(by Carol Sommer, Head of Reader Services and expert on Clark Library paranormal activity)

From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
(Scottish Saying)

Since Halloween is nearly upon us, I’ve been asked about the ghost that haunts the Clark Library. Although never seen (well, maybe once but under dubious circumstances), the ghost has been heard. From footsteps running up the stairs (heard by a staff member who knew he was the only one in the library), to doors being slammed as one is closing the library for the night, to the mezzanine doors slowly opening even though there is no one on that level, most of the Clark staff has experienced at least one of these phenomenon during their time at the library. Our custodian has come in before any of the staff has arrived to find lights on, doors open, and objects moved (and no, it was not due to carelessness on the staff’s part the night before).

One visitor to the library, while waiting to be let out, heard a dog bark upstairs (Snooks perhaps, returned to look for his master?).  Another staff member reported “whispering voices” in the drawing room.  Regardless of all these experiences, the presence (whoever it may be) is at least not malevolent.