Murder in the Library

By Eileen Kopren, Stoxen Library, Dickinson State University. Originally appeared in The Good Stuff, the official magazine of the North Dakota Library Association, June 2008.

Murder victim Adam Minor with clues strewn on the floor around him.

It began with a blood-curdling scream and the statement, “Adam is dead... someone has murdered him!” Stoxen Library at Dickinson State University hosted “Murder in the Library” on Friday, April 11, 2008, as its kick-off for National Library Week.

Ten six-person teams participated in the game designed by library staff. Names from the Clue game, along with a few others, were used to identify the key players: Colonel Mustard, Mr. Green, Mrs. White, Officer Peach, Instructor Mint, Librarian Azure, Reporter Pink, Detective Rusty, Professor Plum, and Miss Scarlet. Library staff used the colors of each team when photocopying clues, placed the picture of the murderer on the back side of the clues, then cut the clues apart like a puzzle. When each team had collected all of its clues, they put their puzzle together to solve the crime. Both the picture of the murderer’s face and the murderer’s name were revealed.

One of the participants running between clues.

Each team had thirteen clues/activities to complete in order to solve the crime, including finding a book via ODIN (Online Dakota Information Network,) locating a DVD/video, using various library databases, checking out a reserve item, and stopping at the Academic Success Center. In some cases, the next clue was hidden inside something (e.g., book, periodical, DVD,) and in other cases, the team reported to “clue stations” to prove they had the necessary information to receive the next clue. One of Dickinson's speech/theater professors gave his clue as Dr. Watson via DVD. He also attended the event in costume.

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 the next clue.

Three members of the Officer Peach team decipher a 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.

Students really seemed to enjoy “Murder in the Library” 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 can be seen via the Library’s blog; choose Common Grounds blog).

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