JARRETT GOODMAN

Staff Writer

Carolyn Stewart Public Library in Jasper has recently introduced a brand-new activity in the form of Mahjong, a Chinese tile game first established in the 19^th century.

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, residents visited the library to try out the newly introduced activity, with long time veterans of the game on hand to guide players on the various rules and goals of the tile-based game. June Collins, a Marion County resident, was among the instructors who helped demonstrate the rules of the game. She explained that she has been a Mahjong player since 2009, being introduced to the game by a friend from nearby Chattanooga.

Collins explained the game functions similarly like a card game, requiring four players to utilize dice etched with various symbols and objects from Chinese culture. During each round, participants are to play and attempt to match a specific “hand” with the dice given to them. Whoever manages to match the given set of dice each hand requires shouts out “Mahjong”, verbally cementing their victory within the game.

“Nowadays, it seems like other groups are involved in playing,” said Collins. “It’s not culturally congregated into a specific group. It’s other groups too.”

Library Director Ann Gray noted the game will be part of the library’s outreach program, and the game is being planned to be publicly hosted every two weeks of each month. She explained that currently, each session of Mahjong will contain two tables for eight players total to use. However, a third table will be set up if there was a need to accommodate potential growth.

Gray felt introducing the game into the community would help integrate a new activity for residents to enjoy, all the while attract newcomers into the library and the services it provides.

“It helps bring people to the library that’s not normally our audience who have not been here before,” said Gray. “It also provides community space, meetings, and games that we don’t have any place else to do in Jasper. So it comes as a crossroads for people coming and going who haven’t been here before, and that we can tell them more about the library.”

For questions regarding Mahjong at the library, contact Carolyn Stewart Public Library at (423) 942-3369.