The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)—divisions of the American Library Association—have partnered with The Pokémon Company International to bring Pokémon Clubs to libraries across the United States.
Designed for children ages 5–14, Pokémon Club is a structured program within the Play! Pokémon ecosystem where club members can learn, play, and connect through the Pokémon Trading Card Game and other activities designed for their age range. Pokémon Clubs are inclusive and welcoming to all young players, regardless of their skill level or familiarity with Pokémon. It is not intended to be competitive; Pokémon Club is a space exclusively for casual play and learning.
Through this partnership, AASL and ALSC are providing its members in the United States, Canada, or U.S. military schools with Pokémon Club kits to run Pokémon Clubs for their communities at their school and public libraries. These kits include materials, resources, activities, and prizes for participating children ages 5-14.
The clubs are already winning over library goers.
The Pokémon Club at White Center Library (WCL) in Seattle, a part of King County Library District, has been embraced by patrons of all ages for the fun gameplay and educational components.
“The kids are really enjoying working together on Raid Battles,” said Destinee Sutton, a WCL children’s librarian. “The parents are impressed that there is so much math involved with damage counters. The math skill we see the kids using (besides addition) is regrouping. They trade out little damage counters for big damage counters. For example, when they have enough 10s, 50s, and 100s to make 500 or 1,000 they get really excited.”
The Pokémon Club library program has been so successful that AASL President Amanda Kordeliski awarded a Presidential Commendation to The Pokémon Company International for its dedication to inspiring literacy, creativity, and lifelong learning at the 2026 ALA Annual Conference. The AASL Presidential Commendation recognizes organizations whose work meaningfully advances the mission of school libraries.
“Through the Pokémon Club program, The Pokémon Company International has demonstrated how play, literacy, creativity, and community can come together to create welcoming spaces where every student has an opportunity to connect, learn, and belong,” said Kordeliski. “This partnership has empowered school librarians to engage new audiences and inspire a lifelong love of learning.”
Are you interested in hosting a Pokémon Club at your library? If you are a parent/guardian or school volunteer, please work with a librarian at your local school or public library to facilitate a Pokémon Club in concert with their staff. Pokémon Clubs are available to AASL and ALSC members in both school libraries and public libraries, ensuring that children from all backgrounds and communities have access to these clubs. AASL and ALSC members interested in starting a Pokémon Club can visit ala.org/pokemon for more information and to submit an application.
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Photo: A Pokémon raid battle at the White Center Library (WCL) Pokémon Club, courtesy of WCL.
