APLA Conference 2022

In the Fall of 2021, the PEI Public Library Service started a virtual program that would engage
teens within a safe environment, embracing inclusion and diversity. Teen attendance
suffers when a program is viewed as ‘uncool’, when social anxiety is acute, or when a safe space
is not provided. A Dungeons and Dragons program has been the key to solving all these hurdles.
Advertised as a weekly, one-hour session, teens help create and participate in their very own
role-playing adventure, with no previous experience needed. With a budget of $0, this popular
program has seen a diverse group of teens come together and have fun, strengthening both
their problem-solving skills and social literacy. The program has already seen growth in the
number of sessions, fostered collaboration with outside organizations, and adaptations to other
settings. The program is easily adaptable for online and in-person settings, different
environments, age groups, and styles, opening new possibilities for collaboration and library
engagement across a diverse community.

Participants will learn how a Dungeons and Dragons library program can spark long-lasting
engagement in a diverse teen community, and how they can start their own Dungeons and
Dragons adventure.