1. How to Create a Harry Potter Escape Room
with a small staff
and less than 200$
having not actually read the book (yet)
or seen the movie (still)
and also never having been to an escape room

2. The Yellowknife Public Library

3. We (really really) care what you think Time is money & money is money
MYSTERY!
Why make an escape room?
We (really really) care what you think
Time is money & money is money
The ins & outs

4. GRYFFINDOR You might belong in Gryffindor,
Why make an escape room in the first place?
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry,
Set Gryffindors apart;

6. We (really really) care what you think Time is money & money is money
MYSTERY!
Why make an escape room?
We (really really) care what you think
Time is money & money is money
The ins & outs

7. HUFFLEPUFF You might belong in Hufflepuff
We (really really) care what you think.
You might belong in Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil;

8. Which equals approximately 1% of the population of Yellowknife)
Three rounds
( )
235 participants
Which equals approximately 1% of the population of Yellowknife)
Waitlists of over 5 pages (6 teams per page = 30+ teams waiting)

14. Some things I adjusted based on feedback from patrons, staff & “listening in”
Hide instructions in the room about how to use the “high school locker” lock
Added a red herring related to the “piece of cake” clue
Told them to open the first scroll to get started
Added a kitchen timer to the room
Took all their cell phones and kept them with me in the “magic cell phone basket”
Added another word to the spell to lengthen their time in the room (added about 5-10 minutes approx.)
Realized we could charge for this! But of course, we didn’t charge for this. Partnered with Avens (assisted living home for elders in the community) to buy them a book cart for their Book Lovers Program

16. Other themed escape rooms people requested:
Hobbit
Percy Jackson
Alice in Wonderland
More Harry Potter!
Scooby Doo
Twilight
Hunger Games
Avengers
Star Wars
Superheroes
How to Train Your Dragon
Mortal Instruments
Marvel

17. We (really really) care what you think Time is money & money is money
MYSTERY!
Why make an escape room?
We (really really) care what you think
Time is money & money is money
The ins & outs

18. RAVENCLAW Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, If you’ve a ready mind,
The ins & outs.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you’ve a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;

19. How on earth did I create a one hour escape room without ever having been to an escape room or reading Harry Potter?

20. From a Programming Librarian webinar

35. We (really really) care what you think Time is money & money is money
MYSTERY!
Why make an escape room?
We (really really) care what you think
Time is money & money is money
The ins & outs

36. SLYTHERIN Or perhaps in Slytherin, You’ll make your real friends.
We (really really) care what you think.
Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You’ll make your real friends.
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.

37. Breakaway Edu Kit: $150
Harry Potter Wand: $20
Little Golden Snitch: $5
Bunch of things I found in the library: FREE
Two baskets I found at the swap shop in the mall and tried to buy: ALSO FREE
TOTAL: $175

39. We (really really) care what you think Time is money & money is money
MYSTERY!
Why make an escape room?
We (really really) care what you think
Time is money & money is money
The ins & outs

40. MYSTERY TIME!

42. 2. Straight Outta Azkaban
TOP FIVE TEAM NAMES
1. Snapes on a Plane
2. Straight Outta Azkaban
3. Granger Danger
4. Snitches Get Stitches
5. Siriusly?
Honourable Mention: Granger Zone

43. We (really really) care what you think Time is money & money is money
MYSTERY!
Why make an escape room?
We (really really) care what you think
Time is money & money is money
The ins & outs

44. Megan Clark
Public Services Librarian
Yellowknife Public Library
House: Ravenclaw