The Library Vault

The Library Vault

Voices from behind the scenes at Russell Library.

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  • Theater in the Round at Russell Library

    A few weeks ago, I walked into Russell Library’s Reading Room at 7am on a Friday morning. My mission, with the help of two members of our facilities department and a member of the East Haddam Stage Company’s production team, was to set up 80 chairs in various configurations and then put them all away…

    Mary

    October 27, 2025
    A Christmas Carol, Events, Inside Stories, Libraries, Middletown, CT, Secrets of Russell Library
    AChristmasCarol, CharlesDickens, EbenezerScrooge, JacobMarley, LibraryFundraiser, TheSpace, YeOldeCostumeShoppe
  • Secrets of the Season

    Have you ever noticed that point in late summer when the lush abundance of the natural world reaches a tipping point, and begins to decay? The perfume of Fall starts then: as the blossoming flowers over-ripen, their edges just starting to curl, releasing intoxicating scents. The gardens and woods ferment in their own beauty —…

    Amy S.

    October 20, 2025
    Book Reviews, Mysteries, Recommendations
    AuraleeWallace, autumn, BurnWitchBurn, ConjureWife, DrJackSantino, EvenfallWitchesB&B, film, FritzLeiber, Halloween, HalloweenAndOtherFestivalsOfLifeAndDeath, HarvestFestival, horror, InTheCompanyOfWitches, LlewellynsLittleBookOfHalloween, MickieMueller, movies, NightOfTheEagle, PracticalMagic
  • The Witch

    Witch. It’s such a simple word, just five little letters, yet strong enough to conjure intense feelings in those who wield it. As librarians, we know there is power to be found in words. We treat them with respect, knowing that words have been used throughout the ages to heal and to harm. With Halloween…

    Cate T.

    October 13, 2025
    Book Reviews, Recommendations, Trending
    AliceHoffman, AnAncientWitchesGuideToModernDating, AnnaRasche, BlackBirdOracle, CeciliaEdward, Chocolat, GradyHendrix, Hester, JoanneHarris, LaurieLicoAlbanese, LucyJaneWood, PracticalMagic, Rewitched, SilviaMorenoGarcia, StacySivinski, TheBewitching, TheCrescentMoonTearoom, TheHoneyWitch, TheInvisibleHour, TheSpellshop, TheStoneWitchOfFlorence, UnCharmed, Vianne, Witch, WitchcraftForWaywardGirls, Witches, WitchesOfElPaso
  • Haunted Houses in Books and Film

    Why do we love the Fall and Halloween season so much here in New England? I’ve lived in every region of the country, and only in New England is the Spooky Season such a dominating force. I can think of two reasons: the dominance of trees, and history. New England has more forests and more…

    Amy S.

    October 6, 2025
    Book Reviews, Mysteries
    BrahmStoker, ClassicHorror, DaphneDeMaurier, DorothyMacardle, Dracula, GhostStories, GothicHorror, Halloween, HauntedHouses, MelBrooks, Rebecca, ShirleyJackson, TheHauntingOfHillHouse, TheUninvited
  • Reading Room by Day, Theater by Night

    Many folks are wondering why we chose to stage A Christmas Carol in the Reading Room of Russell Library. Besides the fact that the room has its own ghosts, I mean. If you have never seen our Reading Room, let me give you a brief history and description. Frances Russell established Russell Library in memory…

    Mary

    September 29, 2025
    A Christmas Carol, Book Reviews, Events, Inside Stories, Libraries, Library Services, Recommendations, Secrets of Russell Library
    AChristmasCarol, CharlesDickens, ChurchOfTheHolyTrinity, EasternConnecticutParanormalSociety, ECPS, EpiscopalChurch, FilmAdaptations, FrancesRussell, ghosts, LibraryFundraiser, MuppetChristmasCarol, PurchaseTickets, ReadingRoom, SamRussell
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