The Library Vault

Like … Wow. Where am I? Right … Middletown… Broad Street in Middletown. I’ve been here in front of the Russell Library since, like… 1973? You’ve probably seen me. I’m Rainey … the Rainbow, and I’ve been spreading good vibes at the library for over 50 years. I became part of the scene when they transformed the First Federal Savings and Loan of Meriden into a children’s library. It was groovy … like they tuned up the building’s aura and let the sunshine in. Middletown wanted a fun place for kids to get creative and be free. They weren’t even sure they were going to call it a library! The City redesigned the building, and there were books, games, puppets, and art supplies. There were even listening booths for music, and the kids had a vegetable garden outside. Far out!

The library’s philosophy for the new children’s building was “Change, response, welcome, warmth, and color,” which is where I came in. Ron Cross, a Wesleyan student, built me in honor of the new children’s library. He gave me my colors with acrylic paint—bright reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples that made me impossible to miss. My official name was “Refraction Number 3,” and Ron said my purpose was “Simply to attract attention.” Isn’t that a fab reason to come into being? He also said that kids could play on me, and they did! I’ve watched generations grow up. Some of the kids who climbed on me in the 1970s and 1980s come back now with children — and even grandchildren — of their own. 

Wait … what were we talking about … change? Right. I’ve seen plenty of that here. The children’s library was so groovy that Middletown did another expansion about ten years later. They built a new wing that linked the old church building and the children’s library. Even then, I was part of the scene. See me in the artist’s rendering of the expansion? You should have seen the renovation — lots of dust, construction equipment, and good vibes. After that, there were more people visiting than ever. 

Over the years, a lot more changed. Cars. Music. Books on tape. CDs and streaming. I even got a makeover in 2017. A staff person at the library said that my colors should be in ROYGBIV order. I don’t know who Roy is, but the new paint job was groovy. He said that I should have those colors because kids would learn about the rainbow that way. I wanted to explain that I was a refraction whose purpose was to attract attention, but I decided to go with the flow. In the end, I liked the change.

Over the years, people have wondered what I symbolize. That’s a heavy question for a rainbow. When Ron created me in 1973, he said my purpose was simply to attract attention. Since then, people have found all sorts of meanings in my colors. I can only say that as long as I represent love, unity, and a welcoming spirit, I’m happy to do so—with Pride.

There have been talks about a new library, something in the space we have now that includes the church building. Don’t worry, though. I’ve seen some of the concept drawings, and I’m still there. One drawing made me and my colors a part of the design, which made me happy. Libraries should be filled with light, love, and positive vibes, don’t you think? I hope when people look at me, they see that in the library too.

1. r/ConnecticutILovePublicLibraries (2023). Russell Library in Middletown, CT. Reddit. https://tinyurl.com/26umxp6k
2. “Man and His Creation,” The Middletown Press, June 15, 1973. Caple Photo.
3. Untitled, Russell Library Photo Collection, c. 1970.
4. Milardo, Donald [Artist]. Sketch of Russell Library, Russell Library Collection, c. 1980.
5. Untitled Photos. J. Billingsley, 2017.
6. Untitled. Russell Library Photo Collection, c. 2017.
7. Silver, Petrucelli, and Associates, Russell Library Conceptual Drawing, 2025.