For decades, James Mann was the photographer for The Winchester Sun.

He photographed all major news stories, and on a weekly basis charmed and delighted readers with candid street photos of children playing, neighbors talking, merchants selling — anything that caught his talented eye. It was always a pleasure to see his photographs.

Since he was interested in everything that happened in Winchester, he naturally photographed Halloween celebrations, children trick-or-treating, decorations on homes and special Halloween events held at the Leeds or on Main Street.

A couple of years ago, James generously gave the library a group of his Halloween photographs and they are now on display in the reference section.

You will see the whole gamut of Halloween moods from comic pictures of children delighted by ghoul costumes to snarling monsters to an absolutely eerie and inexplicable shot of a group of boaters being attacked by what appears to be a merman. Begging the questions: Boat? Merman? In Winchester? Ah, Halloween’s an unco time.

Next time you come to the library, wander on back to the reference section to take a look at James’ wonderful photographs. You may recognize one of your friends. You may recognize yourself. You’ll definitely see how much fun and how exciting it is to celebrate Halloween in Winchester.

After you’re open and attuned (as they say) to the spirit world, float on over to the octagonal table on the left hand side of circulation and get a gander of the phantasmagorical mix of Halloween books circulation manager Lynn Wills has on display.

For the next couple of weeks, that table will be a treasure trove of Halloween books. 

At the moment, you can find books like “Classic Tales of Horror,” Shirley Jackson’s complete works and her biography, Hans Holzer’s “Where the Ghosts Are: The Ultimate Guide to Haunted Houses,” and “The Mammoth Book of Haunted House Stories.”

There is also a book titled “The Ghost Photographer,” by Julie Rieger, a movie executive at 20th Century Fox who photographed ghosts. The jacket cover to this book says it “will have you roaring with laughter and questioning the nature of the world around you.” That sounds just right for October reading.

“Roaring with laughter and questioning the nature of the world around you,” pretty well sums up Ron Kibbey’s comedy classic set for 6 p.m. Tuesday. Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein. More about that next week; just a teaser, now.

Come to the library to get your grave groove on.

Events this week?

— At 2 p.m. Monday, chair toga. The class is taught by Kathy Howard, a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. $5 per class.

— At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Tim Janes’ Sherlock Holmes Reading Group discusses the best Holmes novel, “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Reading copies available at the Circulation desk.

— At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Winchester Writer’s Group. For new or established writers.

— At 2 p.m. Wednesday, Kentucky Picture Show presents a 2018 film about the final days in the life of William Shakespeare.

— At 7  p.m. Wednesday, trivia challenges at the Engine House Pizza Pub.

— At 9:15 a.m. Thursday, gentle yoga taught by Kathy Howard, a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. $5 per class.

— At 10 a.m. Friday, Write Local. Where the uncanny becomes grammatical.

Here’s to a chilling (temperature wise) week.