The Library Vault

Spring is a time for re-invention. At Russell Library, we love to keep things fresh and fun — especially in the Youth & Family Learning Department. Like kids and families, we’re always changing. The following are some of the new services and activities available in the kids’ wing and (The Space).

The Gaming PC

Like video gaming? Visit The Space to try out our new custom-built Gaming PC. With superior graphics, a powerful processor, and a state-of-the-art curved display, you can experience games on a whole new level. Two other gaming-capable PCs surround the the Gaming PC, so bring your friends and play together. Need even more computers for your friends? Check out one of our Chromebooks at the children’s desk to make an even larger group.

Want to know more about our Gaming PC and how to make your own? Watch this video made by our Department of Emerging Technology team.

STEM Toy Wall Installations

Got kids (or caregivers) who like to build stuff? Use our new magnetic wall to build your own coaster and/or gear factory. The parts can be moved around at the patron’s will to create their own unique invention. Then run a specially-designed wheel down the “coaster” into one of three goals at the bottom and see if your invention worked.

Thanks to grants from the City of Middletown (APRA Task Force) and the Middlesex YMCA, we’ve been able to put up many new STEM-based wall installations through-out the department. Now you can build with Duplos, guide marbles through a rotating maze, or run balls down a 3 x 5′ track any time we’re open. We also have two trees and a “meadow” with embedded bead mazes, plus a textured hedgehog. Can you find all nine of them?

The Peep Show

Learning doesn’t get any more hands-on than hatching baby chickens in the kids’ department. After successfully hatching eleven healthy chicks last year, we’re going for broke with three new rounds of chicken eggs this spring and summer. We expect the first batch to hatch around Wednesday, March 26th. You can visit them — and often even pet or hold them — until their pick-up on Wednesday, April 9th.

The second batch of eggs will be here May 19th – June 24th (hatching ca. 6/9), and the third July 3rd – August 6th (hatching ca. 7/22). Stop by for a peep, or come to one of our Hang with the Chicks programs in the Activity Room. The chicks will be out of their house for supervised petting and interaction. The first two Hang with the Chicks programs happen on Saturday, March 29th.

You can even help name the chicks before they hatch by entering your name choice(s) into our Name the Chicks jar. Librarians pull the names from the jar once our eggs have hatched. (Don’t worry, we NEVER count our chicks before they’ve hatched.) When the hatching dates are imminent (March 25-28th, June 8-10th, and July 21-23rd), be sure to check the Chick Cam often to catch the chicks being born.

Birthday Party with Bingo

Finally. mark your calendars for Saturday, April 5th. We will be celebrating Russell Library’s 149th birthday. Russell Library opened its doors for the first time as a public library (vs. its previous lives as a church and school) in 1876. We will be celebrating on this Saturday in April with free cake, Bluey book giveaways, Yoga for Littles, and a Dance Party with Bingo. No registration or library card required.