How to Spot a Serial Killer

Reference wanted to write a full LibGuide on the topic of serial killers, but after going over their notes we found that it was kind of a "how to" guide. Creeped out, we compromised on this listicle. The following are a few things to notice in your loved one or neighbor before the chainsaw comes ripping through the wall.

Antisocial

Look, we hate people, too. Nothing wrong with that. There's a lot of them and most of them are unpleasant. They want things, want to do things, and want you to do the same. It's bullshit. 

That's not what we're talking about. This is about that boyfriend on Reddit that got mad at the neighborhood kids playing ball in his yard so he pooped on it. That kind of antisocial, harmful wildly inappropriate behavior. When someone goes to extreme lengths to repel others, maybe listen and start packing.

Arson

Burning things is a fun activity. Even though the children's librarian is in her forties, she giggles and pokes a campfire like a raving madman loving life. However, were she to take that love of fire to, say, a dumpster, we might start to worry. Burning trash in the backyard, dangerous but just stupid. Burning a Toyota while giggling… hide the hammers.

Animal abuse

Come'on. If we had to tell you this, then maybe think about your own behavior.

Lives at a summer camp

Some folks like nature. They live out in the middle of no where and like to share that by being guides or camp medics or grow fabulous gardens of smokeable medicine while hiding from the government. We don't judge those people. 

That hermit living in a moss-covered hovel with a series of tunnels and a deep knowledge of machete maintenance ain't one of those people. Steer clear.

Victim of teenage bullying

Once again, a single item on this list is not up for concern. Everyone had some assholes in their past that were mean, said horrible shit, maybe recorded a video of you jumping off the high dive and losing your shorts and called you "library stump chump" for the rest of your high school so you leaned into that and became a librarian and fuck you, Rachel.

The key here is "victim." Some damage got done. Maybe it was the loss of a limb, loved one, or life. That person has a real reason to hunt a pack of losers down and carve them one by one like a Rachel-sized turkey. Maybe just don't laugh at someone else's bad day.

Love scorned

Kinda like the one above, but all creepy and stalkery. Look, we can't control how someone else feels. Love and lust and everything in between are very complex emotions to both give and receive. That being said, some people take a firm "no" as a challenge.

Others take a firm "no" as a violent reaction to their person. 

Yet still others take a "you must be kidding" with the same energy that the circulation librarian takes when they get stuck on the desk and everyone eats the birthday cake without saving them a piece and it was really good. Like, from the bakery down the road, the one that makes its own chocolate. She was not happy.

Point is, for most of these but the animal abuse one, be kind and compassionate to those around you. Everyone has bad days, but a few really enjoy those bad days.