Photo by CoCo Walters / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

Cody Souther, 8, left, dressed as a robber, sits with his Carson Souther, 7 dressed as a bat for a snack during "Boofest" at the Rolling Hills Public Library Saturday afternoon. Participants of all ages got to trick-or-treat through the library, listen to scary stories and make halloween-themed crafts.

Hundreds of children had no need to fear on Halloween at the Rolling Hills Consolidated Library.

Both Rolling Hills branches, in Savannah and on the North Belt Highway, became haunted libraries on Saturday afternoon, offering an assortment of treats and activities.

The North Belt branch had about 400 visitors for its Halloween activities. Parents arrived in droves, along with their children dressed up as everything from “Star Wars” characters to Kansas City Royals players.

Patsey McGuire, a comptroller for the library and board member of the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph, which sponsored the celebration, said the first-time event was meant to give parents a chance to get candy with their kids in one place.

“We just really wanted to have a safe Halloween party for the kids, and the Kiwanis Club is all about kids, so this is a perfect fit,” she said.

The usually normal library was slightly transformed with a darker aesthetic. A dimly lit entryway was lined with illuminated Halloween decorations, leading to the main section of the library, where kids were given various treats, ranging from candy to toys to books.

Throughout the three hours of the party, children were treated to scary stories in the library’s “haunted house,” as well as craft projects, a fortune teller and food.

“I tried to hit the whole gamut,” Ms. McGuire said.

Some parents, such as Aisha Dydell, with her daughter, Tanyah, said they enjoyed that the library put on a safe, contained event for children on Halloween, though they still planned on trick-or-treating later Saturday night.

Shay Mace said she brought her five kids to make sure they have a safe, fun time on the ghoulish holiday.

“It seems safe. It’s the library — the library’s always a great place for everybody,” she said.

Due to the good response, Ms. McGuire said she hopes to turn the event into a yearly party for kids.

“It’s been so successful that I think there’s no problem with it becoming an annual event,” she said.

Andrew Gaug can be reached

at andrewgaug@npgco.com.