Hometown Weekly Staff
The Children’s Department of the Westwood Public Library was transformed into a Great Hall of Hogwartz last Thursday as the library hosted Harry Potter Night.
More than 200 people attended the celebration of all things Harry Potter. Kids were encouraged to dress up as their favorite Harry Potter characters, and library staff looked the part as they took on the roles of various Harry Potter characters themselves. Prizes donated by the Friends of the Westwood Library were also awarded to fans with the best costumes and who were the most in-character throughout the event.
Many Harry Potter-themed activates were offered. Kids could don the sorting hat and learn which one of the Great Houses they would best be suited for, participate in scavenger hunts for powerful potions and mythical objects from the Harry Potter universe, learn spells frim the books and more.
Harry Potter fans watched as librarians demonstrated a proper wizarding duel, and called on several lucky fans to participate in magical duels as well. The main event was a spell-o-thon, a competition to see who knew the most about the spells of the Harry Potter universe.
For head children’s librarian Elizabeth McGovern, the event was a huge success, both in turnout and the enjoyment of the kids and parents that came out to enjoy the night.
“I couldn't believe the turnout,” McGovern said. “When planning I thought we could get anywhere from 20 kids to 60 kids. I was so pleased everyone came out for it.”
McGovern noted that the library staff stepped up to help make the event a success.
“My staff did a ton of work leading up to the event, they left no detail undone,” McGovern said. “We even had a small projector in the corner project one of the house’s ghosts on the wall.”
Harry Potter events are not new to the library. In the past, when Harry Potter books and movies were still being released, the library would host themed nights to mark the release. But with the movies complete and no new books to release, the last event the library hosted was in 2011 to mark the release of the final Harry Potter movie.
McGovern explained that the library decided to host a Harry Potter Night when she learned that the book’s publisher, Bloomsbury Publishing, had plans to host one. She quickly got in contact with the publisher and received an event kit and tips on how to host the event.
The Westwood Public Library’s Harry Potter Night was held in conjunction with similar events held across the world. McGovern said she is already looking forward to next year, and hopes to turn the event into an annual tradition.
