Greetings!  How good of you to visit! How… lovely you all look!  Wha— why are so many of you wearing scarves and cowls cinched up around your ne– Oh right, I always forget that tonight’s topic makes some human people extra nervous and squirmy. LOL-cough…sorry.  I promise you, you’re barely in any danger at all… if you do as you’re told. I’m kidding!  Please take your seats!

Welcome to the Midnight Library, my dear guests.  I am your hard-headed host, Miranda Merrick.  Myyyy… please, please try to relax.  It seems whenever we broach the subject of beheadings or vampires or throat-ripping beasties… well there’s a palpable nervousness that fills the Reading Room.  I swear some of you must be the descendants of those who’ve lost their heads…or- you’re the reincarnated, actual choppees (um if you think you are, I definitely want to chat with you after the reading so keep that in mind)  You can at least be comforted by the fact that we haven’t wheeled in our antique guillotine… like we did the last time…only because it’s at Beelzebub’s Bladeworks this week…for… polishing.  Let me tell you what’s on The Hospitality Tray! — Um… in honor of our delicious topic of beheadings…in art, Natasha has happily lopped off all of the heads… of all of the things she has cookie cutter molds of.  This was really very thoughtful of her!  On one plate are the bodies of well… what looks to be a ringmaster from a circus, several Renaissance…looking people… Um… Oh I know that one, it’s a zookeeper, and that seated one is a snake charmer.  That chubby fellow looks like Santa Claus but I’m pretty sure it’s not him– anyway, all of the heads, which I suppose you could mix and match if you like- are on the other plate.  Such a team player she is, our Natasha.  I can tell you it’s best to be on her team, that’s for sure!

Welcome to The Midnight Library, Dear Guest! We hope you notice how freely you can move about...within the cordoned-off areas. Tonight we have something just a little different for you, the story of The Collyer Brothers. If you've never heard of them, you're in for a treat, sort of. If you have heard of them, please don't alarm the others. Without giving away any spoilers, this story offers wealth, prestige, quirkiness, eccentricity, gloom, delusion, denial, rats, and found corpses- plus several other intriguing items. You may want to eat a little while before you join us. Please take your seat!

Our reading this evening will tell the story of how one young man's obsession influenced the governing of his country, and gave unchecked power to the courts who worked in partnership with the church in order to ruin the lives of countless innocent people, primarily women, by first accusing of witchcraft, then capturing and torturing, and ultimately murdering them.  The story is true and the victims deserve our attention, our respect, and an effort to prevent this and similar actions from ever happening again.  The story contains the brutal facts about the torture that was inflicted upon those who suffered.  May they rest in peace.

Honestly, we don't know what you were thinking, or, how what supposedly happened actually did. You're usually so careful and follow Miranda's instructions to the letter. But, these things do happen...from time to time...for some unknown reason. Join us tonight as YOU become lost in The Midnight Library and have the most bizarre evening that you've promised never to tell another living soul about... (HEADPHONES & SOLITUDE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE)

Have you ever heard of "The Turning of the Wheel"?  If not, you are missing out on an ancient and beloved calendar that encourages bonfires, music, bathing, planting, baking bread, and finding romance! Oh and also holding a dinner for the dead. Join us tonight in The Reading Room to hear all about the 8 old-fashioned festivals that anyone can take part in... and that many still do! We invite you to love The Wheel of the Year!

Welcome bat lovers! And future bat lovers! We have great faith that once you get to know bats... well, you'll find they're even more creepy and mysterious than you imagined. Please swoop down on The Hospitality Tray to snap up your treats and find your favorite seat because tonight it's all about The Goth Butterflies of the Night, BATS!

DESCRIPTION:  Welcome Spooky Lovelies! The fireplaces are lit, the Hospitality Tray is set, and everything that would make you run in panic is waiting beyond the cordoned-off areas, mostly. We thought it was time to visit our long-dead friends, The Victorians, and to learn to admire their strict and strange mourning customs, some of which are still with us today. From how long your black veil should be, to how to keep mice from burrowing into a corpse, we have all the dirt on their fascinating habits! So, strap on your best black bonnet and join us in The Reading Room!

Welcome Spooky Lovelies! Join me for 40 melodious minutes of music and polite talk about how and why each piece was chosen for the beloved characters and unique places found only in the world of The Midnight Library!  This will be followed by a short Q&A session. I'm so glad you're here!  Love, Miranda🐺💜🐈‍⬛ HEADPHONES OR EARBUDS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Welcome, Dear Guest! Tonight's sumptuous topic is: Seaworthy Witches! The Hospitality Tray is dripping with water-logged delights! And there will be talk of maritime superstitions, historical water-witch lore, an ad by our fine sponsor, The Mystique, and the amazing story of Tam O'Shanter & The Cutty Sark! Also, Mr. Darling refuses to put his mouth on a slimy sea hag. Join us! (Life vests are mandatory and useless)

Snuggle up in The Reading Room and settle in for a long, delicious treat, because tonight, 5 luscious guest hosts have arrived to let you sample their own, unique styles of storytelling! Miranda will keep you company and introduce you to each of them. They are: Icy Sedgwick from Fabulous Folklore with Icy.  Al Ridenour and Sara Chavez from Bone and Sickle. Alasdair Beckett-King & James Shakeshaft from The Loremen. Richard Hatem from Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf. And Chris Cullari & Ed Voccola from Scared All The Time. Their stories range from personal...to maniacal. *BE WARNED! Scared All The Time's portion contains vivid descriptions of cannibalism. So there.