It began with a blood-curdling scream and the statement “Adam is dead…someone has murdered him!” Stoxen Library held a “Murder in the Library” on Friday, April 11, 2008 as the kick-off for Library Week.
We had ten teams of six people each. We used the names from the Clue game and added a few of our own: Colonel Mustard, Mr. Green, Mrs. White, Officer Peach, Instructor Mint, Librarian Azure, Reporter Pink, Detective Rusty, Professor Plum and Miss Scarlet. We then used the colors of each team when we photocopied their clues. We placed the picture of the murderer on the back side of the clues and then cut the clues apart like a puzzle. When each team had collected all of their clues, they then put their puzzle together to solve the crime. We had both the picture of her face and the murderer’s name on the sheet.
Each team had thirteen clues/activities to complete in order to solve the crime including finding a book via ODIN, locating a DVD/video, using various library databases, checking out a reserve item and stopping at the Academic Success Center. In some cases, their next clue was hidden inside something (book, periodical, DVD) and in some cases they reported to “clue stations” to prove they had the necessary information to receive their next clue.
Participants were instructed to bring their flashlights as only a few “necessary” lights were on. They seemed to enjoy the atmosphere of a darkened library and there was a goodly amount of screaming as unsuspecting individuals were grabbed in the stacks or from under a computer. Once the event was underway, there always seemed to be a team running to their next clue.
Prizes were awarded for the top three teams and everyone who participated received a free drink from the coffee bar, an ID holder, certificate of attendance and a set of “Blue Hawk pride” beads.
One of our speech/theater professors (Don Ehli) taped a DVD as Dr. Watson with a clue and then attended the event in costume.
Students really seemed to enjoy the event and are already asking when we will do it again. Several expressed how much fun it was to use the library in this fashion. Some said they enjoyed finding out about resources they had never used before.
The complete slide show of the photos can be seen via the link in the left hand column of this blog.
