The Library Vault

Hints for winning the Russell Library Games, November 2026 Edition

Just when you thought spooky season was over, we’re sending you to a graveyard.

Yes, you read that right. This blog is being posted on Monday, November 2, aka the Day of the Dead. In the spirit of Día de los Muertos, we are celebrating a long-lost loved one by encouraging Russell Library fans to visit the final resting place of its founder, Frances Russell.

Frances founded Middletown’s first and only public library on November 17, 1875. Its doors opened to this community’s residents on April 5, 1876. Her legacy lives on 150 years later. In thanks for her enduring gift, we placed chrysanthemums on the Russell Family plot and beside Frances’ headstone. We also added an incentive for Russell Library Games players to make the trek through Indian Hill Cemetery to that site…

At the Russell family plot players will find a QR code worth 1876 points, in recognition of the auspicious year Russell Library came into existence (thanks to Frances) as well as the amount of effort players will have exerted to get there. When you arrive, after you collection your points, turn around and enjoy the expansive view. Not a bad place to rest in peace!

Those who go the extra mile (er, a few more steps uphill) to pay their respects to Frances will find another QR code worth 150 points – one for ever year Russell Library has served Middletown since 1876. Tip of the hat to anybody who lays flowers there in appreciation for all that Frances Russell contributed to her hometown.

In combination with the other high-value points that continue to be up for grabs through the end of the Russell Library Games:

• finding Frances in person (150 points x 10 = 1500);
• finding Frances on our website (150 points x 5 = 750);
• finding Frances in our newsletters (150 points x 4 = 600);
• each 40 oz. can of yams donated (150 points apiece, no cap); and
• submitting Russell Library memories through this form (1876 points, 1x only)

the Most Middletown of Them All (MMoTA) trophy is still in play. GAME OVER takes effect at noon on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. So players still have a few more days in the sprint to the finish line. Mark your calendar for Taco Tuesday, where we will announce the WINNER (MMoTA) and RUNNER UP while scarfing delicious Mexican food smothered in guacamole.

Read on for hints to Find Frances in our building and on the website. (Yes, it is in memory of our Founder Frances that we developed Find Frances for the Games!)

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In the Building

150 points per Frances found x10, 1500 points possible this month

Honestly, I’m not really sure how many people read these, and I’m up against the deadline for publishing this blog, so I’m going to give it to you straight this time:

1. Lobby – Above the Holds shelf
2. Lobby – Next to shopping baskets
3. Lobby – Railroad Bridge painting
4. The Space – Window looking out to courtyard
5. Main Reading Room – Window overlooking Broad St from Mystery section
6. Main Reading Room – American Poetry/811s
7. Main Reading Room – FIC-RUSSELL
8. Info area – 3rd floor overlooking Info Desk
9. Info area – Magazine rack – New Yorker/People/Prevention older issues (flip rack up)
10. Info area – Above the fax machine

On Russell Library’s Website

150 points per Frances found x5, 750 points possible this month

Again, I’ll make this one easy this time:

1. Bequests
2. Employment
3. Future
4. Giving
5. Strategic Plan

In Russell Library’s Email Newsletters

150 points per Frances found x4, 600 points possible this month

Check every newsletter for the image below. Click it, get 150 points a pop.

Other Ways to Earn Points

We already mentioned that you can earn 1876 points by submitting your Russell Library memories through this form. When we see that it is genuinely completed (copy/pasting lorem ipsum doesn’t count) we’ll award you 1876 points. Don’t forget to include your player name so we know who to give the points to! Simply sign off with your username at the end of your memory form – that is where we will look for it.

Remember those key numbers I mentioned above: 1876 and 150? Mention their significance in your memory form and we’ll give you another 150 points!

See you on Taco Tuesday!!!