The Library Vault

Voices from behind the scenes at Russell Library.

How to Read Practical Magic

Midnight margaritas, anyone? If that phrase has you dancing around your kitchen, I’d wager that you’re itching with anticipation as we creep closer to the autumn equinox. It’s also quite possible that you’ve already been to the theater to see the newly released, Practical Magic 2. It’s been 31 years since author Alice Hoffman began…

Cate T.

September 14, 2026

Book Reviews, Events, Recommendations

AliceHoffman, Coven, CultClassic, GillianOwens, MagicLessons, MidnightMargaritas, NicoleKidman, OwensFamily, OwenSisters, PracticalMagic, PracticalMagic2, SallyOwens, SandraBullock, TheBookOfMagic, TheRulesOfMagic, WitchyWomen
A Cool Public Servant

What? I can’t hear you… It’s pretty loud here, and we don’t get a lot of visitors to this part of the basement. What? You’ve never heard of me? I’m Will, the chiller for the HVAC system at the library. I’ve been here since 1994. I submitted my retirement paperwork in 2016, but they must…

Kim S.

September 7, 2026

History of Russell Library, Inside Stories, Library Services, Middletown, CT

1993, AggressiveDuctwork, AirHandlerUnit, AXEBodySpray, BasementAirHandlingUnit, Bats, BlowingHotAir, Chiller, CoolingTower, DanDePaolo, EmilyMiller, Facilities, FootballField, HVAC, KimberlySpachman, LibraryGrant, MechanicalRoom, Offerings, OfferingToChillyWilly, OfferingToTheGods, OfferingToWilly, PublicServant, PublicService, TheEngineeringMindset, TheHartfordCourant, TheMiddletownPress, TimTurner
Play Your Cards Right

Hints for winning the Russell Library Games, September 2026 Edition Bust out your wallet, player, because September is all about library cards! In celebration of Library Card Sign-Up Month, Russell Library hosts an annual Library Card Crawl which is this month’s Game Changer event. Mark your calendar for Saturday, 9/19 from 10am-1pm because we have…

brandiedoyle

August 31, 2026

Contests, Kids and Teens, Middletown, CT, RussellLibraryGames, Technology, Trending

FrancesRussell, RussellLibraryGames, Scoreboard, FindFrances
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Russell Library

A Legacy for Children’s Literacy by Amy S. You may have heard the mournful news of Dolly Parton’s passing. Here at Russell Library, we are deeply saddened by the loss of such a guiding light in America. Dolly Parton chose to use her fortune and influence to help children learn to read and to love…

Amy S.

August 28, 2026

Recommendations, Library Services, Middletown, CT, Kids and Teens, Giveaways

MiddletownCT, DollyPartonImaginationLibrary, DollyParton, FreeBooksForKids, ReadToGrow, Channel8News, Channel3News, FindYourLegislator, GiveTheGiveOfReading
In Defense of “Aggressive Ductwork”

A Totally Tubular Story from 1981 Woah … Hold up. I’m not aggressive. I’m a connector, man. I know how to listen, and I like to just hang out. I’ve been doing that for over 40 years now. I’m the ductwork in the Russell Library, and I’ve come to correct the record. The architects who…

Kim S.

August 17, 2026

History of Russell Library, Inside Stories, Libraries, Secrets of Russell Library

Activity Room, AggressiveDuctwork, CharlesSaltsman, CheSeraSera, Ductwork, HardyHolzmanPfeiffer, LobbyDesk, MIT, NavalArchitectureAndEngineering, RaymondEngineering, SpiralStaircase, VirginiaHatchRoom

How to Read Practical Magic

A Cool Public Servant

Play Your Cards Right

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Russell Library

In Defense of “Aggressive Ductwork”