Lake Eerie Library

Constructed in 1886, the Ohio State Reformatory, more commonly known as the Mansfield Reformatory or Shawshank Prison (if you're a movie buff), is one of THE most haunted places in Ohio. The Librarians give you the nitty-gritty on the history, haunts, and Hollywood of this gothic-style tourist destination. 

Happy Hustling to all those who ran the Shawshank Hustle this weekend! 

Timestamps:

Housekeeping, Slenderman's Drag Persona,...

The Librarians return with a true crime tale from the banks of Lake Erie itself:

In June of 2011, Eastlake police received a tip from a local man claiming he had just been solicited in a murder-for-hire plot. What would unfold sounds more like the plot of a Judd Apatow movie than something that could happen in a Northeast Ohio suburb. 

This episode features:

Beth and Britta decide who will win in a fight against a gator; Beth has...

This week the Librarians recommend two coming-of-age horror novels for your reading pleasure: 

It by Stephen King 

and 

Summer of Night by Dan Simmons

CW: descriptive violence, bullying, childhood sexual content, arachnophobia, bias against unhoused people and those with addiction, violence against LGBTQIA+ and homophobia, domestic violence, self-harm, suicide, racism, animal death, reference to racial slurs, and organized religi...

What do KMart, fireworks, and Cleveland all have in common? That would be the tragedy of the S.S. Kresge Fireworks Explosion in 1908. Join the librarians for a tragic play-by-play of the fateful pre-holiday celebration that resulted in seven deaths, mass chaos, and building destruction, all due to something that was deemed as a harmless display. This ain’t no blue light special! Beth and Britta give Ohio a PSA on fireworks etiquett...

On June 4th, 1974, The Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) offered the promotional 10 Cent Beer night in an attempt to draw crowds amongst dwindling attendance at games. 

50 years later, the Librarians give you the play-by-play on the chaos that culminated over 9 innings, the rivalry that led to a riot, and the lasting legacy in sports history. 

Timestamps:

Housekeeping, a Boo in a Tot's room, ET to the Rescue, The IG algorithm tra...

In the early 2000s, Ariel Castro abducted Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus and held them captive for over a decade in his Cleveland home. 

Part Two covers the birth of Amanda's daughter, a harrowing escape, and where Amanda, Gina, and Lily are now. 

This episode contains descriptions of physical violence, sexual violence, child abuse and neglect, kidnapping, the child protective and foster care systems, animal abuse ...

In the early 2000s, Ariel Castro abducted Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus and held them captive for over a decade in his Cleveland home. 

Part One covers the initial connections between the survivors and their abductor, as well as several near misses with law enforcement and ongoing search efforts. 

This episode contains descriptions of physical violence, sexual violence, child abuse and neglect, kidnapping, the chi...

Every 23rd spring for 23 days, evil returns to eat...And also discuss Jeepers Creepers. 

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old abandoned church, Trish (Gina Philips) and her brother Darry (Justin Long) watch their routine road trip home from college turn into a heart-stopping race for their lives. They find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force that relentlessly pursues them and gives a new and...

Spring has sprung, and people (and the Critters) are getting squirrelly. What better way to get into the spirit than to watch some creature features? What films do the Librarians define as creature features?  Dive in (literally) with classic monsters, creepy crawlers, and way too many movies that are set in fresh water for Beth's comfort. Do throuples exist in Atlantis? Is the first rule of Lake Eerie Library Fight Club "Don't tell...

Happy Mother's Day! Hail Baby!

The Librarians discuss Ira Levin's modern classic "Rosemary's Baby" and the subsequent film adaptations, its unique perspectives on feminism, bodily autonomy, and consent, and the cultural impact that led to the "Horror Boom" in fiction. 

CW: Discussion and mention of rape, pregnancy, gaslighting, and religion

Timestamps: 

Housekeeping, Horny Mom Energy, Beth wants to oil up Randy Orton...

Discuss...

The Librarians are here to share the details of their most contemporary true crime topic yet. 

April 2016-  8 members of the Rhoden family were found brutally murdered in Pike County, Ohio homes. The circumstances of their deaths led FBI and BCI investigators to one of Ohio's longest-running murder investigations to date. Who committed this heinous crime? Was it related to the seizure of thousands of cannabis plants in the area? Co...

Welcome to the first Lake Eerie Library Minisode dedicated to one of Ohio's most endearing cryptids- the Loveland Frog. Is that froggy fella a time traveler? A witch? An alien? Or an escaped pet iguana? What's their glute workout routine? The Librarians are asking the hard-hitting questions you're all dying to have answered and petitioning for a guest spot at next year's Loveland Frog Festival.

Timestamps: 

Start: Housekeeping an...

The Librarians are back for a long overdue book discussion of Kin by one of their favorite Ohio dwelling authors, Kealan Patrick Burke.

From Amazon:

"On a scorching hot summer day in Elkwood, Alabama, Claire Lambert staggers naked, wounded, and half-blind away from the scene of an atrocity. She is the sole survivor of a nightmare that claimed her friends, and even as she prays for rescue, the killers -- a family of cannibalistic lu...

Welcome to part two of the epic tale of Danny Greene, Cleveland's infamous Irish gangster. This episode covers the latter half of Danny's life and the warring crime families of Cleveland at that time. Britta thinks laundering money means running it on the delicate cycle, Beth doesn't want the government to have her DNA (sus) and the Librarians remind you to finish reading Kin by Kealan Patrick Burke for next weeks book discussion!

Welcome back listeners! The Librarians figured out their St. Paddy's shenanigan schedule and got to together to tell you all about the epic tale of Danny Greene, Cleveland infamous Irish gangster. Learn about Danny's early days, interior design choices, and what exactly racketeering means. Plus hear entirely too much about a tv series that ended almost twenty years ago, why you should only trust professionals to set your car explos...

The Librarians take the deepest of dives into the government investigation of unidentified spacecraft, aliens, TLDR letters, and everything involved with Project Blue Book and its humble start at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  So grab your mountain of mashed potatoes, your Reeses Pieces, make sure to phone home, and remember: The Truth Is Out There....and we all totally missed it while living through our 8th, 9th, and 10th unpre...