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Murder Mystery Month
Programing Event
Public library
By: Hannah Drum
July 22, 2012
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Description of Library Community
For this project I decided to use a library that I have become well acquainted with this
past summer, the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library (KCE). I have been working
with them on their summer reading program and I have worked to arrange my literacy event to
fit the space and patrons of this particular library. The KCE is known to be one of the most
popular libraries in the Greensboro area, last year they had the highest circulation status in the
county. The KCE is located in Pine park, this is especially relevant as KCE is considered to be
the Environmental library, offering programs targeted to teach kids about their environment and
even having a privet collection of juvenile and children books dedicated to environmental issues,
awareness, and understanding.
The area around KCE is that of middle to upper-middle class homes and several schools
and daycares. Though the KCE is used by a variety of patrons I have noticed over the summer
that it gets the most recognition and use from children and their parents. The library offers daily
story time, at several different times. Which are highly attended by parents and children, usually
around twenty or thirty per time slot. While the summer reading program is simply astounding,
with at least one program every week, ranging from small events, magic shows and full blown
outdoor festivals. I recall that at one program we had over 300 children attending with their
parents.
The relationship with the teens however is not quite as amazing, though I did notice that
the library had a lot of high school age volunteers that would come in during the day there were
not a lot of patrons who were teens. This is one of the things that inspired me to have my event
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be focused on the young adult population. The hope was that by sponsoring an event that
focused entirely on them I could pull them back into the library.
Overall Literacy Event Plan
The goal of my literacy program was to get teens interested in the library, and what could
be more attention grabbing than a good mystery? So I decided to host a month long mystery
event at the public library in an effort to not only interest teens in actually coming to the library
but also learning how it works. The idea was to host a variety of events revolving around a
mystery theme to draw teens into the library; I included movies, murder mystery dinners, and
even a treasure/clue hunt throughout the library.
The purpose of most of these events was to lend the library a welcoming, and slightly
mysterious feeling, this was helped by the fact that some of the programs are even held after
hours. I also wanted to introduce teens to the mystery genre, so I developed a mystery novel
slumber-party, where the teens could come (in pj’s) and read some of their favorite mystery
stories out loud. To take this idea a step further I incorporated a mystery short story writing
contest. This allows the teens to become more actively involved in the mystery genre, and
encourages creativity and self-expression.
The final aspect of my event is to be a month long clue hunts throughout the library, each
of the participates will be given a starting clue when they sign up. This will lead them to
different clues located around the library and eventually to the final mystery. I was actually very
lucky during my planning of this event because I discovered a book called Hosting a Library
Mystery: A Programming Guide by Elizabeth M. Karle. This book details several different
programing events that revolve around mysteries and offers full examples on the types of clues
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to be given and how to handle the program in general. It was from this book that I got the idea
for the clue hunt in the library and I will probably be using either her clues or similar ones in my
own program.
I will admit it was actually rather hard to find resources that had done research into this
area of programing, though I had Karle’s book it was more of a “how to” guide than academic
research on the matter. I was able to find an article by Kristine Kahbohm, Michelle Dubaj and
David Schoen that detailed a similar set of programs hosted at the academic level. They created
the programs as a way of encouraging incoming freshman to explore and understand the library
in a way other than the traditional tour. They noted that many students enjoyed being able to
explore the library at their leisure, and the added bonus of solving a mystery only seemed to
encourage them. It also had the advantage of allowing the students to opportunity to use all the
different sections of the library and their resources while searching for clues rather than simply
having these sections explained.
This type of event offers a freedom that few library programs can, it gives the participants
time to work through each section on their own, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. It
encourages them to use all the resources at the libraries disposal and gets students familiarized
with what these resources are an how they work. Though there is not a research done yet to
validate this type of program I do believe that it is a theme that will work with children of all
ages on many different levels to help them better understand and appreciate their libraries.
Literacy Event Plan
Because my event runs through an entire month, and relies on both library resources and
outside resources I would optimally begin planning out the events in detail at least a month if not
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two in advance. Since Booklist recognizes May as Mystery Month, I would then begin planning
and preparing for this month long event sometime in March. I would hopefully already have a
teen committee set up to help plan events, if not I would ask regular patrons and volunteers to sit
on this committee. I would like to have the first meeting of the committee discussing the Mystery
Month to meet during the first week of March to discuss the layout I have chosen for the
programs. I would have them vote on the types of prizes to be offered to the winners, I would
also present them with a variety of Murder Mystery scenarios to choose from. I would take an
opinion poll of all their favorite places to eat and even have them help decide on the types of
clues to use in the month long clue hunt around the library. I might even request they be
responsible for updating the posters and fliers at their respective schools.
Before the middle of March I would have finished ordering the individual prizes needed
for the events, as well as the Mystery game boxes, giving them plenty of time to be packed and
shipped to the library. I spend most of March working on fliers, posters; signs and even
designing an advertisement to appear in both the local papers and possibly even in school papers
if available.
By the beginning of April I would start handing out and posting the fliers for May
Mystery Month, in the library, local school system, and even local teen hangouts. I would also
begin running an advertisement in the local paper halfway through April, detailing the types of
programs, their dates and times. Also at this point I would have a flier and poster focused solely
on the first program in my event. Because several of my programs are dependent on signups I
would take this time to create a display for both the Mystery Short Story competition and the two
Murder Mystery Dinners I will be hosting. I would also set up individual signup sheets for each
of these events.
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Finally I would begin making the arrangements for the catering of all different programs,
ensuring that the restaurants I have chosen to cater have plenty of time to prepare for the event.
Most places requires a 5 day minimum for catering orders by beginning this process in April I
have successfully met that requirement and even ensured that I am probably the first customer on
their list for that particular month. By the last week in April I would like to have most if not all
of the fliers for all of my events designed if not already printed up with specific details and time
frames.
The schedule for the actual month will be divided up into weeks, there are around five
weeks in May, I plan on having a different program each week. Beginning with Wednesday,
May first, with the kick off Mystery Novel Slumber-party, this particular program will run about
an hour or hour and a half, ending around the time the library closes. The next morning I will
start the advertising for the next event; handing out fliers, putting up new posters in the library
and at the local schools. Because I do have a program that runs throughout the entire month, a set
of puzzles and clues throughout the library, I will have a station set up where participants can ask
questions.
The next week kicks off a movie and game night, again on Wednesday, and running later
in the evening. Again the next day the fliers would change again, this time there would also be a
more fliers to sign up for the upcoming Mystery Dinner. This event will be held on Friday
evening, around 6pm, after the library has closed to allow the participants free use of the library
without disturbing other patrons.
The fliers for the next event will be put out on Saturday morning, because the program following
this last mystery diner is on the next Wednesday its fliers will make an appearance during the
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week as well. The next mystery dinner will follow the same pattern, occurring in the evening on
Friday though this one will begin at 7pm, as the participants are a little older. As I said the final
event will be held on the last Wednesday in May, again it will take place about two hours before
closing, including a movie, dinner and awards. Hopefully it will wrap up around the time the
library s closing.
Program Details
Mystery Novel Slumber-party: Wednesday, May 1st, at 7 p.m., Kathleen Clay Edwards Library,
Ages 12-17, Estimated 15-20 teens.
Since this is the first program of the month I decided it should be more focused on the
types of mystery that the teens attending like. Because of this I have decided that those
participating can bring and read from their favorite mystery novels, and if they don’t have one on
hand then there will be plenty available. The slumber-party theme defines the possible clothing
and all around feel of the program. The teens will be allowed to wear their pj’s (if appropriate),
they can even bring their sleeping bags. This will also be the meeting where the other events of
Mystery Month will be presented, including the Mystery short story contest with an opening of
admissions.
Because I wanted to keep the beginning program relaxed and inviting for teens of all
ages, I have decided that the reading and explanation of the other programs will be the only real
activities of the night. There will be food available for the teens, an assortment of fresh fruit and
dip along with a desert tray from Whole foods. The entire program will probably only last an
hour, maybe two, ending around the time the library is beginning to close. Most of the publicity
for this program was done via fliers, posters and advertisements in the local paper.
Month long activities
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The participants will have till May 25, to complete and turn in a Mystery Short story to
the library, after which it will be judged by a committee and a librarian to pick a winner. Also the
month long Clue hunt around the library will begin with participants picking up their first clue at
the event. The Clue hunt will go until the very last day of the event, where the winner will be
announced. The contestants will be given a beginning clue which will lead them to a new part of
the library containing another clue. The first person to find the all the answers and solve the final
mystery will be declared Master Sleuth.
Get a Clue: Movie and Game night- Wednesday, May 8th, at 7pm. Location: Kathleen Clay
Edwards Library, Ages 12-17, Estimated 10-20 patrons.
This program is a little more involved and upbeat than the first one, it starts with a
showing of Clue, the movie. About half way through the movie, once the body (or bodies) has
been discovered, there will be a brief pause for pizza and the game of the evening. Each
participant will be given a “theory card” where they will write down who they think the
murderer, and what they used as the murder weapon. There will also be a section at the bottom to
write a review at the end of the night that can be torn off and turned in later. After they have
filled everything out, turned it in to the librarian and grab themselves a slice of delicious pizza,
the movie will commence. After the movie is over the winner or winners will be announced and
given their prize, those that attend will also be given an extra clue for their hunt. The program
will be advertised through fliers, posters and local newspapers.
Murder Mystery Dinner
A Killer Reunion: Friday, May 17th, at 6pm. Location: Kathleen Clay Edwards Library, Age 1216, estimated 15-20 teens.
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Murder at the Four Duces: Friday, May 21st, 7pm. Location: Kathleen Clay Edwards Library,
Age 13-17, estimated 15-20 teens.
Both of these events are going to work the same way, they are just set up for slightly
different age ranges. These two events are both based around a Murder Mystery kit that comes
complete with character backgrounds, clue sheets, weapon cards and even life size murder clues.
Because these programs are based around a kit, there is a lot less stress on the librarian to create
the situations. As such they have very similar construction, I even made sure that the food
ordered for each would be the same.
The librarians job is that of a host, and for the most part the participants are left to talk
and find the killer on their own with little help from their host. For the most part I would
introduce the game, make sure all the “characters” where present for the game and that they
understood the rules; also making sure everyone was made aware of the food. After the game
had been completed and the murder(s) found, the winners would be announced, the kit has a list
of how to decided winners, such as best dressed, best detective, etc. After the game was one I
would pass out slips of paper to ask people’s opinions on how the game went. Again at the end
of the night I would be sure to pass out another clue to the clue hunt.
Final Mystery Blow Out: Wednesday, May 29, at 6pm. Location Kathleen Clay Library. Ages
12-17, Estimated 20-30.
As the final event it will again be kind of relaxed, there will be pizza, soda and snack
food available and there will be an announcement of winners, the Master Slueth, as well as the
winner of the Mystery Short Story contest. The wining story will be read aloud to the entire
group by either the author or a librarian. The night will end with a viewing of the Sherlock
Holmes movie.
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Budget
Prizes
Ipads
Deer Stalker hat
Magnifying Glass
White Cat by Holly Black
Red Glove by Holly Black
Black Heart by Holly Black
Miss Peregrine's Home for.. By Ransom Riggs
Sherlock Holmes complete works.
Sherlock Holmes Movie
Clue DVD
Clue board game
38 clues book one
39 clues book two
39 clues book three
$25 Visa Gift Cards
$15 Visa Gift Cards
Price
#
$ 421.00
$ 12.83
$
6.88
$
8.99
$ 12.29
$ 10.98
$ 12.25
$ 18.00
$
9.96
$
4.99
$ 34.47
$
8.39
$
9.69
$ 10.48
$ 25.00
$ 15.00
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
6
Supplies
Murder Mystery Dinne Kits
Advertisement in local Paper a day
$ 40.00
$ 321.60
2 $
3 $
Catering
Pizza Hut Pizzas
Zoe's Sandwich and Desert platter
Whole Foods Fruit &Desert platter
Pizza Hut Pizzas
Soda, 24 pack, variaty
$ 10.70
$ 159.80
$ 119.80
$ 10.70
$
5.49
Grand Total:
$ 2,895.30





10
2
1
10
10
Total:
$ 842.00
$
12.83
$
6.88
$
8.99
$
12.29
$
10.98
$
12.25
$
18.00
$
9.96
$
4.99
$
34.47
$
8.39
$
9.69
$
10.48
$
50.00
$
90.00
$
$
$
$
$
80.00
964.80
107.00
319.60
119.80
107.00
54.90
Clue winner: Clue dvd and special edition wooden box Clue board game
Murder Mystery Killer Reunion: Master Sleuth- $25 visa gift card and three 39 Clues
books
Best Costume/Best performer/ Wealthiest player: $15 visa gift card each
Murder Mystery Murder at the Four Duce’s: Master Sleuth- $25 visa gift card and Holly
Black books
Best Costume/Best Performer/Wealthiest Player: $15 visa gift card each
Mystery Short Story Winner: Ipad, Sherlock Holmes book, and Ransom Riggs book. As
well as having their story printed and posted throughout the library for all to read.
Master Sleuth of the Month: Ipad, Sherlock Holmes dvd, Sherlock Holmes book, deer
stalker, and magnifying glass.
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Bibliography
Karle, Elizabeth M. Hosting a Library Mystery: A Programming Guide. Chicago: American
Library Association, 2009. Print.
Kasbohm, Kristine, David Schoen, and Michelle Dubaj. "Launching the Library Mystery Tour a
Library Component for the 'first-Year Experience'." College & Undergraduate Libraries. 13.2
(2006): 35-46. Print
Dinner and Murder. July 16, 2012 < http://www.dinnerandamurder.com/>