EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2009-- On November 14, the American Library Association (ALA) is hosting the Second Annual National Gaming Day @ your library with the support of Hasbro, Inc., encouraging communities around the country to visit their local public library and play new Hasbro card games, MONOPOLY DEAL, SCRABBLE SLAM and PICTUREKA. To ensure that library branches throughout the U.S. have the opportunity to read, learn and play at the library on this day, Hasbro has donated more than 50,000 card games, valued at more than $300,000. To find gaming events in your community or for more information on National Gaming Day @ your library please visit http://bit.ly/2ckzLf.

“Hasbro is honored to sponsor the 2009 National Gaming Day to support this American Library Association initiative,” said Matt Collins, Vice President of U.S. Marketing for Hasbro Games. “By donating these card games, Hasbro intends to support libraries as they encourage learning, growth and creating positive memories.”

By inviting communities to play MONOPOLY DEAL, SCRABBLE SLAM AND PICTUREKA on National Gaming Day @ your library, Hasbro and the ALA are helping to raise awareness about the benefits of playing games in libraries and incorporating games into educational programs.

“The American Library Association is pleased to join with Hasbro in showing our dedication to provide opportunities for learning across the country,” said Dr. Camila Alire, President of the American Library Association. “New research shows that gaming and learning go hand-in-hand. Hasbro’s wonderful donation helps libraries offer recreational gaming activities that also build 21^st century literacy skills. National Gaming Day @ your library is one more way that libraries help build a more literate America.”

MONOPOLY DEAL is a new card game based on the classic property trading principles of MONOPOLY. It is easy to learn and takes less than 30 minutes to play, making it a family and library friendly adaptation of one of America’s favorite games. SCRABBLE SLAM is a fast paced card game that borrows elements from the classic crossword game, SCRABBLE. Speed is the name of the game as players race to create four-letter words and get rid of their cards as quickly as possible. PICTUREKA card game is a quick way for families to experience the find-it-fast, find-it-first fun of the board game PICTUREKA, the game featured in last year’s National Gaming Day @ your library. For more information about Hasbro card games, please visit http://www.familygamenight.com.

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com © 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ALA: The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 67,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information. For more information on the American Library Association please visit www.ala.org.

Source: Hasbro, Inc.

Hunter Public Relations
Rebecca Laurien, 212-679-6600, Ext. 222
rlaurien@hunterpr.com
or
Hasbro, Inc.
Pat Riso, 413-526-2307
priso@hasbro.com