Photo credit: bookriot.com
Every year, the r/libraries subreddit becomes a hub for discussions centered around ghost stories associated with libraries. While some users revel in these spooky narratives, others argue that libraries should refrain from endorsing such myths as they lack factual basis.
This raises an intriguing question: do we genuinely know for certain that ghosts don’t exist? Despite the absence of empirical evidence supporting the existence of spirits or hauntings, there is a certain enchantment and significance that people attribute to these tales. This phenomenon mirrors the debates surrounding organized religion and the stories we share as part of our cultural heritage. Ghost stories are deeply rooted in folklore, shaping human storytelling traditions for centuries.
The frequent overlap between ghost stories and libraries likely stems from the extensive histories tied to many libraries, particularly those housed in older buildings. Numerous libraries across the United States date back to the Carnegie Era, suggesting their walls echo with not only the narratives found within their books but also the lives of individuals who worked or visited these spaces—and perhaps even perished within or close to them.
As Halloween approaches, let us take a closer look at several haunted libraries across the United States. These sites embrace their spectral histories, often offering visitors a chance to delve deeper into the stories of their ghostly residents. Additionally, there’s a fascinating account of a haunted book to share.
Hoyt Library in Saginaw, Michigan
A highlight of this library is its well-documented haunted reputation, which has captivated many and was featured in the documentary A Haunting at the Hoyt Library. Paranormal investigators featured in that film uncovered compelling evidence pointing to the presence of supernatural entities within its historic walls.
Established in the 1890s, Hoyt Library has its own share of famous ghost stories. One prominent account involves the spirit of Harriett Ames, the library’s first librarian, who is said to assist visitors in their inquiries. Other peculiar incidents reported by staff and patrons include unexplained typing sounds, books mysteriously falling from shelves, sudden flashes of light, and unexpected temperature drops.
These occurrences are not isolated; reports suggest that strange phenomena take place almost daily, securing Hoyt Library’s reputation as one of the most haunted venues in the Midwest.
Peoria Public Library in Peoria, Illinois
The legend surrounding the Peoria Public Library suggests it stands on cursed ground. In the 1830s, a local resident named Mrs. Andrew Gray faced considerable misfortune after using her home as collateral for her troubled nephew’s legal issues, which ultimately cost her the family residence. According to lore, she cursed the land when she lost her home shortly after her nephew’s unexpected death.
Constructed in 1894, the library has had three directors who all died under unusual circumstances. The spirit of one of these directors, Erastus S. Willcox—an influential figure in the field of librarianship—reportedly wanders the library, still clad in early 20th-century attire.
Interestingly, even after the library’s main branch was demolished and rebuilt in the 1960s, ghost sightings have persisted in the new facility, adding to the mystery of the supposed curse. For those curious about this haunted institution, there is even a dedicated podcast episode exploring the eerie happenings at the Peoria Public Library available here.
More Haunted Libraries—Plus a Haunted Library Book!—Below for Subscribers.
And for the adventurous, here’s an unexpected tip: if you’re looking to explore the paranormal, your local public library may have an EMF meter available for borrowing through “Library of Things” programs. Mine does!
Source
bookriot.com