On a dark and stormy October night, a group of travelers find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere after their van breaks down. Fortunately, they realize they are just down the street from a library. The library surely has a phone they can use to call for help.
Entering the library, they are greeted by its librarian, who introduces herself as Elsie. She welcomes them to make themselves at home, but warns that with the stormy weather the power is out and phones aren’t working. A few lanterns throughout barely light the space. The dark library is spooky and Elsie seems nervous and on edge, but with the storm raging, the travelers decide it will be safer to stay.
As the travelers get settled in, muffled whispers seem to fill the air, the temperature in the building seems to drop a few degrees, and the sound of footsteps echo from dark corners where there are clearly no people. They can’t help but wonder if they and Elsie are not alone. Elsie chuckles nervously at their suggestion that the library might be haunted and reveals that her nervous nature comes from a more earthly problem. Elsie is not only the only occupant of the library, but is also the only resident of the town itself. With such a limited tax base, the library is in dire financial straits and is on the verge of closing.
Suddenly the travelers hear the sounds of locks falling into place. The front door won’t open; nor were the windows. It turns out that several of the town’s previous inhabitants (and most voracious library users) have taken up residence in the library. Making themselves visible, the ghosts tell the travelers that they need their assistance. The ghosts reveal that within the library’s safe lay the very thing the library needs to be saved. Unfortunately, the frazzled Elsie cannot remember the safe’s combination. She remembers that she hid clues to help remember the combinations throughout the library. Knowing more heads are better than just one, the ghosts call on the travelers to help Elsie find the combinations so they can unlock the safe. Once the safe is open, the ghosts will set the travelers free.
So, do they find the resources and save the library?
If you want to find out, you’ll have to stop by the library on Saturday, October 21 and participate in our “Escape the Haunted Library” program. There are 3 sessions; one at 11 a.m, one at 1 p.m. and one at 3 p.m. Participants will work together to solve puzzles that will help them find the combinations to open the safe and break out of this terrifying library! The program is open to adults, ages 18 and older. Space is limited and registration is required. Please stop by or call the library at 573-443-3161 to sign-up.
