Mystery in the Library - A "How To"

The American Library Association announced a new book from ALAPress, “Hosting a Library Mystery: A Programming Guide” by Elizabeth M. Karle. The guide includes five sample mystery scripts for librarians to acquaint different audiences with library services, library personnel, special collections and research skills. Sample scripts:

• Orientation Tour: Stolen Paintings Mystery
• Discipline-Specific: Psychology/Salem Witch Trials Mystery
• Character-Driven: Unfriendly Friends Mystery
• Deduction: Merlin’s Minions Mystery
• Tween Patron: Treasure Island Mystery

The book also provides:

• Instructions for program planning, from how to write clues to organizing the investigation
• Hints for adapting scripts to fit any library’s needs
• Examples and extras to construct an entertaining event in which all patrons can engage in active learning

Elizabeth M. Karle is the collection management supervisor for the Cushwa-Leighton Library at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind. She received a B.A. in business administration and finance from the University of Notre Dame, a paralegal certificate from Roosevelt University and an M.A. in library and information science from Dominican University.