The Lenox Library is preparing to strike fear at the Haunted Library event – ​​The Voice

The Jean Waterloo Lenox Township Library is preparing to scare this Halloween season as it is now seeking youth volunteers for its annual Haunted Library event.

“It’s the same as a regular haunted house; “You can’t touch anyone coming through, but you’re trying to scare them,” said youth librarian Casee Talley-Hill.

Harry Potter fans will find many magical and spooky elements at this year’s Haunted Library, which takes place on October 26th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Haunted elements can be found throughout the interior of the library at 58976 Main St. in New Haven.

The Haunted Library is free and open to all ages. No registration is required to participate. Those who attend can walk through the library as often as they like, subject to basic rules of conduct. Before leaving the Haunted Library, visitors can also receive a reward.

Talley-Hill said she first proposed the idea of ​​turning the library into a haunted house over a decade ago.

“We had two award-winning haunted houses in the area. There are several parents coming and I would ask if they would take their children with them. They said it was nice to have them in the area, but they couldn’t afford them. Then the idea came about, why not do something to get the children in the community to visit a free haunted house? Sometimes it’s the only one they can go to,” Talley-Hill said.

Although the Haunted Library is located exclusively inside the library building this year, Talley-Hill hopes to potentially expand it outside in future years and include more volunteer actors.

A theme loosely based on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was chosen for this year’s Haunted Library because Harry Potter materials remain popular library items, Talley-Hill said.

Customers can choose the level of horror they would like to experience by speaking to library staff upon entry.

“We had people come in that really wanted to be scared, and we’re doing our best to really scare them,” Casee Talley-Hill said.

Families with children under 7 looking for some low-level spooky fun are asked to come to the event early in the evening as the library has more natural light at this time. Talley-Hill said her daughter, Madison DeSheles, will also help by accompanying some of the families with young children around the area with a flashlight.

Youth volunteers in grades 6-12 can earn hours of community service that they may need for club, class or high school graduation by volunteering at the Haunted Library. The actors provide their own costumes. Limited makeup and accessories are available in the library. Talley-Hill said volunteers are asked to wear something that fits well with the idea of ​​the theme or dark clothing.

Volunteers will be participating on October 26th from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and can come earlier in the day if they would like to help set up. Additionally, volunteer hours are available for youth to help clean up the event on October 27th. Youth interested in registering as volunteers for the Haunted Library can contact Talley-Hill at 586-749-3430 or [email protected] Oct. 21. Places are limited.

Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for The Voice.