Side Quests are fun activities that involve the library but are not traditional library offerings. The ones we are currently offering are at a difficulty level appropriate for a family working together or older teens/adults working on their own. We are working on one specifically geared to school age children which should be available in the next several months.
Unless participants are very knowledgeable about codes and cyphers, they will probably need to consult internet sources to figure out some of the clues. We also have a great book available called Top Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Cyphers and Secret Writing by Paul B. Janeczko available at the Information Desk for our sleuths to consult.
Library O’Clock NEW!
In this caper, the solver is collecting five clock times. The clock times are drawn on a special game board to find the two letters that the clock hands are pointing to. Once all ten letters are found they can be unscrambled to find a word. This caper does not use Dial-A-Story. All clues are on the website. There are five clues. Two of the clues must be solved in the library and three can be done online.
There is a half-sheet game board which is needed to play the game and is available at the Kids’ Room Desk or the Info Desk.
Clues can be solved in any order. Extra hints are available on each clue page. For Clue #2 sleuths will need to borrow one of the spy glasses from the Info Desk or the Kids’ Room Desk.
Dragon Caper
The premise of this quest is that a valuable jewel has been stolen from the library and the solvers will need to find where the jewel is hidden and the name of the person who stole it. This is a Dial-a-Story caper. To solve it, patrons must call and follow the prompts to Dragon Quest. Dragon Quest can be done completely offsite from the library; there are no actual clues in the library building. There are three clues. Hints are available via the phone menu and there is an online page with extra hints.
Mischief Indeed
The premise of this caper is that someone has been sneaking into the library at night and getting up to some hijinks. Participants will need to solve five clues to figure out what the criminal mastermind has planned next for the library.
This is a Dial-a-Story caper. To solve it, patrons must call and follow the prompts to Mischief Indeed. In this caper, all clues are physical and located in the library. Sleuths must first listen to the audio (on Dial-a-Story) to figure out where the clues are. They can listen in the library if they have headphones/earbuds. They can also listen elsewhere, take notes and then come into the library to find the clues. Hints are available on an online page.
Geocache
Geocaching is a location-based scavenger hunt style game using your smart phone or GPS receiver. Participants will need a geocaching.com account to play in the traditional manner. For those who would prefer not to make an account, ask for the paper clues available at the Kids’ Room Desk or the Information Desk or follow the link from the main Geocache page. Participants can follow the printed clues and find the geocache.
Check back frequently for new Quests! Send us your ideas and comments on our Feedback page.