Each October, as the leaves turn and the campus buzzes with Halloween excitement, the River Campus Libraries (RCL) hosts its much-anticipated Scare Fair, an annual celebration that brings students, staff, and spooky fun together under one roof. This year’s theme, Haunted Pirate Ship, transformed Rush Rhees Library into an eerie maritime adventure, complete with cobwebbed treasure chests, ghostly crew members, and a touch of library magic.
From the moment I entered the library, I was immersed in the festive atmosphere. The first person to greet me was Claudia Pietrzak, the Libraries’ User Experience and Social Media Manager, who looked both mysterious and mythical in her custom-made Mothman costume. I, channeling my inner heroine, had dressed as Joan of Arc, complete with a handmade chainmail headpiece and harness.
As a first-time attendee of Scare Fair, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but the variety of activities quickly drew me in. After sampling some delicious fall-themed snacks and admiring the creative crafts and games, I grabbed a scavenger hunt worksheet—the key to earning the event’s coveted prize: a chance to ascend to the top of the iconic Rush Rhees tower, a privilege rarely granted to students.
Scare Fair has been a River Campus tradition since 1998, designed as a library open house disguised in Halloween fun. It’s a time when students can explore the many resources, services, and study spaces offered by RCL, all while enjoying the playful, spooky spirit of the season.
“We thought this is a good time of year to have a library open house for students to learn more about the libraries in a fun way,” explained Pietrzak. “And then their prize for doing the scavenger hunt is going to the top [of the Rush Rhees tower].”
The scavenger hunt began in Lam Square, where library staff and student employees hosted themed stations showcasing the Libraries’ many offerings. From there, students journeyed through various library spaces, including hidden gems like the Rossell Hope Robbins Library, home to the University’s medieval text collection.
“I’d say a lot of people find this through Scare Fair,” shared Emily Bowman, a Rossell Hope Robbins Library worker. “I often get people coming in and being like, ‘I found the magic hidden library!’ It’s definitely one of the opportunities to share our location with people.”
Beyond the scavenger hunt, the event offered countless other highlights. The Libraries’ spooky décor—complete with cobwebs, skeletons, and ghostly accents—created a playful yet mysterious ambiance. In the Welles-Brown Room, visiting therapy dogs brought smiles and calm to students needing a break from the Halloween hustle.
Pulling off such an immersive experience takes months of planning and the collaboration of over 70 library employees, including student workers. These dedicated individuals do everything from running activity stations to leading the highly anticipated tower tours.
Community Engagement Assistant and student worker Magdalena Beer, who rocked a cowgirl costume this year, began working with Pietrzak over the summer to plan the event. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “The best part about all this was getting to work with people in the library that I've never spoken to before. These people work in Rare Books or in Digital Scholarship, and they’re taking time out of their schedules to help and put all this together, which is really amazing.”
Scare Fair is more than a Halloween tradition—it’s a testament to the creativity, dedication, and sense of community that make River Campus Libraries such a vital part of the University of Rochester experience. Whether discovering a hidden study spot, bonding over costumes, or simply taking in the magic of the season, Scare Fair reminds us why libraries continue to be places of exploration, connection, and inspiration.
