All Library branches will be closed and the Mobile Library will not make its scheduled stops on Monday, Sept. 1, for Labor Day.
Oh, how we love to frighten ourselves with tales of physical and psychological possession brought on by eerie entities and strange forces. Join us this fall as we unveil tales of cults, covens, demons and the reasons we love horror.
This Year's Featured Titles
Flights & Frights Trivia Night
Friday, October 10, 6-8 p.m. for ages 21 and older at 4 By 4 Brewing Company, 2811 E. Galloway St., Suite A. Recruit and register a team of six for a pop culture trivia night with our friends at 4 By 4 Brewing Company. Individual tickets are $40 and include a flight of beer, food and prizes. Proceeds from this event benefit the Library Foundation. Register online and check out sponsorship opportunities at foundation.thelibrary.org.
Entering Burnt Sparrow: Eric LaRocca’s Transgressive Horror
Thursday, September 18, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Three-time Bram Stoker Award finalist and viral sensation Eric LaRocca introduces his chilling new novel, "We Are Always Tender with Our Dead." Set in the unsettling town of Burnt Sparrow, this tale launches a disturbing new trilogy where a violent act forever alters the lives of those who live there. LaRocca will lead you into the heart of Burnt Sparrow while discussing this visceral, beautifully written queer horror story. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Granny or Witch? Ozark Tales of Healers and Magic
Thursday, October 9, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Folklorist, writer and storyteller Brandon Weston explores Ozark folk healing, sharing stories of granny women and traditional healers who often balanced serving their community with the risk of being labeled witches. In his latest book, "Granny Thornapple's Book of Charms," Weston examines how the relationship between healers and their communities has evolved — and how many old fears and stereotypes persist today. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Cults & Chaos Collide: Sam Rebelein and Clay McLeod Chapman
Thursday, October 16, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Sam Rebelein’s "Galloway’s Gospel" and Clay McLeod Chapman’s "Wake Up and Open Your Eyes" deliver wildly original horror — one darkly funny, the other deeply unsettling — both exploring the profound effect cults of personality can have on people. Join acclaimed authors Rebelein and Chapman for a captivating discussion about cult leaders, wellness gurus, giant beasts, plant people and much more. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
"The Omen" at The Moxie
Friday, October 17, 7-9 p.m. at Moxie Cinema, 305 S. Campbell Ave. #101. Richard Donner’s "The Omen," rated R, 1976, encapsulates every parent’s worst nightmare as shocking deaths, strange prophesies and unburied secrets lead the Thorns to believe their son Damien might literally be the Antichrist. Enjoy the modern classic of supernatural suspense on the big screen during this special free presentation.
“Play Nice” with Rachel Harrison
Thursday, October 23, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. USA Today bestselling author Rachel Harrison’s new novel, "Play Nice," follows a woman with a picture-perfect life who must face the demons of her past when she inherits her supposedly possessed childhood home. Harrison will discuss haunted houses, what it means to be a "crazy" girl, embracing your demons, Britney Spears and the aughts. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
The Wild World of Witchcraft - LIVE! with Grady Hendrix
Monday, October 27, 7 p.m. at the Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central E. Are witches candy-eating crones, moonlit maidens, broomstick-riding rebels defying dark fates or something more? New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix celebrates his latest book, "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls," with a wild dive into the darkest corners of witchcraft in books and movies, featuring an unstoppable army of broomstick-wielding, curse-hurling witches. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
“Why I Love Horror”: Grady Hendrix and Becky Siegel Spratford in Conversation
Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. at Relics Event Center, 2015 W. Battlefield Road, Suite E. "Why I Love Horror," edited by the horror world’s favorite librarian, Becky Siegel Spratford, is a heartfelt tribute to the genre featuring personal essays from bestselling authors like Clay McLeod Chapman, Rachel Harrison and Grady Hendrix. Join Spratford and Hendrix as they discuss what draws them to horror, what the genre offers readers, and Hendrix’s own gripping essay. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration starts October 1; visit thelibrary.org/programs or call 417-883-5341.
Entering Burnt Sparrow: Eric LaRocca’s Transgressive Horror
Thursday, September 18, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Three-time Bram Stoker Award finalist and viral sensation Eric LaRocca introduces his chilling new novel, "We Are Always Tender with Our Dead." Set in the unsettling town of Burnt Sparrow, this tale launches a disturbing new trilogy where a violent act forever alters the lives of those who live there. LaRocca will lead you into the heart of Burnt Sparrow while discussing this visceral, beautifully written queer horror story. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Granny or Witch? Ozark Tales of Healers and Magic
Thursday, October 9, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Folklorist, writer and storyteller Brandon Weston explores Ozark folk healing, sharing stories of granny women and traditional healers who often balanced serving their community with the risk of being labeled witches. In his latest book, "Granny Thornapple's Book of Charms," Weston examines how the relationship between healers and their communities has evolved — and how many old fears and stereotypes persist today. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Cults & Chaos Collide: Sam Rebelein and Clay McLeod Chapman
Thursday, October 16, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Sam Rebelein’s "Galloway’s Gospel" and Clay McLeod Chapman’s "Wake Up and Open Your Eyes" deliver wildly original horror — one darkly funny, the other deeply unsettling — both exploring the profound effect cults of personality can have on people. Join acclaimed authors Rebelein and Chapman for a captivating discussion about cult leaders, wellness gurus, giant beasts, plant people and much more. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
"The Omen" at The Moxie
Friday, October 17, 7-9 p.m. at Moxie Cinema, 305 S. Campbell Ave. #101. Richard Donner’s "The Omen," rated R, 1976, encapsulates every parent’s worst nightmare as shocking deaths, strange prophesies and unburied secrets lead the Thorns to believe their son Damien might literally be the Antichrist. Enjoy the modern classic of supernatural suspense on the big screen during this special free presentation.
“Play Nice” with Rachel Harrison
Thursday, October 23, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. USA Today bestselling author Rachel Harrison’s new novel, "Play Nice," follows a woman with a picture-perfect life who must face the demons of her past when she inherits her supposedly possessed childhood home. Harrison will discuss haunted houses, what it means to be a "crazy" girl, embracing your demons, Britney Spears and the aughts. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
The Wild World of Witchcraft - LIVE! with Grady Hendrix
Monday, October 27, 7 p.m. at the Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central E. Are witches candy-eating crones, moonlit maidens, broomstick-riding rebels defying dark fates or something more? New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix celebrates his latest book, "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls," with a wild dive into the darkest corners of witchcraft in books and movies, featuring an unstoppable army of broomstick-wielding, curse-hurling witches. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
“Why I Love Horror”: Grady Hendrix and Becky Siegel Spratford in Conversation
Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. at Relics Event Center, 2015 W. Battlefield Road, Suite E. "Why I Love Horror," edited by the horror world’s favorite librarian, Becky Siegel Spratford, is a heartfelt tribute to the genre featuring personal essays from bestselling authors like Clay McLeod Chapman, Rachel Harrison and Grady Hendrix. Join Spratford and Hendrix as they discuss what draws them to horror, what the genre offers readers, and Hendrix’s own gripping essay. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration starts October 1; visit thelibrary.org/programs or call 417-883-5341.
Entering Burnt Sparrow: Eric LaRocca’s Transgressive Horror
Thursday, September 18, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Three-time Bram Stoker Award finalist and viral sensation Eric LaRocca introduces his chilling new novel, "We Are Always Tender with Our Dead." Set in the unsettling town of Burnt Sparrow, this tale launches a disturbing new trilogy where a violent act forever alters the lives of those who live there. LaRocca will lead you into the heart of Burnt Sparrow while discussing this visceral, beautifully written queer horror story. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Granny or Witch? Ozark Tales of Healers and Magic
Thursday, October 9, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Folklorist, writer and storyteller Brandon Weston explores Ozark folk healing, sharing stories of granny women and traditional healers who often balanced serving their community with the risk of being labeled witches. In his latest book, "Granny Thornapple's Book of Charms," Weston examines how the relationship between healers and their communities has evolved — and how many old fears and stereotypes persist today. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Cults & Chaos Collide: Sam Rebelein and Clay McLeod Chapman
Thursday, October 16, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Sam Rebelein’s "Galloway’s Gospel" and Clay McLeod Chapman’s "Wake Up and Open Your Eyes" deliver wildly original horror — one darkly funny, the other deeply unsettling — both exploring the profound effect cults of personality can have on people. Join acclaimed authors Rebelein and Chapman for a captivating discussion about cult leaders, wellness gurus, giant beasts, plant people and much more. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
"The Omen" at The Moxie
Friday, October 17, 7-9 p.m. at Moxie Cinema, 305 S. Campbell Ave. #101. Richard Donner’s "The Omen," rated R, 1976, encapsulates every parent’s worst nightmare as shocking deaths, strange prophesies and unburied secrets lead the Thorns to believe their son Damien might literally be the Antichrist. Enjoy the modern classic of supernatural suspense on the big screen during this special free presentation.
“Play Nice” with Rachel Harrison
Thursday, October 23, 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. USA Today bestselling author Rachel Harrison’s new novel, "Play Nice," follows a woman with a picture-perfect life who must face the demons of her past when she inherits her supposedly possessed childhood home. Harrison will discuss haunted houses, what it means to be a "crazy" girl, embracing your demons, Britney Spears and the aughts. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
The Wild World of Witchcraft - LIVE! with Grady Hendrix
Monday, October 27, 7 p.m. at the Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central E. Are witches candy-eating crones, moonlit maidens, broomstick-riding rebels defying dark fates or something more? New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix celebrates his latest book, "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls," with a wild dive into the darkest corners of witchcraft in books and movies, featuring an unstoppable army of broomstick-wielding, curse-hurling witches. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
“Why I Love Horror”: Grady Hendrix and Becky Siegel Spratford in Conversation
Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. at Relics Event Center, 2015 W. Battlefield Road, Suite E. "Why I Love Horror," edited by the horror world’s favorite librarian, Becky Siegel Spratford, is a heartfelt tribute to the genre featuring personal essays from bestselling authors like Clay McLeod Chapman, Rachel Harrison and Grady Hendrix. Join Spratford and Hendrix as they discuss what draws them to horror, what the genre offers readers, and Hendrix’s own gripping essay. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration starts October 1; visit thelibrary.org/programs or call 417-883-5341.
