The Library Vault

“What are you most grateful for right now?” This question was the spark that motivated us to launch the Middletown Strong podcast in February of 2021. The inspiration to start a library podcast emerged within my first year of joining the Russell Library. I became the Executive Assistant here at the library in February of 2020 after leaving my job as a Grade 4 Teacher; I certainly didn’t anticipate the world coming to a screeching halt 4 weeks into my new position. For me, reflecting back on the past nearly three years, is akin to stumbling through a dense fog of fear, anxiety, and confusion, while clad in sweatpants. What I do clearly recall, however, was a desperate need to cling to something positive. In the midst of so much grief and rage, I needed to be reminded of the best parts of humanity. I longed to feel connected even when it was impossible to be physically present for each other. I had a sneaking suspicion that my feelings were not unique.  

When I brought the idea of a podcast to Director Ramona Burkey, she mentioned that a fellow staff member had expressed interest in the same idea. Before long, I was connecting with librarian Kim, who then reached out to fellow librarians and Russell staff members Ayanna, Christy, and Kate. From there, Middletown Strong: Looking Up with Russell Library was officially born. As we sat down together for the first time, we talked about our shared experience of disconnection and repeatedly came back to the importance of community. How could we as a public library show up for our community? How could we support the struggle of local individuals, businesses and organizations, while also conveying a message of hope? The answer turned out to be quite simple… We let them tell their stories. 

As a public library we are quite clearly in the business of stories. Our walls are beautifully lined with them and what we don’t physically house can often be found digitally. Through these stories, one can travel through history, cultures, even worlds! There is no doubt that librarians love books, we love to touch them and talk about them, we love to share them, but libraries are not, and have never been, simply places to store books. In fact, the stories we cherish most are the ones happening under our own roof. More than anything, libraries are about people and their communities. 

With community, connection, and gratitude as our guidepost, the podcast team set out to build a show around the people that make Middletown, Middletown! In our first two seasons, we interviewed a cross section of community members: dancers, students, restaurateurs, community activists, professors, shop owners, parents, school administrators, veterans, authors, artists, LGBTQIA+ leaders, and social service directors. We wanted to learn who these people were, what they were doing and, you guessed it, what they were grateful for during an incredibly difficult time. Amazingly, we learned that they were thankful for quite a lot, not least of all, the Middletown community.

As the world continues to mold into a new post-pandemic shape, we venture into our third season of the podcast. Our team has blossomed to include Shannon and Stephanie; Jae also shared his voice with us in Season 2, but has since moved on from Russell Library. Our lineup of guests will continue to evolve, but our show’s theme of gratitude and community remains constant. We whole-heartedly believe that storytelling is the key to making our community even stronger, Middletown Strong, if you will. 

We knew that Season 3 had to start stronger than ever, so we sought out one of the toughest women we could find. Marcelina broke through barrier after barrier to create a better life for her family, taking a chance on a career that would allow her to raise her four children during a time when opportunities were scarce. She entered a male-dominated field being told she wouldn’t last a week on the job, instead, she retired with accolades after 27 years! Can you guess Marcelina’s field of work? Be sure to tune in and hear her story for yourself. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any of your other favorite platforms. In the meantime we’d love to know, “What are you most grateful for?” 

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/

– Cate T., Executive Assistant