2015

Fall LATI Dianne Dacey Program Proposal

Program Description
This summer we are adding a Cooperative Games program. Games will include Hoop Pass, where the
group stands in a circle holding hands and has to move a hula hoop around the circle without letting go
of their hands and Human Knot, where the group stands in a circle and reaches across to hold hands
with two different people; they then have to unknot themselves without letting go of hands.
Cooperative Games provide children with opportunities to participate in games that promote working
together instead of competing. Cooperative games promote self-esteem, team work, and problem
solving. Children can enjoy playing together without the worry of competing.

Need for the Program
Our library is full of children and their families, especially in the summer. This summer the Summer
Reading Challenge theme is On Your Mark, Get SetREAD! Having a Cooperative Games program will
tie into this theme nicely. One of the goals of the Common Core State Standards is to develop skills like
problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. During the school year children face
competition in school and on the sports fields after school. In an article by Suzanne Lyons, owner of
CooperativeGames.com, she says that cooperative games are fun because players enjoy each other as
they share ideas and make decisions together. She also says that players learn beneficial relationship
skills that can help them with teamwork and collaborating with others in the real world. Children learn
that cooperation is beneficial to achieve goals and accomplish tasks and also its fun and makes us feel
good. Too much competition can lead to stress, anxiety, decreased productivity and
Depression. Its healthy to take a break and play some cooperative games.

Potential Partners
Harford County Boys and Girls Club
The Aberdeen location of the Harford County Boys and Girls Club hosts a large number of school aged
children during the summer. Their mission is To enable all young people, especially those who need us
most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Partnering with them
would provide access to school age children who could learn the value of cooperation and have fun
attending this Cooperative Games program.
Trinise Jones Summer Day Camp- Inner County Outreach
The Trinise Jones Summer Day Camp reaches out to all youth, especially those at-risk. They provide an
affordable program for children ages 4-15 who need assistance with day care during the summer. They
offer both educational opportunities as well as, exposure to creative activities. Partnering with this
organization would also give access to school age children who could learn the value of cooperation and
have fun attending this program.

Library Mission
Cooperative Games support the HCPLs core organizational values including the value of partnerships
and engaging and strengthening the community.
References
Lyons, Suzanne. "CooperativeGames.com." Cooperative Games. Cooperative Games, 2015. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

"Harford County Public Schools." Harford County Public Schools. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.
"Trinise Jones Summer Day Camp | Inner County Outreach." Trinise Jones Summer Day Camp | Inner County
Outreach. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.
"Responsive Classroom." Home. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.
"6 Awesome Cooperative Classroom Games." TeachHUB. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.

2015 Fall LATI Dianne Dacey Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Janine M. Lis
Harford County Public Library
(o) 410 273 5600 x2256 (m) 443 252 0623
lis@hcplonline.org
HCPLonline.org

COOPERATIVE GAMES AT THE ABERDEEN LIBRARY THIS SUMMER

(Belcamp, Maryland June 30, 2016 Harford County Public Library is pleased to
announce Cooperative Games coming to the Aberdeen Branch this summer. Cooperative
Games is a program that teaches children important problem solving and team building
skills while they are playing games and having fun! Games are designed for kindergarten
through 5th grade.
For more information please contact the Aberdeen Library or go to HCPLonline.org.
Harford County Public Library operates eleven branches located throughout Harford County,
Maryland. The Library serves over 181,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an
annual circulation of over 3.8 million. Harford County Public Library is committed to
connecting people with information and promoting the love of reading within the
community.
###

Social Media
Photos of children working together and enjoying the games during the program will be posted on
Facebook.