Maria Richardson 4/28/12 LSC 535 Detailed Program Plan: Whodunnit at the Library?

Program Description The Whodunnit at the Library event will give tweens the opportunity to explore the world of forensic science and solve a mystery. By partnering with the local theater, Hackmatack Playhouse, librarians will have access to a variety of costumes and props. Rather than following the typical, complicated guidelines of an adult murder mystery party, this program will be structured more as a scavenger hunt, with each clue leading to another placed throughout the library. If needed, the librarian will subtly guide patrons to the deduction that will lead to the next clue. The event will take place afterhours, lending an additional sense of excitement. At the culmination of the activity, participants will receive Library Detective badges and enjoy refreshments. Characters Childrens Librarian: herself YA Librarian: herself Circulation clerk: herself Reference librarian: himself Library Director: Mad Scientist North Berwick Elementary teacher: Himself/culprit

Sequence of Clues Participants will meet in the programming room. Here, they will receive a brief introduction to the activity, and will brainstorm the best types of questions (who, what, where, when, why, how) to aid deduction. The librarian will explain that a number of books have gone missing from the library, and they and the thief must be found. They will then be led to the Childrens Room. The Childrens Room will have a large number of titles missing from the shelves, as well as titles strewn about the floor. Major clues embedded in scene include the removal of many sciencerelated books, as well as a footprint leading to the YA area. Participants will be asked who might be interested in taking the science books, and what the size and direction of the footprint might indicate. YA Room: More disarray, but to a lesser extent. A small but visible gap on the shelves will indicate an area where books were removed. In addition, one book will be protruding from the shelf, as if the thief got caught in the act and left the book behind. This title will discuss basic chemistry. A pair of thick glasses will occupy the space left by the missing volumes, and another

footprint will lead towards the adult area. The childrens librarian will ask a volunteer to collect the glasses using a tissue, and place them in a sandwich bag as Exhibit A. The librarian will suggest a holding a conversation with the reference librarian, to see if he witnessed any suspicious behavior. Upon approaching the reference desk, participants will be allowed to question the reference librarian about any potentially unusual observations. He will note that a mysterious individual approached the desk with a request for a large number of science-related volumes, which he took into the reading room. Just as the participants begin to depart for the reading room, the reference librarian will ask if anyone left behind a folder earlier in the day. The folder, stamped with PROPERTY OF NBE (North Berwick Elementary), will be placed in a storage bag and labeled Exhibit B. On their way to the reading room, participants will be led through the stacks, where an individual wearing a large tan jacket will be standing very close to the shelves, seemingly reading spine labels. In the reading room, a man wearing a lab coat will be paging through reference titles. A periodic table of the elements will be on the table in front of him, and he will refer to it repeatedly. As the program participants approach, the man will look up in surprise. Children will then be given the opportunity to ask the suspect questions about his whereabouts at the time of the thefts, the nature of his occupation, etc. After all questions have been answered, the man will remark about the size of the font on the periodic table, and will put on his glasses to examine the document more closely. At this point, the sensor at the main exit will alarm, indicating an individual attempting to leave the library without checking out books. Participants will report to the area immediately, to find the circulation clerk standing past the sensor with a handful of science books. The clerk will insist that she, too, reported directly to the scene, and began collecting the books to reshelf them. She will further claim that she saw an individual fleeing towards the computer area after having dropped the books in surprise. Also left behind is a piece of scrap paper with a list of call numbers. Again, participants will have the opportunity to question the circulation clerk before investigating the area indicated by the call numbers. When reporting to the corresponding shelves, participants will see that it is the same location where they passed the individual wearing the jacket. At the computer stations, one computers screen will be open to the catalog, displaying search results that feature several of the listed call numbers. At the edge of the chair, participants will discover a scrap of tan fabric, which will be collected and labeled as Exhibit C. With the information gathered, participants will return to the programming room, and use the white board to brainstorm likely culprits while examining the evidence. When a decision has been reached, participants will fan out to search the library for the suspect. He will be located in the Special Collections room, closely examining a display case. Participants will state their case to the individual. At this point, the mystery thief will remove his disguise, revealing himself to be a teacher at the elementary school. He will explain that he needed the books to plan a science experiment, but was too embarrassed to admit hed lost his library card. The event will conclude with awarded prizes and refreshments.

Program Objectives To build problem-solving skills. This will require the supplication of appropriate clues that provide enough information to form a deduction without blatantly disclosing the

solution. To successfully accomplish this, tweens developmental abilities must be taken into consideration. To allow participants to fully engage in a story. By forming a clear introduction to the conflict, a logical climax, and a satisfying conclusion, patrons will gain a deeper understanding of narrative structure. This will support literacy skills for struggling readers, and will do so in a fun, interactive way. To provide an opportunity for social interaction and teamwork. This will require participants to take turns, brainstorm together, and respect each other. These skills can be applied to everyday life, giving the program real-world benefits. To encourage tweens to fully explore their library in its totality. This will be achieved by weaving clues throughout the library, giving the program a labyrinthine quality.

Required Staff, Facilities and Supplies As demonstrated above, this event requires a large amount of staff. The childrens and YA librarians would both need to be on hand, as well as a circulation clerk, reference librarian, and the library director. In addition, a teacher from North Berwick Elementary would need to volunteer for the event. Not only would staff need to be present for the duration of the program, but a fairly intricate setup procedure must also be performed. The childrens and YA librarians would be responsible for materials setup and clean-up, such as arrangement of misplaced books and their reshelving following the event, and preparing the search retrieval screen from the online catalog. All staff would need to attend a session before the program to rehearse their roles and mark each scene. While this demands the commitment of a larger amount of individuals than are typically needed for childrens programming, the nature of the event would make participation enjoyable for everyone. Just as the program demands a heavy amount of staff, it also requires usage of the entire library. The mystery could not be conducted in one room; it entails searching and discovery, and such activities cannot be confined to a single location. As the program is scheduled after-hours and is expected to run for 90 minutes, this will necessitate a consideration of utility costs associated with keeping the library open later in the evening.

Though the program would require a large number of supplies, most can be located in-house or loaned from the Hackmatack Playhouse. Only the prizes and refreshments would cut into the programming budget, and at a minimal rate.

Registration To promote success, this program will be limited to ten individuals. A larger group would likely become rowdy, and it would not be feasible to allow each participant to question the subject or participate in collecting evidence. Also, as this will be the first attempt at such a program, keeping the patron count on the lower side will allow librarians to focus on the mechanics of the program without sacrificing patron satisfaction. Registration will be completed on a first-come, first-serve basis; the forms will be housed in the library. For a sample registration form, see Appendix A.

Promotional Materials The majority of promotion will be conducted through the school. Flyers will be posted near the front office, and handouts will be sent home with North Berwick Elementary students. One week before the program, promotional announcements will be made during scheduled morning announcements until registration reaches capacity. Posters and handouts will also be available at the library. The language and imagery will appeal more toward participants sensibilities as opposed to their parents. For an example of promotional materials, see Appendix B.

Evaluation Rather than utilizing a formalized process, evaluation will occur through observation and group discussion. During the program, librarians will observe the success of the planted clues in building a logical case. Patron reactions will indicate the difficulty level of the clues. If the participants hurry through the program, this will demonstrate that the clues did not offer the appropriate level of difficulty; however, if participants need consistent guidance, librarians should consider simplifying the clues at the next event. Also, registration rates will be compared between this event and the next

attempt; if they increase or remain steady, this will indicate a successful program. The group discussion will serve to allow all participants to share their observations and suggestions for future mystery programs. As the North Berwick Elementary faculty member displayed his generosity by participating in the event, his participation in the group discussion will be voluntary.

Materials Examples

Prizes

Costume supplies

Appendix A Whodunnit at the Library? Registration Form The Whodunnit at the Library? Program will be held Friday, October 12th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The program is open to children in elementary grades, and is limited to 10 participants. Sign up quick to reserve your spot! Name of Participant: Name of Caregiver: Participant age/grade: Address:

E-mail address (to confirm registration): Phone number (as parents are not required to attend, this number will be used to contact you in the case of an emergency during the program): Does your child have any food allergies we should know about?

Join us as we crack the case!

Appendix B: Promotional Materials

Whodunnit at D.A. Hurd Library??

Put on your thinking caps and solve a library mystery! Friday, October 12th, 7:00-8:30 at D.A. Hurd Library Featuring snacks, prizes, and a special guest! Open to all students in 4th-6th grades Theres only space for 10 participants sign up quick!! Registration opens October 1st at the library! Sponsored by Hackmatack Playhouse

Where will YOU be on the night of October 12th, from 7:00-8:30?

Hopefully at D.A. Hurds Whodunnit at the Library program! Open to grades 4-6 Limited space register today! Sponsored by Hackmatack Playhouse