This fall, children ages 8 and up are invited to grab their personal devices and head to the Cazenovia Public Library for “Minecraft Meetups.” In these weekly sessions, local Minecraft enthusiasts will have the chance to gather together, meet new friends, discuss strategy and enjoy an afternoon of collective fun. The first Thursday meet-up will be at 3 p.m. Sept. 15, in the community room.

Since its release in 2009, Minecraft has become a global sensation. Rated E for everyone, this award-winning game is available on multiple platforms, including computers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox and PlayStation. Players are dropped into a randomly generated world where they dig up (mine) three-dimensional blocks to build (craft) different tools and structures.

Minecraft is described as a “sandbox game,” in which players create their own gaming experience by exploring, interacting with, and modifying a virtual landscape. There are no stated objectives nor is there a set path that players must follow. Thus, the game allows for an unprecedented level of freedom, permitting players to explore, discover and create without the constraints of rules or the pressure of competition.

Minecraft has two major game modes. In creative mode, players are given access to an unlimited supply of blocks to create anything and everything they can imagine. In survival mode, users are responsible for procuring resources themselves and for keeping their characters alive, using problem-solving and decision-making skills to deal with hunger, enemies, and other threats.

Minecraft has established a following of dedicated young builders and adventurers. Meet-ups provide the opportunity for players to connect in a safe and collaborative environment. Such gatherings encourage children to engage in a group setting, socialize with their peers and work as part of a team, all while developing critical thinking and technology-related skills.

All events at the Cazenovia Public Library are free and open to the public.

For more information on this and other Library events, call 655-9322 or visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.