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The Library Vault

The Library Vault

Voices from behind the scenes at Russell Library.

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  • 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
  • Che Sara Sara… a Window Reflects

    Dear Lord … are we all expected to do one of these now? How tedious. Oh, very well. The radiator insists it is important for posterity. He has been repeating that argument since my installation, and after 150 years I have learned that it is often easier to let him have his way. Since you…

    Kim S.

    August 10, 2026
    History of Russell Library, Middletown, CT, Secrets of Russell Library
    1940s, AggressiveDuctwork, AHistoryOfTheGothicRevival, BroadStreet, CheSeraSera, ChristChurch, EdnaWilder, FrancesRussell, HardyHolzmanPfeiffer, HEParsons, JaneAusten, JCPenney, LordByron, MainStreet, MiddleOak, MiddlesexMutualAssuranceCompany, MrClitonOsborne, MrsAliceOsborne, NationalTrustForHistoricPresevation, PoeticalWorks, PrideAndPrejudice, Radiator, ReadingRoom, RussellFamilyMotto, RussellLibraryHall, StickyCorner, TheChildrensCorner, WhateverWillBeWillBe
  • Show Up!

    Hints for winning the Russell Library Games, August 2026 Edition Alright players, we’re throwing you for another loop! In August you’ll want to keep your eye on our events calendar, because program attendance will earn you 150 points apiece (up from the usual 25). Swing by any of our public service desks afterwards to collect…

    brandiedoyle

    August 3, 2026
    Contests, Kids and Teens, Middletown, CT, RussellLibraryGames, Technology, Trending
    FindFrances, FrancesRussell, RussellLibraryGames, Scoreboard
  • Wine & Words: Famesick

    By Lena Dunham Let’s set the scene. It’s Brooklyn circa 2012, when craft beer was the king of kings, people had mustache tattoos on their fingers and polka dots transformed the manic pixie girls into fashion icons. Chunky necklaces and bright colors absorbed women’s bodies, which resembled a sense of hope. Obama was in his…

    sbarillari

    July 27, 2026
    Book Reviews, Recommendations, Trending, Wine & Words
    CarrieBradshaw, Dealcoholized, Famesick, Girls, HBO, JenDunham, NonAlcoholicWine, NotThatKindOfGirl, SexAndTheCity, ShaniaSparkling
  • More’s the “Pit”-y

    as narrated to Ramona Burkey The year was 1983. Michael Jackson performed the “Moonwalk” for the first time, Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel to space … and Middletown was expanding its public library. Up until then, the Russell Library had consisted of an old converted church, a 1930 addition, and a…

    Amy S.

    July 20, 2026
    History of Russell Library, Inside Stories, Libraries, Secrets of Russell Library
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