September 25, 2008 (Charlotte, NC) – Teen video gamers from around the Charlotte area will have the chance to test their toughness on the digital gridiron during the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County’s Madden ’09 Tournament, beginning Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. Players will have the chance to take home prizes, including the grand prize – a $50 gift certificate to a local video game retailer.

The tournament will pit players at eight Library locations against each other as they prove their skills at the popular football simulator for the Xbox 360 video game console. Prizes will be awarded to the top two winners at each branch, and snacks will be served. The first-place winner of each branch tournament will advance to the championship round.

Times and locations for the tournament are:
• Thursday, Oct. 2, 6 to 8 p.m., Independence Regional, 6000 Conference Drive, (704) 416-4800
• Saturday, Oct. 4, 12 to 4 p.m., Morrison Regional, 7015 Morrison Blvd., (704) 416-5400
• Thursday, Oct. 9, 5 to 8 p.m., Beatties Ford Rd., 2412 Beatties Ford Rd., (704) 416-3000
• Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1 to 4 p.m., South County Regional, 5801 Rea Rd., (704) 416-6640
• Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1 to 4 p.m., Mint Hill, 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd., (704) 416-5221
• Monday, Nov. 10, 3 to 7 p.m., Freedom Regional, 1230 Alleghany St., (704) 416-4221
• Saturday, Nov. 15, 12 to 4 p.m., Main Library, 310 North Tryon St., (704) 416-5200
• Saturday, Nov. 15, 1 to 5 p.m., Matthews, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews, (704) 416-5000

The tournament finals will be Saturday, Nov. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the auditorium of the Main Library. The winner of the championship round will claim the $50 gift certificate.

Registration is required to participate in the tournament, and space is limited. Interested teenagers should contact the location at which they’d like to play to register or for more information. Please note that registering for the tournament at one location applies to that location only, not to all of the eight tournament locations.