LIHUE — “Some of the kids looked at me and said, ‘What are you supposed to be?’” said Victoria Lam, the Lihue Public Library children’s librarian. “‘I don’t get it,’ they said even after I gave them a dead giveaway clue, holding up a No. 2 pencil.”
Lam and the staff of the Lihue Public Library were done up in style for Halloween Wednesday, welcoming other costumed characters to visit.
Does Carolyn Larson, the Lihue Public Library branch manager, get double points?
“People who come dressed as a literary character like Nevermore from an Edgar Allen Poe novel get double points,” Larson said. “Every one who comes dressed in costume gets a non-candy treat.”
Larson reviewed some of the guidelines to the Lihue Public Library Halloween Drop In that enjoyed a “soft” opening Wednesday.
“The time got away from us this year,” Larson said. “But we are encouraging library patrons to think about dressing up as literary characters for future years at the Lihue Library Halloween Drop In.”
Library patrons, many coming from Wilcox Elementary School across Hardy Street garbed in festive seasonal wear, were greeted by Nevermore, the No. 2 pencil, and 50 Shades of Gray cleverly put on by Young Adult Librarian Sierra Hampton-Eng.
“The staff is great about dressing up,” Larson said. “Even our student helpers are in costume.”
Once inside, patrons could engage in making a moveable mummy, participating at a Halloween coloring station, and jumping in a fun photo booth where they could create their own book cover and title.
“We remind our island community that their neighborhood library is the best place for sBOOKy stories, from toddlers to adults, pumpkin carving to pumpkin pie, horror and fantasy to current events,” Larson said. “Stop by the library and pick up a good book, try out the literary photo booth, and don’t forget to leave with a treat.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
