On September 28th, 2024, students used their role-playing and detective skills during the murder mystery event, “Totally Rad 80’s Prom Gone Bad,” held at Mortola Library from 6 pm to 9 pm. The library was decorated for a high school prom, creating the scene at the mysterious Mayhem High School. Steven Feyl, University Librarian, states that by hosting the murder mystery event, Mortola Library “wants to show that this is not a traditional library. We host quirky and fun events even after the library is closed.”
In the event, the characters competed for the titles of Prom King and Prom Queen while also having to solve a murder. Students dressed up as the characters they played. At the event, students were given information about the character they would play in the murder mystery. Students were given information about what they knew, and they were given their first objective. Students were then provided with a second objective later in the evening. Students played roles as class president, pompom captain, and math captain at Mayhem High School.
At the end of the night, the library gave out two awards to participants in the event. One award was given to the student who stayed in character throughout the murder mystery, and the second award was given to the student who dressed best for their character. For the event, the library partnered with WPAW and Tabletop. WPAW provided disc jockey services for the event.
Feyl wants students to think about the joy of attending the Murder Mystery Event. “Students can have fun and be silly. When students look back at the fun times they had at Pace, they will think about the library.”
The murder mystery event also helps build a sense of community among students by allowing students to interact with each other. Feyl highlights that this event “brings people together who may not know each other…As students play their characters during the Murder Mystery, they interact with each other to gather information that can help them solve the murder.”
The event also gives students the opportunity to know who the librarian staff are. Feyl states, “Students get to know library staff, so when they are in the library and have a question, they can ask one of the staff members.”
Previous Murder Mystery events held at Mortola Library were centered around such themes as murder on the red carpet, 1920s speakeasies, westerns, and a cruise ship-themed one.
To learn more about Murder Mystery events, as well as other events hosted by the library, students can contact Steven Feyl at [email protected].