitalize on changing market demands.
Career opportunities exist in professional, as well as scholastic esports, both domestically and globally.
Our Services
Esports Club Development and Programming
Esports Facility Development and Programming
Esports Curriculum Development and Academic Programming
Esports Varsity/Competitive Team Development and Programming
Esports Consulting & Curriculum For All Your Needs:
Esports Experiential Learning Projects
Esports After School Programming
Professional Development for Scholastic Esports Administrators/Directors
Professional Development for Scholastic/Community/Youth Esports Coaches
Our Process
How We Help
● Streamline the Process – We help eliminate the most common roadblocks enabling quicker development and implementation
● Cater Esports to Your Community – Begin with your institution's mission, goals, and program purpose, and cater our efforts to your specific needs
● Delivery – We bring immediate and ongoing results to continually move your program forward.
Why Esports?
Here are some additional benefits to share
Individuals Gain Skills for Career and Life
Social Skills
Communication
Empathy
Inclusiveness
Critical Thinking
Leadership
Teamwork
Making Connections
Goal Setting
Preparation
Problem Solving
Preparation
Managing Success & Failure
Strategic Thinking
Other Benefits Include:
- Improved Engagement and Retention for your library
- Better Choices & Healthier Behaviors
Next Steps
We can meet with you virtually to understand the current state of the esports initiatives and any existing esports programs within your library or system.
Based on this call we collectively decide if an in-person visit is necessary, if so, we plan for this. If no in-person visit is necessary, we construct a formal consultation timeline, including setting monthly milestones within the program.
Past and Current Esports Partnerships
Playfly Esports
(formerly CSL Esports)
We were the exclusive and named curriculum provider to Playfly Esports in the scholastic (K-12) and higher education market. Playfly Esports is the largest operator of scholastic esports leagues in North America.
Esports Development and Growth Enterprises
EDGE is a curriculum and consulting provider partner of Access Alliance for Education.
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (past partnership with CSL Esports)
We provided exclusive esports consulting and curriculum services to WIAA members in association with Playfly Esports (formerly CSL Esports). WIAA is the governing body of athletics and activities for secondary education schools in the state of Washington.
EsportsAcademics
EsportsAcademics is a curriculum provider partner of Access Alliance for Education.