The Library Vault

Voices from behind the scenes at Russell Library.

Researching a Middletown Pride Pioneer

Here at the Russell Library Information Department, we absolutely love a good research question. I’m always looking for a good excuse to comb through our microfilm collection of local newspapers (dating all the way back to 1790!), find books in our local history collection, aptly named the Middletown Room, or take a deep dive into…

Hana T.

June 2, 2025

Library Services, Middletown, CT

AncestryLibrary, ButtonwoodTreePerformingArtsCenter, FamilySearch, KatherineSissyWells, KatherineWells, LGBTQIA2S+, MiddlesexCountyHistoricalSociety, MiddletownPRIDE, MiddletownRoom, OnlineResources, PRIDE, SissyWells
PRIDE 2025 at Russell Library

This year PrideFEST falls on Saturday, June 7, and Russell Library is honored to serve as a partner for a sixth consecutive year. We welcome you to join us at 123 Broad Street to pick up themed book giveaways, snag a mocktail and a bag of popcorn, get your face painted, make a rainbow crown,…

brandiedoyle

May 26, 2025

Events, Kids and Teens, Libraries, Library Services, Trending

BlockParty, Books&Brews, BookTalkWithAWalk, CountryQuiltLlamaFarm, DragArtistStoryHour, FablesAndFrolic, FarmersMarket, FreePeopleReadFreely, LEGOBuilders, LGBTQIA2S+, LibraryCard, MiddletownPRIDE, MiniMovers, OutdoorFamilyStorytime, ParentingPlaygroup, PlayPals, PreschoolPowerStorytime, PRIDE, PrideFEST, PRIDELibraryCard, PRIDEmarch, PRIDErally, SarahMcBride, SaturdayFamilyStorytime, StorytimeAtTheFarmersMarket, SummerFamilyBingo, TheMagicFish, TheSpace, TomorrowWillBeDifferent, TrungLeNguyen, YogaForLittles
Dark Academia is Coming to the Library

We did a lot of cleaning and painting during the pandemic. Although the library was closed to the public and we only had a skeleton staff in the building, we made some big changes. Anyone who has been to Russell Library since the end of the pandemic knows how much we have spruced the place…

Mary

May 19, 2025

History of Russell Library, Inside Stories, Trending

Activity Room, ColorPalette, DarkAcademia, DeadPoetsSociety, HarryPotter, LibraryMakeover, Pandemic, TheSpace
Russell Library Delivers!

The library is more than just a building with amazing collections. It’s also a part of the community. Doorstep Delivery is a service for Middletown residents who are physically unable to come to the library. People with a medical condition or injury can now have books delivered to their homes. Volunteers will bring books to…

kspachman

May 12, 2025

Library Services, Middletown, CT

Blog, ConsumerReports, DoorstepDelivery, HartfordCourant, HomeboundDelivery, Hoopla, Libby, MangoLanguages, NewYorkTimes, OnlineAuthorTalks, OnlineDatabases, TheLibraryVault, UniversalClass, Valueline, WallStreetJournal
Summer @ Russell Sneak Preview

What has rainbow colors,fuzzy wings,a pig snout,a down dog,lizard eyes,a paint palette,and a Bunsen burner? Summer Reading at Russell Library, of course. This summer, mark your calendars for a myriad of events at Russell Library featuring art, animals, science, music, books, and more. Help us kick off our Summer Reading theme, Color Our World, on…

Amy S.

May 5, 2025

Contests, Events, Giveaways, Kids and Teens

ColorOurWorld, FurryScalyFriends, Gecko, PaintersPalettes, PettingZoo, SummerReading, SummerReadingTrackers, XensCritters

Researching a Middletown Pride Pioneer

PRIDE 2025 at Russell Library

Dark Academia is Coming to the Library

Russell Library Delivers!

Summer @ Russell Sneak Preview