In North Merrick, youngsters come together for Pokémon Day

Dozens of young Pokémon fans gathered at the North Merrick Public Library for a day of card-trading fun on July 19.

The session ties in with the library’s theme for the summer: “Adventure at your library.” The get-together brought children in the community together to share their hobbies and make new friends, said Children’s Librarian Brittany Georgalas.

“This summer, the summer reading theme is called adventure is at your library,” Georgalas said. “We’re inviting children from our community to our library and allowing everybody to get together, celebrate the summer and have a fun time. It’s a big celebration for Pokémon fans, young and old.”

Attendees traded cards, completed a scavenger hunt, and, of course, played a lot of Pokémon. Pokémon is a trading card game with many spinoff videogames and TV series. It is one of the world’s most popular brands, especially among young people and those who grew up following the franchise.

“I think Pokémon is a great way to get everybody together in the community,” Georgalas said. “And it’s great to see everybody smiling and having a good time. All because of this one thing, everybody in the community can come together and really just enjoy themselves, meet new friends, and spark new connections.

“Events like this are offered by your local library,” Georgalas said. “The library is a great outlet that communities have, and I’m happy that I can help contribute to that.”

The library also has a Pokémon club, which was formed after young visitors showed interest in the hobby, and is forming new plans after receiving positive reception. The club members were responsible for coloring in posters, setting up stands and teaching their peers about the game at the July 19 event.

One club member is 12-year-old Ayden Luchsinger of North Merrick. The Pokémon Club began last year when Luchsinger and Georgalas discovered a common interest in the franchise.

“We found out that we like Pokémon, and I just started to go to the library more and more,” Ayden Luchsinger said.

The club inspired him to take an active role in developing the card game community.

“I love the library, I love Pokémon — these are two of the greatest things, the best of both worlds combining,” Luchsinger said. “It feels good that I’m a part of something, and it feels good that I’m helping, and that I’m actually contributing to the Pokémon fan base.”

“He is like a rising Pokémon Trainer in the library’s community,” said Lisa Luchsinger, Ayden’s mother.

Lisa Luchsinger says her son has become the point-person for anything Pokémon related at the library.

“Ayden has always been alongside (Georgalas) with anything Pokémon,” she said. “It’s her passion for being a children’s librarian, and (the) theme of Pokémon, she has been pulling this event together, and Ayden’s been instrumental in helping her with the project.” 

To fellow young people around town, Luchsinger offered this message:

“Go find out if there’s Pokémon at your library — join,” he said. “You’re going to be part of the community.”