Pokemon Go Stops In Poughkeepsie

Moreover, the library and Vassar College are co-hosting a Pokémon Go search Wednesday, July 27, on the campus.

The library's program "dovetails nicely with the (libary's) summer reading program theme of "get ready! get set! read!" which aims to educate youths on the importance of athletics, nutrition,and literacy, said library Director Sarah Potwin.

You'd have to be ignoring the media not to know that the July 6 release of Pokémon Go broke records. 

Potwin said the library's social media drew 587 views in 12 hours once she posted information about the kids' Pokémon Go program. Adults and families are playing along, said Potwin.

For the uninitiated, the free mobile app people download to their Apple or Android devices lets them find Pokémon. The characters are often at historic places or landmarks, she explained.

"We have noticed an uptick in WiFi usage at the library (and) foot traffic within the (library)."

Never played? Here's how:

Based on Game Boy of the '90s, the app uses the device's GPS, clock and camera, and feeds off Google Earth's maps to allow the participant to "geocache" any of the Pokemon characters from the stable of 100 characters. This technology maps the location of the user and merges the real world with the imaginary world.

"I just found a Rattata on my desk yesterday as well as a Squirtle in the adult paperback section," Potwin said.

Proponents of the game say it promotes users to "get off the couch and walk around," she pointed out, noting that users need pay attention to "their surroundings and traffic."

By capturing various Pokemon characters, the participant progresses to higher levels. Each PokéStop, such as the library, allows users to collect more Poke balls which are used to capture the characters.

By level 5 , the participant is allowed to use a PokeGym to battle other participants from opposing teams (each team is red, gold or blue).

The nearest LaGrange Poke Gym is located in front of the Presbyterian Church on Freedom Plains/Jon Wagner Way in LaGrange, Potwin said.

The Stops and Gyms are often in public areas, landmarks or historically significant spots. 

"I like the notion that this stops get participants out into their community to look at landmarks that they might not have normally noticed."

There's a Stop at the plaque to Ray Kroc, McDonalds founder at McDonald's in Wappingers Falls, she said.

Participants July 27 should meet at 10 a.m. at the North parking lot, Collegeview Avenue at Vassar College. The campus is home to 15 PokeStops and two PokeGyms.

For more information, click on the library website here.

The library is at 488 Freedom Plains Road (Rt.55), Suite 109, Poughkeepsie.

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