Through a partnership between Renton-based Wizards of the Coast and the Office of the Secretary of State, a donation of 75 Dungeons & Dragons Library Kits will ensure that every library system and institutional library in Washington can obtain a free gaming kit for use by community members.

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and the tabletop and digital gaming company Wizards of the Coast announced the donation with their Head of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Dan Rawson on March 7. The games will be available to library systems statewide from the Washington State Library.

Hobbs will reportedly deliver the program’s first D&D kit on March 21 to Yakima’s Richard E. Ostrander West Valley Community Library as part of a scheduled community visit.

“I have always valued libraries as places of learning and community enrichment,” Secretary Hobbs said. “Dungeons & Dragons is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to come together in a role-playing setting to strategize and build relationships.”

Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game where players can immerse themselves in the world and character of their creation, problem-solve, collaborate with others, and direct the story themselves. The Library Kits donated by Wizards of the Coast include the D&D Starter Set, ready-to-play character sheets, a demo adventure, organizer instructions, a learn-to-play guide for Dungeon Masters, and promotional materials including a library poster and flyers for players.

More free resources such as rules, maps, introductory adventures, and character creation tools for teachers, librarians, educators, and all fans can be found online at D&D Beyond.

“D&D has been inspiring imaginations and friendships for 50 years,” said Rawson, the Wizards of the Coast Senior Vice President of D&D and Role-Playing Games. “We’re excited to support D&D play everywhere and hope this donation inspires more adventurers to join the party.”

Wizards of the Coast, a division of Hasbro, is a Renton-based company best-known for Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and Duel Masters.

The Washington State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services will provide the kits free to public, tribal, and community college libraries that apply for a non-competitive “Tabletop Role-Playing Games For All” Mini-Grant and Innovation Grant program. Applications are due by April 1.

“The library is a place where anyone can learn, explore, and connect,” said Yakima Valley Libraries Community Library Supervisor Rebekah Sopher. “D&D allows people to express their creativity, connect with people of diverse backgrounds, and improve their social and critical thinking skills, all while going on adventures and fighting dragons.”