Getting spooky at the library
By Chris Simon

Photo by Chris Simon Innisfil Public Library Churchill branch manager Debra Mann, bottom centre, is swarmed by several children during Spookfest celebrations Saturday. The children played games and ate candy.

Sometimes, the library can be a scary place.

That was never more evident than on Saturday. Several children braved the creepy costumes of staff and the dark lighting at the Innisfil Public Library's Churchill and Alcona branches, during annual Spookfest celebrations.

The kids did their best to hide their identities from the unsuspecting librarians, dressing as cats, princesses, soldiers and vampires. Sure, they may have been trying to win a costume contest, but a disguise also helps fend off the watching eyes of staff, who would hound them for overdue book fees.

The kids played games and ate candy. Some even decorated pumpkins, hoping to win prizes.

Eight-year-old Ty said the kids had a load of spooky, scary fun.

"We played some games, searched for pumpkin parts and had our hands tied," he said smiling, dressed in army fatigues, a headband and green makeup.

Among the games, kids wrapped mummies, raced with eyeballs on spoons, and played gravedigger and pin the part on the monster.

They also heard a wicked and scary Halloween story, said Churchill librarian Debra Mann.

"Spookfest is something that's done every year. It's just a fun Halloween party," she said. "We were just having some crazy fun."

The library has held several Halloween events over the last few weeks, including a pumpkin decorating workshop and contest.

While the library should never make kids nervous, the last few days have been part of an annual exception, said Mann.

"Librarians are (still) very nice, but in a scary way," she said. "I don't know if there's really anything scary about libraries. We like to dress them up and make them scary once a year. But we just like them to be a fun place for people to come."

For more library programs and services, visit www.innisfil.library.on.ca.