Calendar

Russell Library is closed for the Holiday.

Join us for a fun family storytime where we will read books and share rhymes and songs for kids birth to 6 years old and their families. Registration is required and space is limited, so please let us know how many people will be in your party (all young people any caregivers = the number of people attending.) We know family schedules can change from week to week, so please register for each Tuesday session you plan to attend! For kids age 0-6 (Babies - first grade), siblings and families welcome! This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Join us for stories, songs, friends, and free play. Open to all ages with an emphasis on children 0-7 years. Siblings welcome. Registration suggested but NOT required, drop-ins welcome. The weekly format will be: 10-10:15am free play 10:15-10:45am story time/songs 10:45-11am free play

A Service Navigator from Gilead Community Services will be available to help guide you through the complex and confusing Mental Health and Addiction System.

Come play with us at the Library! Join us each week on Thursday mornings to connect with other families and explore the power of play. A variety of toys will be out for free play including building materials, crafts, sensory toys and imaginative play. The activities we have planned are aimed at children age 1-5, and a caregiver, but all ages are welcome! Registration for each session is required (and will close when the event begins). Space is limited, so please let us know how many people will be in your party (all young people any caregivers = the number of people attending.) We know family schedules can change from week to week, so please register for each Thursday session you plan to attend! This program is made possible though the generosity of the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: https://russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

You’re invited to an intimate evening with award-winning television host and bestselling author Lidia Bastianich as she talks about her memoir My American Dream: A Life of Love, Family, and Food. Born in Pula, on the Istrian peninsula, Lidia grew up surrounded by love and security, learning the art of Italian cooking from her beloved grandmother. But when a communist regime annexed Istria, Lidia’s family fled to Trieste, where they spent two years in a refugee camp waiting for visas to enter the United States. When she finally arrived in New York, Lidia soon began working in restaurants, the first step leading to her becoming one of the most revered chefs and businesswomen in the country. Heartwarming, deeply personal, and powerfully inspiring, My American Dream is the story of Lidia’s close-knit family and her dedication and endless passion for food. Click here to register. If you cannot make the time or date, don't worry! All online author talks are recorded for on-demand viewing after the event.

Friends of Russell Library Book Sale Dates September 8-9, 2023 Hours Friday, September 8th, 9:00-5:00 Saturday, September 9th, 9:00-4:30

Join us for a fun family storytime where we will read books and share rhymes and songs for kids birth to 6 years old and their families. Registration is required and space is limited, so please let us know how many people will be in your party (all young people any caregivers = the number of people attending.) We know family schedules can change from week to week, so please register for each Tuesday session you plan to attend! For kids age 0-6 (Babies - first grade), siblings and families welcome! This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Join us for stories, songs, friends, and free play. Open to all ages with an emphasis on children 0-4 years. Siblings welcome. Registration suggested but NOT required, drop-ins welcome. The weekly format will be: 10-10:15am free play 10:15-10:45am story time/songs 10:45-11am free play

American Job Center Info Table in the Lobby at Russell: AJC Ambassador Darlena Young Darlena Young, from the American Job Center (AJC) Ambassador in the South-Central Region of CT or another Communication Specialist will be available to speak with patrons, in the lobby. From Darlena: "It's our mission to serve our communities by helping people live their best lives and would love to come and share information about our job opportunities, programs, and training services available at the American Job Centers. Come see us in person! Please feel free to visit our website to learn more at www.workforcealliance.biz . I am available to answer any questions that you may have." dyoung@workforcealliance.biz dyoung@workforcealliance.biz, (203) 624-1493 ext. 243 (office) Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org

A Service Navigator from Gilead Community Services will be available to help guide you through the complex and confusing Mental Health and Addiction System.

KNOW US BEFORE YOU NEED US Palliative Care and Hospice 101 There are many myths regarding palliative care and hospice. As a result, people wait too long to participate in these beneficial programs. They miss out on the support services offered to patients and families. Participants will gain a good understanding of palliative care and hospice, and understand how and when to ask for a consultation. Sign-ups encouraged. Susan Daniels, RN MSN, Hospice Resource Nurse Coordinator Susan has her Master of Science in Nursing from Sacred Heart University. In her thirty years as a Registered Nurse, Susan has worked in Oncology, Telemetry, Dementia Special Care and for the last twelve years, Hospice and Palliative Care. Her Hospice and Palliative experience includes eight years of home care case management during which she successfully assisted countless families through rewarding end of life experiences. She has been with the Middlesex Health System for six years, working both in the hospital and with homecare to facilitate smooth transitions across the continuum of care. She was the recipient of the Florence Wald Award of Excellence in End-of-Life Care from The Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home in 2021 and Middlesex Health’s Family Medicine Residency Program’s Nurse of the Year in 2023. Her favorite part of the job is helping people to clarify their wishes at whatever stage of life they are in and assisting them in the fulfillment of their wishes. This program is in partnership with the Middlesex Health Hospice Program. Hospice is located at 28 Crescent St, Middletown, CT. Questions? cbillings@russelllibrary.org or wrazeq@russelllibrary.org

Come play with us at the Library! Join us each week on Thursday mornings to connect with other families and explore the power of play. A variety of toys will be out for free play including building materials, crafts, sensory toys and imaginative play. The activities we have planned are aimed at children age 1-5, and a caregiver, but all ages are welcome! Registration for each session is required (and will close when the event begins). Space is limited, so please let us know how many people will be in your party (all young people any caregivers = the number of people attending.) We know family schedules can change from week to week, so please register for each Thursday session you plan to attend! This program is made possible though the generosity of the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: https://russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Peace. Happiness. Love... begins with Shanay's early life in New York City where her traumatic experiences occurred and navigates through her path of how she overcame and created a better life for herself as well as her children. This truth telling story displays resilience, courage, strength, perseverance, and determination to defeat the odds. No matter where you may be on your journey, you will find yourself relating to the author's pain and desperation while struggling with defeat as well as her decision to do whatever was necessary to heal and recover. After reading this book, you will be inspired to do what you must to experience true peace, happiness and love which begins with doing your inner work and coming to terms with your reality while refusing to stay there.

Our September title is Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Copies available at the Borrowing Desk. Join us at Stubborn Beauty Brewing at 180 Johnson St, Middletown, CT. Questions? E-mail Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. Place a hold for curbside pick-up or E-copies are available at www.russelllibrary.org. No purchase is required. Registration is suggested.

Join us for a fun family storytime where we will read books and share rhymes and songs for kids birth to 6 years old and their families. Registration is required and space is limited, so please let us know how many people will be in your party (all young people any caregivers = the number of people attending.) We know family schedules can change from week to week, so please register for each Tuesday session you plan to attend! For kids age 0-6 (Babies - first grade), siblings and families welcome! This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Join us for stories, songs, friends, and free play. Open to all ages with an emphasis on children 0-4 years. Siblings welcome. Registration suggested but NOT required, drop-ins welcome. The weekly format will be: 10-10:15am free play 10:15-10:45am story time/songs 10:45-11am free play

A Service Navigator from Gilead Community Services will be available to help guide you through the complex and confusing Mental Health and Addiction System.

Join us as we chat with New York Times bestselling author Adam Alter about his new book Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most. Almost everyone feels stuck in some way. Whether you’re muddling through a midlife crisis, wrestling with writer’s block, trapped in a thankless job, or trying to remedy a fraying friendship, the resulting emotion is usually a mix of anxiety, uncertainty, fear, anger, and numbness. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Anatomy of a Breakthrough is the roadmap we all need to escape our inertia and flourish in the face of friction. Click here to register. If you cannot make the time or date, don't worry! All online author talks are recorded for on-demand viewing after the event.

Join a librarian from Russell Library at the Rec center (140 Wilderman's Way, Middletown, CT) for a fun family storytime followed by caregiver and child swimming activities! Children must be accompanied by their caregiver while in the water, (please reach out to Nicholas.Dionne@middletownct.gov if you need accommodations regarding the swim portion) The activities we have planned are aimed at ages 2 - 5 years old. Registration is required and space is limited. Please register at: Middletown Recreation

Come play with us at the Library! Join us each week on Monday mornings to connect with other families and explore the power of play. A variety of toys will be out for free play including building materials, crafts, sensory toys and imaginative play. The activities we have planned are aimed at children age 1-5, and a caregiver, but all ages are welcome! Registration for each session is required (and will close when the event begins). Space is limited, so please let us know how many people will be in your party (all young people any caregivers = the number of people attending.) We know family schedules can change from week to week, so please register for each Monday session you plan to attend! This program is made possible though the generosity of the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: https://russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

American Job Center Info Table in the Lobby at Russell: AJC Ambassador Darlena Young Darlena Young, from the American Job Center (AJC) Ambassador in the South-Central Region of CT or another Communication Specialist will be available to speak with patrons, in the lobby. From Darlena: "It's our mission to serve our communities by helping people live their best lives and would love to come and share information about our job opportunities, programs, and training services available at the American Job Centers. Come see us in person! Please feel free to visit our website to learn more at www.workforcealliance.biz . I am available to answer any questions that you may have." dyoung@workforcealliance.biz dyoung@workforcealliance.biz, (203) 624-1493 ext. 243 (office) Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org

Join us for a fun family storytime where we will read books and share rhymes and songs for kids birth to 6 years old and their families. Registration is required and space is limited, so please let us know how many people will be in your party (all young people any caregivers = the number of people attending.) We know family schedules can change from week to week, so please register for each Tuesday session you plan to attend! For kids age 0-6 (Babies - first grade), siblings and families welcome! This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer – the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people are trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Join us as we are joined by Middletown Department of Health to help create more awareness in the Middletown community. After completing the QPR Training, participants will learn: - How to recognize the warnings signs of a suicide crisis. - Know how to offer hope. - Know how to get help and save a life. *Participants will receive a certification as a QPR Gatekeeper and a QPR booklet. Registrations are required for this event and space is limited, register now to secure your spot!

Join us for stories, songs, friends, and free play. Open to all ages with an emphasis on children 0-4 years. Siblings welcome. Registration suggested but NOT required, drop-ins welcome. The weekly format will be: 10-10:15am free play 10:15-10:45am story time/songs 10:45-11am free play

A Service Navigator from Gilead Community Services will be available to help guide you through the complex and confusing Mental Health and Addiction System.

Did you know that in Connecticut you can take time off from work to care for personal or family health needs without risking your paycheck? Join the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority for an Informational Session to learn more about the CT Paid Leave program, including eligibility, covered reasons for leave and how to apply for benefits. Staff will provide an overview of CT Paid Leave and will also be available to answer individual questions and assist with filing an online claim application. Jessica Vargas Jessica Vargas serves as the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the Paid Leave Authority. Jessica has an extensive media background in both traditional and digital media. She began her career in media sales and has held roles including Director of New Business Development, Director of Non-Traditional Revenue, and most recently, VP/Market Manager for Cumulus Media’s New London radio station properties. Throughout her career, Jessica has worked with businesses of all sizes and in numerous industries. Jessica graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas with a B.A. in Advertising and a B.A. in Spanish. Madeline Granato Madeline Granato serves as Government and Community Relations Manager for the Paid Leave Authority. Prior to joining the Authority, Madeline served as Policy Director at the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), advocating for a public policy agenda centered on women’s economic security. During her time at CWEALF, Madeline led the Campaign for Paid Family Leave, a coalition of organizations and advocates that fought for and won passage of Connecticut’s paid family and medical leave law in 2019. Madeline graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York and received her Master’s in Social Work from the UCONN School of Social Work. This event is free and open to adults of all ages! Registration is suggested. Questions? Christy Billings or Wafaa Razeq: cbillings @russelllibrary.org or wrazeq@russelllibrary.org

Our friends from Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center are retuning! Please join us for a session where we will meet live animals such as a Russian tortoise, corn snakes, and many more! This is a family program for all ages. Registration is required and space is limited, so please let us know how many people will be in your party (all young people any caregivers = the number of people attending)! This program is made possible though the generosity of the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: https://russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Come play with us at the Library! Join us each week on Thursday mornings to connect with other families and explore the power of play. A variety of toys will be out for free play including building materials, crafts, sensory toys and imaginative play. The activities we have planned are aimed at children age 1-5, and a caregiver, but all ages are welcome! Registration for each session is required (and will close when the event begins). Space is limited, so please let us know how many people will be in your party (all young people any caregivers = the number of people attending.) We know family schedules can change from week to week, so please register for each Thursday session you plan to attend! This program is made possible though the generosity of the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: https://russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

What: Mystery! is a Russell Library-run book club for mystery lovers. The book group discusses a new mystery novel every month. When: The group meets on last Thursday of the month at 3pm (or, if Russell is closed at that time, the latest Thursday in the month that we’re open). Where: The group will meet in the Courtyard whenever weather allows. When weather does not allow, we will gather in Meeting Room 2. Books: Book copies are available at the Circulation desk. Click Here to See the List of Upcoming Mystery! Books. Registration: Not required - but if you register, you will be notified via email of any event changes. Questions: contact librarian/group leader Amy Slowik (860-782-4722).

Are you aging into Medicare at 65? Are you already on Medicare and totally confused? Jessalyn Pito will explain Medicare basics in this helpful seminar. Topics include: What is Medicare? Social Security 101 Eligibility and Enrollment Periods The Cost of Medicare Understanding Your Medicare Choices Prescription Drug Coverage Extra Help Please register for this event on the library’s online events calendar. Jessalyn Pito is an Independent Licensed and Certified Insurance Broker. Disclaimer-“Not affiliated with the U.S. government or federal Medicare program." "We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1–800–MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.”

We are going to put out a ton of legos - come play! All you need to bring is your imagination! Small parts, so no children under the age of 5, please! This program is made possible though the generosity of the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: https://russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Join us for an outdoor storytime at the Middletown Farmers Market at the Union Green! We will read books and share rhymes and songs for kids birth to 6 years old and their families. Participants are welcome to bring chairs and blankets! In the event of inclement weather we will move this program indoors to the Hubbard Room inside the Russell Library! Registration is suggested for event updates. Here is a link to the Union Green in google maps.