31 Days of Horror: Day 12-- Local Libraries Celebrating the Spooky Season

One of the great things about October at the Library is that many libraries provide Horror programming. Below are 3 completely different options from different places around the country and one (the final one) is available for anyone with an internet connection to participate. 

The point of this post is to showcase three library examples as either an inspiration for you to try something similar at your library next year and to inspire you to check out libraries near you to see if they are doing something.

If you follow the main blog, you will know that I was at the Illinois Library Association Conference most of this past week, and one of the things I learned there is about how to find programming ideas and presenters. The advice was simple. Search your area for ideas on what kind of programs there are doing, or, if you have an idea and need presenters, search for your specific topic and either go to those programs yourself to see how they are, or if they are past, ask the library how it went and for the presenters' contact info. [Thank you Miss Rosie for the learning]

All of this is to say that the 3 people I have included below, all of them, I have worked with and encourage you to contact them for advice and ideas for your Spooky Seasons to come.

We will start with the biggest event, organized by my co-chair for the HWA Library Committee, Konrad Stump-- Oh, the Horror! Now in it's 8th year. From Konrad:

The Springfield-Greene County Library in Springfield, MO, is celebrating its 8th annual Oh, the Horror! series this year. Started in 2017 by HWA Library Committee Co-Chair Konrad Stump and Katie Hopkins, Springfield-Greene's Planning & Development Librarian, Oh, the Horror! is a month-long celebration of the horror genre each October with author events, local history programs, movie screenings, and more. Centering on themes like "Ghosts & Gothics" and "Myths & Monsters" in past years with celebrated authors like Grady Hendrix, Silvia Moreno Garcia, Alma Katsu, and many more, this year's Oh, the Horror! series celebrates "Horror for the Holidays" with a jam-packed line-up that runs through November with appearances by USA Today bestselling (and Summer Scares 2024) author Rachel Harrison and New York Times bestselling author Jennifer McMahon. With October dedicated to Halloween and November to Yuletide terrors, Springfield-Greene will be extending the terrifying fun into December with a special "Ghost Stories for Christmas" live performance by award-winning voice actor and audiobook narrator Matt Godfrey. Providing a space for horror fans in the Greene County community to celebrate the genre, while also creating discussion about the appeal of horror to those who are not sure it is for them, Oh, the Horror! has proven to be Springfield-Greene's most popular program series.

Here are the graphics with Oh, the Horror details: 

They have a trivia fundraiser tonight and visits from Rachel Harrison and Jennifer McMahon (both authors are appearing in my book as well). And look at these SoThirsty drink kits of the first place trivia team.

Now Konrad's program took years to build into the regional must attend event it has become. But you don't have to go all out to make an impact. 

The Chicago Chapter of the HWA is presenting an event today for the Fox River Valley Libraries entitled-- Meet Your Not-So-Scary Local Horror Author"

Join us for an afternoon hanging out with several prominent horror authors from the northern Illinois area. Hear our panel discuss the horror genre and various part of the writing and publishing process. 

Books will be available for purchase and signing. In collaboration with the Horror Writers Association.

Authors appearing:

• S.A. Barnes
• Donald J. Bingle
• Lauren Bolger
• John Everson
• Christopher Hawkins
• James Kennedy
• Brian Pinkerton
• Michael Allen Rose
• Damian Serbu

Click here or on the flyer to register.

 

Now these are all in person, but I have that promised event that is virtual and free for any and all-- you can even pass it on to your patrons.

It is a Zoom presentation on the History of Halloween with author and Halloween expert, Lisa Morton. You can click here for more details and to register. 

It is being put on by the Wake County Libraries in NC. Regular readers of 31 Days may remember that I helped Wake County Libraries organize an entire month of programming last year. It was entitled Nightmares Not Included and you can still visit the LibGuide they made to go along with it.

I have seen Morton's presentation before. It is excellent and you have time to resigner because it isn't until 10/28. Let your patrons know as well. I was told by the organizer to spread it far and wide. The more the merrier, no matter where you live. 

So there you have it. A sampling of programming for Spooky Season by 3 libraries who approach October in different ways for their different audiences. I hope this inspires you to check out a library near you to see their programming options this October and/or to think about organizing an event at your library next year.

Remember, the HWA's Library Committee is here to help connect you to your local horror communities. Simply email libraries@horror.org to get in touch with me and Konrad (and our team on the Library Advisory Council). We are ready and eager to help get more Horror programming and authors into our libraries. 

Back tomorrow with my weekly links round-up.