The Library Vault

Voices from behind the scenes at Russell Library.

Behind the Scenes with Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz

By Briana Gagnon and Christy Billings We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for a blog post from two members of our podcast team! Podcast team members Briana and Christy had the amazing opportunity to interview Susan Bysiewicz, the lieutenant governor of Connecticut, for the latest episode of the library’s podcast Middletown Strong. Briana and Christy…

brianarusselllibrary

March 10, 2025

Inside Stories, Middletown, CT

connecticut, CTpizzatrail, government, interview, Librarians, librarypodcast, lieutenant governor, middlesexcounty, middletown storng, MiddletownCT, newhavenstlyepizza, pizza trail, Podcast, podcasters, RussellLibrary, susan bysiewicz
Wine & Words: A Beneficial Engagement

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton Have you ever been at a lost for what to read next? Libraries are not only a place to borrow books, but the librarians who work there aim to point you in the right direction. Librarians’ suggestions are valued. As librarians, we also value the suggestions brought to us by…

sbarillari

February 17, 2025

Book Reviews, Libraries, Library Services, Recommendations, Wine & Words

Chianti, ChiantiClassico, EdithWharton, EthanFrome, ItalianWines, PodereIlPalazzino, Zeena
The Tournament of Books Returns!

Brackets are SO back in 2025. We’re somehow nearly halfway through February 2025, which means its time to get ready for the Tournament of Books 2025! Yes, the ultimate battle for bookish glory returns for the second year, including four rounds of voting to decide the Tournament of Books Champion 2025! You will also have…

Jack B.

February 10, 2025

Contests, Events, Libraries, Middletown, CT, Sports

AdultFiction, Audiobooks, BookTournament, Ebooks, Hoopla, Libby, NonFiction, TournamentOfBooks
Looking For Love? Add These 10 Swoon-Worthy Romance Books To Your TBR

By Briana G, Your Romance Loving Librarian Bestie Happy February y’all! We made it through January, so we should all give ourselves a big pat on the back. I read so much in January and cannot wait to see what February holds. We have so much to look forward to in February: Black History Month,…

brianarusselllibrary

February 3, 2025

Book Reviews, Recommendations

Book Reviews, books, books inspired by movies, books rces, brynne weaver, cowboy romance, dark romance, done and dusted, earl crush, first time caller, french pressed love, hot earl, i think they love you, julian winters, lauren kung jessen, out of the woods, queer romance, regency romance, rom com, romance books, romance girlie, romance novel, russell library, scythe and sparrow, spicy books, victorian romance, yin yang love song
Kids Series for Everyone

During a recent visit from my husband’s parents, I found my father-in-law reading my daughter’s book Bad Kitty for President by Nick Bruel. It’s a middle-grade reader and my daughter is eight years old. My father-in-law has a Ph.D. in physics and always brings a bag full of books when he visits. But he liked…

Amy S.

January 20, 2025

Book Reviews, Kids and Teens, Recommendations

BadKittyForPresident, BadKittyGetsAPhone, BadKittyGoesOnVacation, BadKittyKittenTrouble, BadKittyMakesAMovie, Bandit, BanditAndChile, Bingo, BlueHellerPup, Bluey, Chile, Cocomelon, DiaryOfAWimpyKid, DollyPartonImaginationLibrary, FamilyFrolic, GregHeffley, GustavHolst, Hammerbarn, JeffKinney, Jupiter, NickBruel, Omelette, PresidentialElection, Sleepytime, TheLongHaul, ThePlanets, UncleMurray, UncleMurraysFunFacts, Work, YogaBall

Behind the Scenes with Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz

Wine & Words: A Beneficial Engagement

The Tournament of Books Returns!

Looking For Love? Add These 10 Swoon-Worthy Romance Books To Your TBR

Kids Series for Everyone