Escape Rooms and Other Immersive Experiences in the Library

According to Kroski (director of information technology, New York Law Inst.; Law Librarianship in the Digital Age), escape rooms, in which players solve puzzles to unlock a closed space, and immersive experiences are not only popular pastimes—they also offer exciting new ways to engage library patrons, improve information literacy and critical thinking skills, provide STEM learning opportunities, and promote the library. The author draws a distinction between escape rooms and more casual immersive experiences such as interactive exhibits. Costs range from free to $150, making these options suitable for a variety of budgets. The guide contains several examples of escape rooms at public and academic libraries, instructions on how to create one from scratch, tips on hosting an event, and ways to use these activities as team-building exercises for staffers. Lifelong gamer Kroski's enthusiasm is palpable, and her writing is entertaining and informative.