Category: History of Russell Library

• A Rainbow Remembers…

  Like … Wow. Where am I? Right … Middletown… Broad Street in Middletown. I’ve been here in front of the Russell Library since, like… 1973? You’ve probably seen me. I’m Rainey … the Rainbow, and I’ve been spreading good vibes at the library for over 50 years. I became part of the scene when they…

  Kim S.

  July 6, 2026

  History of Russell Library, Inside Stories, Kids and Teens, Middletown, CT

  1970s, 1980s, 1980sRenovation, BroadStreet, BroadStreetMiddletown, ChildrensLibrary, FirstFederalSavingsAndLoanOfMeriden, HistoryOfTheRainbow, NewBuilding, NewLibrary, RaineyTheRainbow, RefractionNumber3, RonaldWCross, RonCross, ROYGBIV, RussellChildrensDepartment, RussellChildrensLibrary, RussellLibrary, RussellLibraryRainbow, WesleyanUniversity

• Concerts, Crafts, Clubs – Summer Programs for Adults

  “Summer is a-coming in”, and there’s plenty to do at the Russell Library! No, not just for kids (although there’s plenty for them, too). In fact, there is an entire slate of events for adults this summer. Here’s an overview of programs happening at the library. 1. Three Can’t-Miss Musical Events On Saturday June 27th,…

  Jack B.

  June 8, 2026

  Contests, Events, History of Russell Library, Libraries, Library Services, Middletown, CT, Movies, Mysteries, SummerReading, Technology

  AmericanRedCross, Books&Brews, ChessClub, Concert, Crafternoon, FinancialLiteracy, Indigenous, LocalHistory, Mysteries, pixar, popcorn, RussellLibraryGames, summer reading, summer reading challenge

• Ramblings from the Russell Library Reading Room Radiator

  Are you a reader? (Oh, who am I kidding . . . if you’re reading this library blog, you must be.) Do you live in or around Middletown? If the answer to both of these questions is, “Yes,” then chances are you’ve been to the Russell Library’s Reading Room more than just one time. Whether…

  Hana T.

  May 11, 2026

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

  FrancesRussell, ghosts, ReadingRoom, Renovations, RussellLibraryRadiator, SamuelRussell, TheRadiator, WorldWarII

• Ebenezer Scrooge at Russell Library

  Marley was dead: to begin with. from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens You have to give Charles Dickens credit. He knew how to craft a creepy opening to a story. He then goes on to tell the reader, “This must be distinctly understood. or nothing wonderful can come of the story…” That famous line…

  Mary

  August 18, 2025

  Events, History of Russell Library, Inside Stories, Libraries, Middletown, CT, Secrets of Russell Library

  AChristmasCarol, CharlesDickens, EasternConnecticutParanormalSociety, EastHaddamStageCompany, EbenezerScrooge, ECPS, FrancesRussell, Fundraiser, ghosts, JacobMarley, KandieCarle, MiddletownCT, OldEpiscopalChurch, ReadingRoom, SecretsOfRussellLibrary, Tickets

• 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