Philadelphia Libraries Pair Up With Pokemon Go

If you are reading this, you almost certainly have heard about Pokemon Go, the hot mobile game that encourages players (called “trainers”) to get outside and explore as they catch new Pokemon, hatch eggs, and fight battles at local gyms. As of this month it’s been a year since PoGo launched, and several events have been planned both inside the game and in the real world to commemorate the occasion.

Pokemon Go is pairing with the Philadelphia Library System to create an exciting partnership for readers and gamers.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s cooperation with Pokemon Go will tie in with the Free Library of Philadelphia system’s summer reading program with the educational initiative. According to ComicBook.com, “Those players and readers who participate in the efforts while taking part in Philadelphia’s Summer of Wonder program will be able to qualify for the chance to win a special item related to the game, though it’s not yet been revealed what kind of item that might be.” Items in the game include eggs and incubators to hatch them, different kind of berries that help players catch Pokemon, and Pokeballs, which are flung at wild Pokemon to catch them. There are also a spate of new special items that were recently added to the game with the updated gym system.

It’s an interesting association between Pokemon Go and the library system, since you’ll hardly catch many rare Pokemon sitting around the stacks. To that end, part of the teamwork between the libraries and the game consists of “providing visitors and individuals participating in the summer program with a map that outlines all of the area’s nearby PokeStops so that participants can get out and explore their own surroundings.”

Vikram Grover, senior director of business development at Pokemon Go creator Niantic points out that the game has drawn attention to Philadelphia’s landmarks and historic structures by making them Pokestops and gyms in the game. “Partnering with Knight Foundation and Philadelphia’s Free Library continues to build on Niantic’s vision to create ‘adventures on foot’ and to bring communities together in the real world, at vital public institutions like libraries, to explore, learn and engage with these institutions,” he said.