To celebrate the beginning of the Halloween season, the LSU Library held a murder mystery night Tuesday.
As attendees walked into the library they were greeted by the many librarians of LSU, Halloween music and other groups already trying to solve the night’s mysteries.
“When we create a new program, it’s always a little scary because we’re not quite sure will the students like it? Will it be at the right time? We put a lot of energy and effort trying to make a de-stress, and an exciting event for the students,” said LSU librarian Danielle Costello. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, so it’s always exciting and terrifying to be able to see what happens, and so I’m really glad that so many people came out and seem to be enjoying themselves.”
Students of all years came together to solve murders and mysteries alike, from murder crosswords and “Murdles” to Clue and Nancy Drew.
Some students were playing online mystery games with each other, while others were given a case file and mulled over the suspects, potential motives and interrogations.
Throughout the night, gasps and the fluttering of papers from hand to hand hinted at investigative breakthroughs and revelations as students were out to find the killers.
By the end of the night, some groups found their culprit, while some groups missed the criminal right under their noses. If nothing else, they had fun and met new people.
The librarians were already thinking up ways to improve the event next year by moving it closer to Halloween, doing costumes, providing snacks and making the experience more immersive, Costello said.
“The murder aspect of it seemed to really jazz people up,” Costello said. “You know, it’s fun to have an event where you get to get out of your school self and get something and immerse yourself into the fun of puzzling.”
Murder mystery night is one of the many events the LSU Library holds for students; they all have a common goal in mind.
“We want to be able to provide de-stress events, provide a lot of different experiences, because the library is more than just space, it’s also a place where you can connect to your cohort, connect to your community, connect with the librarians as well. We want to keep making events that continue to support that,” Costello said.
Upcoming library events include relaxation rooms, dog therapy during the midterms and a showing of the film “Everything Everywhere all at Once.”
Event goers play "Murder in the Library" Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Room 109 at the LSU Library.
