Board games in Spanish public libraries: Their presence in the collections and their dissemination on Instagram

Abstract

This study examines the presence of board games in Spanish public libraries and their role as a tool for library innovation, cultural engagement, and community participation. To this end, the collections of the 52 State Public Libraries open to the public were analysed through their catalogues, using three board games widely recognised within the library field as reference points: Catán, Cortex Challenge, and Dixit. In addition, an analysis was conducted of Instagram posts related to board games published by Spanish public libraries between January 2023 and May 2026, considering aspects such as publication frequency, content type, reach, and user engagement. The results show that 38.46% of the libraries analysed hold at least one of the selected games, while some libraries possess several titles and, in some cases, multiple copies of the same game. In the field of social media, a significant increase in board game-related initiatives was observed over the last two years. However, user engagement was generally moderate, and difficulties in content retrieval and visibility were identified due to the lack of standardisation in the use of hashtags and other dissemination elements. Overall, the findings demonstrate the gradual consolidation of board games as part of library collections and services, as well as their integration into strategies of innovation and cultural mediation. Their presence contributes to diversifying service provision, fostering participation, and reinforcing the role of the library as a space for social interaction and community building.