The Library Vault

Hello… It’s so nice to finally…

Excuse you! 

Yes, the Children’s Room is that way…

As we were saying…

Ouch! Someone just kicked…

Focus! 

People rarely notice us. Until they run into us. Which happens more often than you’d think. We’re the columns in the Russell Library’s lobby and second floor. We’re not flashy, but we do keep the building from collapsing. 

In 1979, the City of Middletown hired the architectural firm Hardy, Holzman, and Pfeiffer to expand the Russell Library. Its design connected the historic church building with the children’s library, which was once a bank. At the time, Hugh Hardy said that the condition of the library was “scandalous” and in need of serious renovation. He added that despite its condition, the library provided excellent service to Middletown. By 1981, the City approved a $3.5 million budget for the expansion and work began.

Things seemed to be going so well….

They always say that before everything goes wrong…

In July 1982, Middletown’s building inspector halted construction, citing “questionable materials and methods.” The inspector cited 87 code violations and denied the library a certificate of occupancy. He noted that the framing technique for the new lobby was commonly used in residential settings, not commercial ones. The inspector also said that the bolts securing the frame were being installed in the church building’s “brittle” brownstone walls. Brownstone isn’t known for its durability. In addition, the “steel saddles holding supports were too loose, and joists were tilted in different directions in the framing.” If full bookshelves were added to the second floor of the new annex, the entire structure might collapse.

A fatal flaw for a library, don’t you think?

We weren’t decorative.

We were… 

Necessary.

We were part of the solution, although the second floor of the new annex never did get bookshelves. Over the years, there have been multiple attempts to disguise us, but we’ve always been there, holding everything up. We’ve overheard complaints that we obstruct the view to the courtyard. We disrupt traffic flow in the lobby. No one can get a nice photograph of the first floor without one of us in the way. 

To which we can only say, “You’re welcome.”

In September 1982, the building inspector issued a temporary certificate of occupancy to avoid further delay to the library’s public debut. There were still things to work out, including the landscaping and other non-structural corrections. The design updates cost an additional $250,000, and there were lawsuits. In 1986, the City reached a $170,000 settlement with Laibson Construction Company, which lost money due to the delays. In 1988, the City negotiated a $397,500 settlement with Hardy, Holzman, and Pfeiffer due in part to the 47 changes made to the original architectural plans, which caused the delays. One of the strangest oversights was $16,000 in forgotten hardware for ten of the library’s doors. And, of course, we weren’t cheap.

But we were necessary.

People complain that we block the courtyard.

We do. 

Deliberately?

No. 

Structurally. 

According to the architects, the library renovations were supposed to last about twenty years. An additional twenty three years later, we’re still holding up the library. It’s necessary but exhausting work. We support the library’s main structure. We make it possible for cabling to come up from the basement to the lobby and second floor. We get the job done. 

We’re not pretty like the rainbow.

We’re not historic like the stained glass windows.

We haven’t been here since the beginning like the radiator. 

We don’t mind.

Buildings need things that shine. 

Buildings also need things that hold them up.

Most people never notice good support. 

That’s kind of the point, though. Isn’t it?

Photos:

1. Russell Library Lobby Photo. (2026). Kimberly Spachman.
2. Milardo, Donald [Artist]. Sketch of Russell Library, Russell Library Collection, c. 1980.
3. Construction Photo (c. 1981). Russell Library Photo Collection.
4. Lobby Photo (1983). Russell Library Photo Collection.
5. Second Floor Photo (c. 1981). Russell Library Photo Collection.
6. Russell Library Lobby Photo 2. (2026). Kimberly Spachman.
7. Russell Library Lobby Photo with Dolly (2026). Kimberly Spachman

References:

• Cohen, Joseph (September 17, 1982). “Library Architect Blamed for Defects.” The Hartford Courant.
• Cohen, Joseph (September 22, 1982). “Russell Library Construction Gets Go-Ahead.” The Hartford Courant.
• Kearns, Martin (February 2, 1984). “Architect Faulted for Library Project Delays.” The Hartford Courant.
• Kearns, Martin (August 18, 1983). “Code Violations Threaten Opening of Library.” The Hartford Courant.
• Weiss, Gary (April 30, 1980). “Library Board Seeks Support for Project, The Hartford Courant.
• Winter, Ronald (June 21, 1978). “Architect to Meet with Library Officials, The Hartford Courant.