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May 3 is National Paranormal Day. And when I think about the paranormal (or when I think about lobster rolls, because I do have a problem), I think about the one and only Stephen King. 

According to Stephen King, director Stanley Kubrick called King as Kubrick was bringing King’s book “The Shining” to the screen. Kubrick allegedly told King (because this phone call took place at 7 a.m., I have to assume we only have King’s word for what Kubrick said) that supernatural stories are inherently optimistic: “If there are ghosts,” Kubrick allegedly said, “then that means we survive death.” 

I remember first hearing about that quote and one word ran through my mind. 

Ooooookay (multiple o’s are mine).

This is because ghosts are usually portrayed in the media as creating feelings quite the opposite of optimism. By media, of course, I mean everything from classic tales like the ones featured in “Chilling Ghost Stories” (Fantastic F Chil) to more modern classics like the films in the Conjuring series haunting our DVD Horror section. These and other tales feature restless spirits that go bump in the night, spirits that typically create terror for those who enjoy these stories. 

As a fan of these stories, however, I can understand the fascination with a world beyond the mortal one. We live, work, sleep, and eat in the material world, where our five senses inform us about all that occurs within that world. But humanity’s innate curiosity has always been searching for something more, something beyond what our five senses tell us. 

There are plenty of researchers and writers out there willing to pierce the veil between this world and the next, or at least take a glimpse behind that veil. The veil might be thinnest in your own backyard. Grab a ticket to some “Haunted Theaters” in Tom Ogden’s book (133.122 Ogde). Go up north a little ways on I-75, get you some Skyline Chili, and some spookiness with “Cincinnati Ghosts and Other Tri-State Haunts”(133.1 Lave). Or head west to taste some bourbon, see the Derby, and listen to the “Ghosts of Old Louisville”(K 133.109769 Domi).

There are plenty of people in Kentucky and beyond who are looking for ghosts. Paranormal research seems to be booming, as evidenced by the increase in reality television shows that follow paranormal investigators. This includes the long-running series Ghost Adventures and the smaller Ghost Stories, both from the Travel Channel and both series can be found in our DVD Series collection. After watching these shows, you might want to start doing your own paranormal research. The library has books that will help you begin your journey beyond. These include “Developing Your Supernatural Awareness: Connecting with an Interactive Universe”(130 Wood) and “101 Ways to Find a Ghost: Essential Tools, Tips, and Techniques to Uncover Paranormal Activity”(133.1 Elli).

Whether you want to explore real-world encounters with the supernatural world, or you’re like me and just want made-up stories about the supernatural world, the library has all the spooky media to keep you up at night 

Because you’re reading, and not because you’re scared.

Unless you want to be scared. 

But in case you don’t want to be scared, here are some not very scary programs: 

• On Wednesday, May 1, at 2:00 p.m., the Kentucky Picture Show presents a 1961 classic movie starring Audrey Hepburn. A young New York socialite (Hepburn) becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way. Popcorn and snacks provided!
• This one might be a little scary. On May 2, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, the library will be having Adult Storytime. Sit, enjoy some snacks, have some fun, and listen to some classic and contemporary stories being read aloud. Feel free to bring your favorite short story to read and share with others.