"When you look at schools and libraries, you tend to see the heart of a community," said Chamber executive director Steve Thurmond. "With these renovations, you see how important to us our library really is."

Every year, on the third weekend in October, a little branch in a rural Northern Kentucky town becomes the county's haunted hot-spot. 2015 was no exception.

Transforming itself from a community programming and service hub to a haunted library is no small undertaking.  For weeks, staff and volunteers construct sets, props, costumes and more in advance of the hundreds of people who will enter their doors. This not-so-scary event has become a must-attend program for families across the region. In addition to it being the only free haunted house type program, it is also family-friendly with the theme changing each year. The theme this year was Mythology where visitors embarked on a trip through the underworld.  From the Minotaur's dungeon to Medusa's hair salon, there was a little something for everyone.

In its eighth year, the William E. Durr branch's Haunted Library welcomed more than 1,300 people in the two days it was open this fall. This is a huge undertaking for what is the smallest branch in Kenton County's system.  Paul Duryea, branch manager, praises the staff for finding ways to be creative each year as well as how to operate such a huge undertaking.

"We couldn't do the Haunted Library without volunteers and the full investment of staff," Duryea stated.  "We have so many great high school students, sorority girls, family members and other volunteers who take time out of their lives to enrich others in our community.  And we do it all while staying open and continuing all regular services."

The Durr Branch is unique in its layout and perfect to conduct an event of this nature. In addition to a large meeting room, there is a children's meeting room adjoining the main meeting room. Off of the main reading room is access to an outside courtyard which has also been staged as part of the Haunted Library. Props are created by maintenance staff and volunteers and everything is assembled and decorated in the seven days prior to the event.

With this event growing in popularity, staff secured activities to keep people busy while they waited their turn. There were three games going on, two magicians, four tables of face painters and button makers and one great keyboard player.  Perfetti Van Melle, local manufacturer of Airheads candy, provided giveaways which also include books donated by the Friends of the Library.

Beginning in 2013, a service component was added to the annual event.