The struggle to catch ‘em all is real! The latest cultural phenomenon has made its ways to the Library, and we’re excited to offer up a number of PokeStops and Gyms as we share in this entertaining venture with you.

For those who haven’t caught on, Pokemon Go is a new augmented reality gaming app and it’s literally taking over the world. Released on July 6, Pokemon Go already has over 21 million daily users and players are spending more time using the app than they spend on Facebook. Still wondering what this game is all about? Spend a few minutes watching this brief Pokemon Go in a nutshell video:

What’s the point, you may ask? At first glance, it might not seem like a truly productive use of time, but I would argue that is not so. In a time when our world is filled with division, heated political debates, and heartache over senseless violence, this little app has single-handedly brought people of all ages together in a lighthearted and fun atmosphere that encourages real world exploration.

At the Library, we are certainly pleased to see so many new faces coming through our doors. Even after you’ve caught ‘em all, we hope that you’ll stay a while! New to the Library? Our staff is more than happy to help you navigate all that we offer – which you might find is much more than books or Pokestops!

So bring your family, bring your friends – explore our 19 physical locations, drop a few lures, and catch ‘em all! We hope you’ll share your Pokemon Go photos with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. While you’re here, sign up for a library card and brush up on your Pokemon knowledge. We’ve got plenty of materials at the ready: