Classic Game
Learn movement, searching, room tiles, lost pages, Fortitude and the core tension of survival and betrayal.
Learn the FlowRules and player support
Rules, How to Play and Mobile Player Aids
Learn Horror in the Library quickly, download the rules, keep mobile reference guides at the table and get support for translations, retailers and new players.
Classic Game
Advanced Game
Expansion Rules
Mobile References
Translation Support
House Rules
Download rules
Download the Rulebooks
Start with the core rulebook, then add expansion rules and quick references as your group explores more of the Library.
Core rulebook
Everything you need to enter the Library.
The main rulebook explains setup, turn flow, room tiles, searching, Pages, Fortitude, Blessings, Curses, monsters and how to win. Download it before your first session, or keep it on a phone or tablet during play.
Core rules
Classic game
Advanced play
Mobile friendly
Advanced Game
Add asymmetrical character features, unique blessings, curses and more tactical decision-making.
Advanced PlayExpansion Rules
Use expansion rules for Secret Rooms, Cabinet of Fears, Apparatus and other ways to deepen the Library.
View ExpansionsLearn in stages
Start Simple, Then Open the Library
Horror in the Library can be taught in layers. Start with the Classic Game, then add advanced characters and expansions as your group becomes more confident.
Classic Game
Start here. Explore rooms, search for pages, avoid danger and learn the core rhythm of the Library.
Advanced Game
Add character-specific abilities, stronger identity and deeper tactical choices.
Secret Rooms
Add the Kitchen and Laboratory, with patrol characters, higher stakes and new rewards.
Cabinet of Fears
Use special fear cards to gain powerful advantages, if you are brave enough to face the Cabinet.
Apparatus Co-op
Turn the game into a co-operative survival challenge against the monsters overrunning the Library.
Quick turn guide
Move, Search, Risk and Survive
A simple overview of the actions and decisions players make during a game.
Move
Travel between room tiles, position yourself for searches and avoid dangerous routes.
Rotate Rooms
The Library shifts. Room orientation and route choices can change the board state.
Search
Look for lost pages, items, secrets, Blessings and Curses — but searching can make things worse.
Manage Fortitude
Your Fortitude affects what you can risk, recover from and survive.
Face Monsters
Monsters block plans, create pressure and turn safe routes into dangerous choices.
Escape
Collect what you need, survive the night and reach the end before the Library consumes you.
Optional house rule for smaller games
The Desperate Search
This optional house rule is designed for small two or three player games, especially when players only need to collect one or two Secrets and a needed Page card appears to be locked away in another player’s hand.
If a player believes they are unable to obtain a Page card they need because it is held by another player, they may perform a Desperate Search at a drawer.
2–3 players
Small Secret games
Uses 1 Search action
Drawer action
Page exchange style
How it works
- The player performs the Desperate Search at a drawer.
- This uses one Search action.
- The player must discard either two Page cards of the same colour or three Page cards of different colours.
- Instead of drawing a coin from the Blessings and Curses bag, the player may look through either the Blessings deck or the Curses deck and choose one card.
- The chosen card is taken into their hand and may be played according to the normal Blessings and Curses rules.
- The discarded Page cards are returned to their appropriate Page decks and shuffled.
This uses the same basic exchange logic as the Page Cards Exchange system at Bookcases, but applies it to a drawer search so smaller games do not stall when a critical Page card is unavailable.
Mobile player aids
Curse References and Quick Rules
These files are designed to be downloaded to a mobile phone or tablet and used during play without passing the rulebook around the table.
Main Game and Collector’s Expansion
Curse Card References
These are reference files for the Curse Cards in the Main Game and the Collector’s Expansion. They tell players what each Curse does, when it applies and how to resolve it during play.
Table-side rules summary
Quick Rules Reference
A fast table-side guide to turn flow, common actions, symbols and core rules. Designed for quick checking on a phone or tablet while the game is underway.
Common questions
Rules Questions and Answers
Useful reminders for the areas players most often want to check during a game.
When do Curses apply?
Use the Curse reference files when a Curse is drawn or triggered. They clarify timing, effect and resolution.
What is Fortitude?
Fortitude represents your condition in the Library. It affects what you can survive, recover from and risk.
How do monsters affect play?
Monsters create pressure, block plans and may force players to rethink routes, searches and alliances.
Can I start without expansions?
Yes. Start with the Classic Game, then add advanced features and expansions once the group is ready.
What is The Desperate Search?
An optional small-game house rule. At a drawer, a player may spend one Search action and discard matching Page cards to choose one Blessing or Curse card instead of drawing from the bag.
Translation and community support
Request a translation
Interested in rules or mobile references in another language? Tell us which language would help your group, retailer or community.
Ready to play?
Got the rules? Now enter the Library.
Learn the game, keep the mobile references open during play and buy direct when you are ready. Direct website prices include VAT/taxes and shipping for UK, EU and USA customers.