The Library Vault

by Ramona Burkey

October 20-26, 2024 is National Friends of Libraries Week.

Have you ever attended a free concert at the Russell Library? 

Have you checked out a pass for free or reduced admission to one of Connecticut’s fantastic museums? 

Have you logged on to one of our popular online author talks with best-selling authors such as Rick Steves, Freida McFadden, or John Stamos? 

Have you enjoyed our Summer Reading Program for all ages?

Have you joined a ghostly Secrets of Russell Library tour?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then you’ve benefited from the hard work and dedication of the Friends of Russell Library. It’s the Friends who make all of those wonderful things I just listed – and so much more – possible.

And believe it or not, they’re all volunteers – and you can join too!

Way back in 1983, while the library was completing its most recent expansion (and Ronald Reagan was president, whoa), a group of Middletown library lovers banded together and formed the non-profit Friends of Russell Library. They knew that although the City of Middletown contributed substantially to the library’s budget, those funds didn’t cover things like concerts, lectures, storytime supplies, and the like. Since all of those things are essential to the library’s mission, the Friends decided to pitch in by gathering members, hosting used book sales and other fundraisers, and advocating publicly for a well-supported public library.

‘Pitching in’ doesn’t do it justice, though: over the last 41 years, the Friends have contributed a total of nearly $800,000 – plus an immeasurable amount of support and advocacy – to the Russell Library.

Never underestimate the power of grassroots efforts!

Today, the Friends are still going strong, raising funds and advocating for strong community support of the library. And they need you. So…

IF you believe in the importance of the Russell Library, and

IF you have a little time to spend volunteering, and

IF you want to make new friends,

Then you should definitely join the Friends. Memberships are just $20 a year. That’s just $6.50 in 1983 dollars! I’ve been a member for about 25 years now, and I have to say, the Friends have a lot of fun, no matter what they’re doing. They’re a terrific, sometimes loud, and always powerful group. 

So this year, during Friends of Libraries Week, come say thank you to the Friends. Stop by the Russell Library lobby between October 20-26 to 

• Sign the big “Thank You, Friends” card,
• Learn more about what the Friends do, and, of course
• Join the Friends.

THANK YOU for being a Friend!

More great Friends of Russell Library stories:

“Middletown Strong” podcast episode with Friends Mary and Sandy (2024) 

“Heroes in Deed: Friends of the Russell Library” (2015)