Library haunting beckons readers

Monroe Library is calling all witches, ghouls and spooky creatures.

By: Leon Tovey
   MONROE — Calling all witches, ghosts, ghouls and other spooky creatures that go bump in the night: the Public Library will be haunted today (Friday) from 7 to 9 p.m.
   Caroline Etsch, public relations coordinator for the library, said library officials were so impressed with the turnout at last year’s haunting — the first, to which some 500 people showed up — that they decided to make it an annual event.
   Ms. Etsch said the theme of this year’s haunting would once again be "Good Books Gone Bad," with visitors touring the library, where employees and community volunteers will haunt the stacks.
   The three witches from Shakespeare’s "Macbeth" — one of the highlights of last year’s event — might once again make an appearance, as will Sherlock Holmes and a host of other characters, both real and fictitious, she said.
   Ms. Etsch said much of the credit for the planning and preparation for this year’s haunting should go to members of the Monroe Township High School chapter of the National Art Honor Society, whose members designed and built the decorations — including a large diorama of a scene from Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Raven" that will greet visitors when they enter.
   The event will have a separate section just for the kids that will feature games and face-painting. Refreshments will be available for all.
   Ms. Etsch also reminded those who regularly make the library their Friday afternoon video or book stop that the library will be closing at 4 p.m. for decoration and setup.