Hosting a Library Mystery: A Programming Guide

ALA Member
$41.40
Price
$46.00
Item Number
978-0-8389-0986-7
Published
2009
Publisher
ALA Editions
Pages
120
Width
6"
Height
9"
Format
Softcover
AP Categories
A
C
E
I

Primary tabs

You don't need to be an ALA Member to purchase from the ALA Store, but you'll be asked to create an online account/profile during the checkout to proceed. This Web Account is for both Members and non-Members. 

If you are Tax-Exempt, please verify that your account is currently set up as exempt before placing your order, as our new fulfillment center will need current documentation. Learn how to verify here.

  • Description
  • Table of Contents
  • About the author
  • Reviews

Whether it's solving the morning crossword puzzle, working out whodunit in a best-selling thriller, or participating in the library's mystery book club, everyone loves a mystery! In Hosting a Library Mystery, Elizabeth Karle capitalizes on our delight of the genre through this unique, interactive programming guide. Karle's innovative and interactive ideas will coax children on a quest to learn about pirates, college students to uncover the research tools needed for class, or new patrons to discover the riches of the library's collection.

Hosting a Library Mystery contains five example mystery scripts, each targeted to a different audience, but all original, expertly created, and thoroughly researched. These scripts serve as an excellent starting point for you to acquaint users with a wide variety of your library services as well as library personnel, special collections, and research skills. In addition, this book provides

  • Complete instructions for program planning, from how to write clues to organizing the investigation
  • Hints for adapting scripts to fit particular situation
  • Examples and extras to construct an entertaining event in which all kinds of patrons can engage in active learning

With a one-of-a-kind book filled with creative ways to bring the community into the library and give them an incentive to stay, the only mystery will be why Hosting a Library Mystery wasn't in your collection sooner!

Acknowledgments
Introduction

Part I: Writing, Preparing, and Hosting
1. Where to Begin
2. Building the Framework
3. Putting It All Together
4. Adaptations
5. Nuts and Bolts

Part II: Sample Scripts
6. Orientation Tour Script: Stolen Paintings Mystery
7. Discipline-Specific Script: Psychology/Salem Witch Trials Mystery
8. Character-Driven Script: Unfriendly Friends Mystery
9. Deduction Script: Merlin's Minions Mystery
10. Tween Patron Script: Treasure Island Mystery

Resources
Index

Elizabeth M. Karle

Elizabeth M. Karle 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. She is currently the collection management supervisor for the Cushwa-Leighton Library at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana.

"A valuable resource to any event-planning or service-based librarian."
--ARBA Online

"A great tool for librarians looking to explore the idea of library mystery programs as well as professionals who have been hosting them for years."
--VOYA

"There are many things to inspire enthusiasm for the library, such as a good mystery. Hosting a Library Mystery: A Programming Guide is a guide to arranging a library mystery - a puzzle to inspire patrons to use the libraries resources to their fullest. Such events can generate much publicity and yield many other benefits for libraries as well as do much to educate patrons and teach them how to use a library properly. Hosting a Library Mystery is a fine read for libraries who are looking for good ways to bring attention to the library and promote knowledge. ."
--The Midwest Book Review

"The fun sample scripts are adaptable for individual libraries. This complete and enthusiastic guide is recommended for any academic, school, or public library interested in library mystery programming."
--School Library Journal

"Karle's enthusiasm for this type of programming is clearly evident throughout the book."
--Public Libraries

"Our library is scheduled to host our first library mystery in August as part of new student orientation ... I am using Elizabeth Karle's wonderful book as a resource which has been immensely helpful."
--Leslie Starasta, Information Services Librarian, Lincoln Christian University

"It is a handy reference for library staff involved in publicity and outreach as well as those looking to create entertaining active learning events for teaching library skills or introducing special collections or new services. Used as an ideas starter, the range of possibilities is limited only by imagination."
--The Australian Library Journal