Though gamification is not new, the rapid adoption of smartphones and the growing mobile web and app universe has made it ubiquitous, social, and seamlessly woven into reality in ways we couldn't have imagined even ten years ago. And it's extremely popular. Gamification, when done right, will engage your library's users, and better yet, help them learn. In this issue of Library Technology Reports, Kim will clarify your understanding of gamification with a range of examples from social causes, education, and libraries. She points out the gaming elements of apps you may have used, like Foursquare or Waze, and explores game mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics. This Report also covers such topics as:

What distinguishes gamification from related concepts such as games, toys, and playful design
How the Canton Public Library used a Drupal website and a "User Badge" module for its summer reading program
North Carolina State University's mobile scavenger hunt
Portland State University's digital badge program certifying critical thinking skills
7 types of knowledge and associated gamification elements
Navigating the debate over external rewards and intrinsic motivation
What makes the Bottle Bank Arcade Game effective in promoting recycling