Compiled Case Report
Phoenixville Library Investigation, 8-12-06

Date of Investigation: 8-12-06. Time: 7pm-11:15pm
Location: Library, Phoenixville, PA.
Purpose of Investigation: To investigate the reported claims of paranormal activity as witnessed by various members of the staff and patrons of the library over the years.
Weather Conditions:
Clear
Temperature: 67°F. Feels like: 67°F. Chance of precipitation: 0% Dew Point: 47°F Humidity: 50% Winds: From NW 1 mph
Solar X-rays: normal
Geomagnetic Activity: Quiet
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous, 84% of Full.

Investigators present: Michelle, Isaac, Carol, Kim, Kat, Ruth, Cindy and Mark
Observers present: Ryan and Ron, film crew for documentary. Karin Williams (reporter from the Phoenix), Barry (photographer from Phoenix), John Kelley (library director)

 

Equipment used:

Evidence Collected:
There is a total of about 14 hours of video footage collected, with an additional 2 hours captured by Ryan; our film documenter. The 10 hours of overnight footage captured by our Infrared DVR camera revealed some orb-like activity early in the footage and then quieted down. The time-lapse camera that was stationed in the stairwell leading to the attic caught some orb-like activity as well, and there were several interesting shadows that were captured. There was a window directly behind the camera overhead and when cars would pass by it would throw an interesting reflection on the wall, due to this fact it makes the footage inconclusive. There was 1.5 hours of footage captured by a stationary camera in the children’s library during the investigation. (nothing conclusive). There was an hour of footage captured by Kim’s camera. (this is the camera that captured the footage of the book flying across the shelf and into the floor).
There was about 3.5 hours of audio captured during various EVP sessions. There was not anything of interest revealed in any of that footage.
Photographic Evidence:
Camera: Olympus SP350. 8 mpx
Total Picturs: (103)
Total pictures of interest: (12)

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 3100
Total Pictures: 342
Total Pictures of interest: 38

Camera: Canon Optura 400 Digital camera
Total Pictures: 142
Total Pictures of interest: 15

Camera: Canon Rebel G 35mm film camera
Total Pictures: 36.
Total Pictures of interest: (0).

The slide show “proof positive?” on the DVD is a collection of pictures taken during the investigation and displays those pictures that are of greater interest.

Investigation Summary:

The team arrived for a quick briefing outside of the library at 6:45pm. We discussed the plan for the start of the investigation. We entered the library at about 7pm and established an area for our equipment in the Carnegie room. Katharine began to collect and clean all of the cameras, while Carol and Kim began to create floor plans and take base readings in the main room. Cindy and Ruth were in the children’s library creating floor plans and taking base readings as well. A walk through of the library was conducted by John Kelley and was accompanied by Mark, Michelle and Isaac.
The formal investigation began after completion of the walk through and the floor plans and base readings. The group was split into pairs. Carol and Kim, Cindy and Ruth, Michelle and Katharine and Mark and Isaac. The following are excerpts from individual investigator reports of several of our investigators.


Kim Observations

Carol and I started out by mapping the entire floor of the library. We also took EMF readings with the new Digital EMF Meters. Higher readings where at the door way near the grandfather clock, and along the wall past the said clock. Please see Carols report for specific readings, she was noting them while I was reading them out loud. Actual investigation started about 5 minutes after 8pm. Carol, myself and Ryan started out by sitting at a round table near the center of the Library, and doing EVP recordings using both our recorders. Carol then went upstairs to the attic with Mark, while Ryan and I stayed put and quiet. When Carol returned about 10 minutes later, Carol, myself and Karen went to the computer room. Carol sat inside the Computer room, and used the EVP and EMF meters. I stationed my video camera outside of the computer room, and began to record. Time 8:15pm. Both EVP recorders in the computer room, as I stood up from setting up the recorder, I felt a slight push to my back at my left shoulder. I also used my EMF digital meter outside of the computer room where the recorder was. "Can you tell us your name, make contact with us, give us a sign of your pressence, reading of 5.6, do you want us to leave? Are you happy that someone is here with
you tonight? Meter reading started to dissipate, Carol asked to tap or make a noise.
EMF readings fluctuating, then dropping down to 0.5.

Next to the Foyer….

In the Foyer, Carol, myself, Barry and Karin…I set up the recorder to view up the stairwell to the attic. Time 8:48pm, temp is 82 degrees. EMF 1.0 at this time. 2.5, 3.0, 3.3, 3.2, "show us a sign of your presence"..EMF dropped slightly. Compass steady at 79 degrees at 8:50pm. Seemed to be moving, 3.4, Carol asked for knock on door or make a noise. I had ELF behind recorder, and it briefly spiked to danger, then back to caution.
Almost as if something went up the stairs, or down the stairs and into the foyer.
4.4, 4.5, near Barry at the door, 4.1, asked Barry if he felt anything, he said no. Reading started to drop. Heard a tapping noise, seemed to come from upstairs in the attic. "If you're here, let us know, if you want us to leave you alone, you gotta do something to let us know"….3.4, 3.5 pressure around Karin on her arm. Temp 81 degrees, Carol has 83 degrees at 8:57pm.

To the conference room….

Recorder set up outside of Conf room, Carol inside with Karin, using EMF, EVP
I heard a loud deep sigh behind me and to the left, Carol took a pic. I walked over and
saw Ryans dad and asked if he sighed, and he said no. I started my EVP recorder
over by the doorway and left it there (door way to my left away from the conf room)

On to the modern area of the Library….Just Carol and Myself.
Started EVP and EMF, video camera set up at the left side of end of aisle way, last row of books, filming straight ahead to the outside wall. Show us a sign of your presence,
anyone here with us. 9:28pm 80degrees, EMF 3.0, something touched my right hand and something moved Carols compass gauge. Carol experiencing a cold spot. Carol asking to knock a book off the shelf, any book. EMF 1.0. Touch one of us again, I was touched again on the same wrist. Thank you, can you tell us your name? Carol felt something on the top of her head…Come on move a book or knock one off the shelf, we know you can do it. 9:30, 79 degrees. We know you are here, we don’t mean you any harm, how about knocking off a book, take a book and toss it on the floor……Don’t be afraid of us…Knock a book off the shelf for us, what is your fav book, what do you like to read, tell us what you like to read. We both heard a noise, thank you, can you make another noise (noise toward bathrooms to our right). Carol taking pics and I was using EMF meter. Carol and I at the end of the aisle on the outside wall… We found 2 books lying on the floor, "Virginia Wolf" and "Thoreau". "did you put the books on the floor?" 1.4 meter reading on books on floor… My arms felt cold from elbow to shoulder the entire time we were back at the last aisle. "Can you put another book on the floor? you choose the book and the aisle, don’t be afraid of us…
9:38 pm (verified by video recording) loud crash….1.2, 1.4, 1.2, 1.3 loud crash happens….
Carol and I go to investigate and found a book lying on the floor around the corner to our left, down the aisle were the video camera was at the other end…0.4 reading on the book on floor. Secrets of Qui Chong was the book, number 613 something on binder. Carol and I trying to figure out where the book came from. We thought it just fell from a closer shelf. 613.71 was the number on the binder of the book. We started to see where the book belonged. Ryan’s dad appeared, and scared us, then John K appeared and started to help us to figure out where the book belonged. Carol and I explaining to both guys what happened….very low whisper (I know)…wasn’t Carol or Myself (EVP recording).
We explained to John where we found the book, and he found where the book belonged.
There was a book halfway out from the shelf, where the flying book must have been removed from the shelving. It was about the second or third shelf from the bottom. We did not see the book flying thru the air until I watched the video the next morning. We went over and replayed the video camera, but we couldn’t really tell cause it was too dark. Then we were explaining to Ryan’s dad what happened. I tried to call Mark on the walkie talkie, but he did not answer.

Carol, myself, Mark and Karin went downstairs to the children’s library.
EMF, EVP and set up my video camera at the entrance to the security monitor. Mark demonstrated how when you go thru security, the sensor field is broken and it beeps. A few times Mark went thru and it beeped, then it beeped again without anyone there. Something was following him. Upon review of the video camera the next day, the one time when Mark went thru and it beeped a second time, my video camera went out of focus. Not much going on in children’s library, kinda quiet. Mark did point out the security device on the table was giving off a very high EMF reading of 200.

Went back upstairs, and Carol, myself and Mark went to the attic.
I took my video camera and tripod with me. I did not like the attic immediately when I was climbing the steps. It was very hot, stuffy and oppressed feeling. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, and I followed Mark up the steps to the top area. I felt really uneasy then. I recorded a bit on the video, and Mark explained where we were and what we were seeing. He wanted Carol and I to stay, but I couldn’t. I felt like I couldn’t breathe and was having a panic attack. I felt bad being there .I had to leave, so Carol and I left and I almost ran down Carol going down the steps. I went down and didn’t want to look back.
We all gathered near the Library front desk to do a vigil, but it was getting late and Mark
was busy setting up the overnite cameras. We packed up our equipment and where done
for the evening..

Cindy Observations

Preliminary:

Ruth Himes and I arrived approximately 6:40 PM and met other CCPRS members along the park on Second Avenue.

6:45 PM - Mark addressed the members outside the library and went over protocols as well as assigning tasks to various members. Introductions made with Karin Williams, reporter for the Phoenix, Barry Taglieber, photographer for the phoenix. John Kelley, the Director of the library arrived and unlocked the doors for us to enter.

Gathered equipment and set up a base in the first floor main section of the library. We quickly put together the items needed for floor plans and started our work. Ruth and I did the basement, Carol and Kim did the first floor floor plans. When working on floor plans at the desk in the basement, I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye to the left. When I looked nothing was there. Ruth and I both felt that we were being watched. Completed floor plans at 8:00 PM. Ruth and I went upstairs to get equipment to start investigating the basement.

We set down at one of the tables and started doing EVP’s at 8:26 PM to 8:45 PM. Ended EVP’s. Temp 79 degrees.

8:45 PM Started moving around the basement checking readings - walked to back storage room. At back stairs got 2.4 - 2.5 EMF readings.

Went upstairs at 8:55. Michelle and Kat were walking around in the basement and holding vigil.

First place we went upstairs was new section of aisles past front desk to the right. Aisle along bathrooms, water fountain and entrance to John’s office. We recorded 1.5 - 1.6 EMF readings. John approached Ruth and I and told the story of the old man, scruffy, with a white beard, holding two bags that John saw after a book (101 Careers) fell off the shelf - a shelf that was packed tightly with books and also has a back so that no one could reach through from the back to push the book out from the other side. As the story goes, John picked up the book went and went around the end of the shelf and saw the old man. He asked him if this was his book that dropped. The man shook his head “no”. Seconds later after John came back around to the aisle where the book fell from to return it, the man was gone. The clerks at the desk didn’t remember seeing this man and looked very doubtful at John. All this took place 6 years ago.

Ruth and I weaved through all the aisles in this section taking readings starting at .2 to 1.2.

John asked us to take readings and investigate his office. Readings ranged from 1.5 to 2.2 at his desk and 2.4 on his chair.

We then moved to the office next door - reading ranged from 2.6 to 3.1 down the center of the room.

John informed us that this was the office of a lady that had passed away in May. She worked for the library 20+ years. He asked if her presence was still here. I told him that when someone spends as much time as she did in one place they leave an imprint on that environment and its likely why we got higher readings in there.

Ruth and I headed to the computer room at 9:20 PM. John said that the ghost of a man and dog were very upset when the computer room was constructed in 1999.

As I entered the computer room, I started calling out EMF readings to Ruth. It felt like the “energy” was retreating as I walked further into the room. Readings like 3.0 to 3.5 in the chair and then gone.

9:26 PM - I started asked questions. “Do you like books?” And “Can you make them move?” “Move the headphones” - “Can you move the wire?” EMF readings were 3.0 to 3.3.

9:27 - Ruth felt a brush against the hair on her left forearm.


Readings 2.9 - 3.0. Hard drive on 2nd computer to the left had bluish flashing light coming from the back.

In front of me the reading was 3.5 and then gone.

We then started towards the reading room. I stopped at the front doors that lead to the entrance to the attic to take a couple of pictures - batteries dead in camera.

Went into reading room .4 to 1.4 left to change batteries. Steady .9 Ruth registered a rise in EMF from 1.0 to 1.5 and a drop in temperature 87.8 to 84.1. Ruth felt a chill on her back. I came back into the room at 9:43 and asked, Can I take your picture?” EMF 1.5 - 84.1 degrees. EMF fluctuated from 1.4 to 1.6, temperature from 84.1 to 82.4. At the door, EMF was 2.3, felt like chasing the “energy” again.

Went into little storage room to left of main doors. EMF 2.1 to .7.

Again chasing “energy” back to computer room 3.0 to 3.9 EMF readings.

We met with Mark and asked if he could take us up to the attic. He asked Isaac and Ryan to escort us up there. The steps were indeed steep and windy, dirty and everything everyone said about it. I took a few pictures from the very top by the rafters and only stayed a few minutes there.

10:20 back into computer room. EMF 2.0 - 3.9. Steady right in front of me. Temp 83.5.

Back to reading room. EMF’s dropped 2.7 to 2.0

Someone then informed us that a book was thrown in the corner behind the computers. We headed there immediately. Kat was already investigating. I tried talking out loud and taunting the “spirit” to repeat what happened. “I dare you to throw a book at me”, I called it a “Chicken
S_ _ _”. Nothing happened.

We started to pack up and get ready for the vigil, too late to do. Accompanied John downstairs with Ryan and Ruth for John to lock up - John didn’t want to go alone. Ryan tried to re-create “follow the leader” through the surveillance gate. Was able to have it happen about 3 or 4 times. Went back upstairs and assisted Mark in re-positioning of the camera behind desk in the area where the book took flight.

We left library at 11:00 PM. Mark had a briefing outside for approximately 10-15 minutes. We then left for home at approximately 11:20 PM.





Kat Observations


After thoroughly cleaning all camera lenses and checking batteries and installing tapes I did a sweep through the stacks. In the reference section the ELF reported activity. In the circulation office we smelled something strong. I cracked the door open and found some cleaning products. We took some photos and conducted a quick EVP. Michelle and I headed downstairs to the children’s section where apparently there is an apparition of a young girl. The ELF did not pick up anything. The downstairs has a fun and exciting feel to it with all the fun decorations, but I did not experience any paranormal phenomena. There is a new office that has been constructed. Michelle and I sat in there for a bit and took some photos and conducted an EVP. Michelle and I along with the reporter Karin went up to the attic. Once upstairs in the attic I immediately had a strong reaction to how dense and hot the air is up there. I heard the sound of someone whistling, but no one in our group had whistled. We could hear some kids walking by outside, yet the whistling sound came from within the attic itself. We conducted an EVP. I asked for a sign of a presence, a tap, a knock, a scratch, a touch. Every once & awhile I smelled something like cederwood. I thought I also smelled a sulphur smell, and Karin reported smelling it before I said anything. I asked if there is a sulphur springs in the area and there is not, in fact the water here seems to be hard water. I felt sick while up in the attic and unfortunately due to the fact that the attic made me feel so awful, I am wondering if what I sensed has contributed to my current situation. From research that I have conducted, cederwood can cause miscarriages in early pregnancy.

In the back stacks near the poetry and drama I managed to get some time alone and did a sweep with the ELF and conducted some EVPs. As I was walking I heard someone walking behind me and the ELF picked up on something. I asked other investigators later and no one was in that area. I heard movement, turned around to see a rather large book start to pull out and then stop. I took a photo.

I also conducted some EVPs with Michelle and the reporter Karin in the conference room on the right hand side. Questions included: Please give me a sign of your presence, knock, tap, or scratch on the table.

Carol Observations

While the tour was going on, Kim, myself, Cindy, and Ruth broke off into 2 teams to work on the floor plans and base readings. Cindy and Ruth worked in the basement level (the children's library), and Kim and I worked on the 1st floor (main level).

At 8:00pm, the lights were turned off and the teams started the investigations. Kim, myself, Karen, and Barry started our investigation on the 1st floor in the main room. We sat at one of the tables and took photos and started some EVP and EMF work. Everything was quiet and there were no fluxuations of the readings. The base readings for EMF in this area were between 1.5 and 2.0.

After about 10 minutes, Mark and I went up to the attic. Mark was setting up a motion detector camera at the top of the stairs while I took some EMF readings and pictures. As I approached a staircase leading to the “ceiling” over the main room, I had an EMF reading of 1.7. I stepped up 2 steps and my EMF reading went up to 4.5. At the same time, I felt a cold finger poke me in my right shoulder blade. The finger remained there for approx. 2 -3 seconds, then I felt it lift slowly off me. At the same time, I told Mark that something was touching me and that my reading had gone from 1.7 to 4.5.

After the camera was set up in the attic, we returned to the main floor. Kim, myself, Karen, and Barry went into the computer room located in the corner of the main room on the 1st floor. The time was 8:34pm and the base temp. was 80 degrees. We sat all around the room and turned on the tape recorder and EMF meters. Kim also set up a Sony HI 8 video camera on a tripod. The base readings on EMF in this room were 1.0 to 2.4. The following are the questions that we asked:

1). Is there anyone here that would like to make contact with us?
2). If someone is here with us, show us a sign of your presence
3). Is there anyone in the room with us?
4). Can you give us a sign of your presence?
5). Can you tell us your name? EMF reading 5.6
6). Do you want us to leave? EMF reading 5.5
7). Are you happy that someone is here with you? EMF readings 5.1 down
To .05
8). If you’re with us, can you tap on the wall, give us a sign? EMF to 2.0.

We ended our investigation is the computer room at 8:45pm. Temp. was 80 degrees.



At 8:48pm, our group moved into the vestibule area located in the front part of the main library. There is a large archway with double doors that leads to a small room with access to the attic and doors that lead outside. The temp was 82 degrees and the base EMF reading was 1.0. Kim set up her Sony HI 8 video camera at the base of the spiral wooden staircase leading to the attic. The air in this area was heavy. I turned on the recorder and started to ask questions:

1). Show us a sign of your presence.
2). Is there anyone here with us?
3). Can you knock on the door…make a noise?
4). Do you want us to leave? (the walkie talkie rang at that moment)
5). If you’re here with us, do something. (heard a tapping noise from above)

The EMF readings during the questions went up from 1.0 (base) to 4.5 in the center of the room. The temp dropped from 82 degrees to 79 degrees. Karen (the reporter from The Phoenix), reported feeling a cold/tingling sensation on her right arm.

We also all heard a dragging noise from up above in the attic. We ended the investigation in the vestibule area at 8:58pm Temp. 81 degrees.


At 9:00pm we entered the Conference Room. The temp. was 81 degrees. This room is located in the front of the library next to the archway/double doors. The base EMF reading was 2.0.

Kim was setting up her Sony HI 8 video camera in the doorway when she reported being pushed from behind. The EMF reading then went from 3.5 to 4.4. I started to take some digital pictures and captured 2 orbs on the window pane. I also took a picture of Kim and captured an orb on the top of the bookcase just outside the room.

I asked the following questions:

1). Is there anybody in this room with us?
2). If there is, please give us a sign. EMF reading 4.0
3). Can you knock on the table? Move a chair?
4). Can you tell us your name?
5). Are you a man?

There was a general feeling of calm in this room. We wrapped it up in this room and headed to the newer part of the Library.

I met with Mark and he asked if our group could check out the front/newer section of the Library. He said that the back left corner was a “Hot” spot for activity and to concentrate on that area.

At 9:22pm Kim and I went into the newer section of the Library. After chatting with Mark, we decided to set up Kim’s Sony HI 8 camera in an aisle on the far left side facing towards the back area. The beginning temp was 81 degrees and the base EMF reading was 0.1.

Kim and I walked around taking EMF readings and also EVP’s. After covering the initial area where there are computer desks, we decide to walk up and down each aisle using our meters and asking questions. We went back and forth through each aisle. We then stopped in the last aisle when we noticed 2 books lying on the floor. We checked them out and left them where we found them. We started to ask questions.

1). Is there anyone here with us?
2). Did you put these books on the floor?
3). If you did, can you move another book? Throw it, Toss it?
4). What is your favorite book in the library?
5). Can you give us a sign that you’re here?

At this time, we heard a loud crash. We worked our way around the end of the aisle using our flash lights to check out the area. We then came across a book on the floor that wasn’t there before. I took some pictures of it before we picked it up. As we were examining the book, we tried to figure out where it came from. We looked at the catalog number on the binder and started to walk down the aisle to see if it belonged there. After a few minutes, we were joined my the Library director, John Kelley. We briefly told him what had happened and said that we were trying to locate where the book belonged. He looked at the number and we all continued to walk down one aisle after another to locate the place where the book came from . We walked back 3 aisles and found the location for the book. It came from the next to the bottom shelf. Where the book was removed, the next book was pulled ½ way out. The books on that shelf were very tight, so it would have taken quite a bit to pull the book out. I took a picture of John pointing to where the book came from.

We then completed our investigation of the newer section of the Library. We re-joined everyone in the main section. Mark asked if we’d go downstairs to check out the security entrance and steps being heard. Mark led us downstairs and as you enter the door to the children’s library, you have to pass through a security gate. Mark demonstrated walking through and nothing happened. He then passed through and asked if “they” could follow him through. After he walked through, you could here the clicking noise of someone going through the gate. Kim set up her video camera and we each took turns going through. Every so often, we would here the 2nd clicking indicating that someone had followed through. While reviewing Kim’s video, after Mark goes through the gate several times and others do the same, Mark asks for them to follow him through and he walks through and as you hear the 2nd set of clicks go through the video goes out of focus…just at that moment. Then it clears up.

We walked around the Children’s Library and took EMF readings. Everything seemed very quiet and relaxed there.

We then gathered upstairs in the main room and started to gather our equipment for our 11pm departure time.

Departed the Library 11:15pm