Calendar

Russell Library will be closed Saturday, July 3rd and Monday, July 5th for the holiday.

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/1546903/8777071-prepare-to-get-work-bob-carlson In this episode, Christy chats with Bob Carlson, Russell Library's Program Coordinator for the Job & Career Group. Bob and Christy discuss their mission of preparing community members to get work. If you've lost your job or are looking to change careers, this episode is for you. Enjoy! Russell Library Job & Career Services: https://russelllibrary.org/other-services/ United States Coastguard Auxiliary: https://www.cgaux.org/ Book Recommendations Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard The Greatest Beer Run Ever by John "Chick" Donohue & J.T. Molloy

Ahoy Mateys! We be pirates, spinnning yarns, and singing shanty's for our shipmates! That's pirate for: Join us for a fun, pirate themed storytime where we'll learn about pirates, talk, and sing, like pirates, and make roly poly pirates! So come aboard mateys and make sure you have your sealegs, aargh! (Limit 1 pirate craft kit per household.) This is part 1 of a series. Virtual dates for our Pirates Ahoy! Storytime series are: 7/6, 7/13! Will be doing an Outdoor Farmer's Market storytime with this theme on Friday 7/9 at 10:30am! Sign up for that here: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7917428 This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required. We have a limited number of supply kits which will need to be picked up at the Russell Library prior to the online event. If you sign up for a kit after you register librarian will email you to confirm your supply kits are ready for you at the desk! After you hear from us you can: Pick your kit up during library operating hours (Monday-Saturday: 9-5pm) or Call us at 860-347-2528 and set up a curbside appointment! If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org Funding for this program was supplied by the Friends of the Russell Library.

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/1546903/8777071-prepare-to-get-work-bob-carlson In this episode, Christy chats with Bob Carlson, Russell Library's Program Coordinator for the Job & Career Group. Bob and Christy discuss their mission of preparing community members to get work. If you've lost your job or are looking to change careers, this episode is for you. Enjoy! Russell Library Job & Career Services: https://russelllibrary.org/other-services/ United States Coastguard Auxiliary: https://www.cgaux.org/ Book Recommendations Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard The Greatest Beer Run Ever by John "Chick" Donohue & J.T. Molloy

Join us for a morning of outdoor dacing fun at Ekklesia Ballet's version of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" where participants will have an opportunity to move and dance along with the ballerina on the front lawn of the Church of the Holy Trinity, at 381 Main St., Middletown, CT. You may want to bring a scarf, napkin, towel or something to dance with! This fun, dance workshop, is for kids ages 3-6. Registration is required. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: We ask that you stay 6 feet away from other families for your safety, as well as the safety of others. If any member of your household is not feeling well, has a fever, or is quarantining, we ask that you and your family stay home. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org "The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Growth and change are very important, but sometimes they can be hard and painful. The Very Hungry Caterpillar shows us that if we are patient throughout the process, we too can spread our wings and fly." Funding for this program was supplied by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Guest speaker: Sarah Barr - Building Your Personal Brand Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. The focus will be on the job market and provide updated industry information during this uncertain time of COVID19. The Job and Career Group hosts virtual workshops and a weekly networking session via WebEX. You will need to download WebEx to attend. Registration is required. Questions? Bob Carlson rcarlson@russelllibrary.org or Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org This group is possible from a City of Middletown Block Grant, Liberty Bank Foundation Grant, and The Family of Thomas J. Regan.

Dive into summer reading at Russell Library! Come join the fin-tastic fun on Monday, July 12th from 11am - 1pm! Sign up for summer reading and play our new Feed the Shark game! Take your photo with Sharky, our summer reading mascot! Decorate a sea critter to add to our aquarium wall! Play a round of Underwater Bingo with our children’s librarians! Then choose your own board game to play from our great collection of games and puzzles. Take home a grab and go shark craft! This program is intended for children, teens, and their caregivers. If any members of your immediate family are not feeling well or have a fever, we ask that you stay home, please! No registration required, but if you'd like to sign up to get an email reminder, you can register below! If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org Funding for this program was supplied by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Ahoy Mateys! We be pirates, spinnning yarns, and singing shanty's for our shipmates! That's pirate for: Join us for a fun, pirate themed storytime where we'll learn about pirates, talk, and sing, like pirates, and make roly poly pirates! So come aboard mateys and make sure you have your sealegs, aargh! (Limit 1 pirate craft kit per household.) This is part 2 of a series. Virtual dates for our Pirates Ahoy! Storytime series are: 7/6, 7/13! Will be doing an Outdoor Farmer's Market storytime with this theme on Friday 7/9 at 10:30am! Sign up for that here: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7917428 This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required. We have a limited number of supply kits which will need to be picked up at the Russell Library prior to the online event. If you sign up for a kit after you register librarian will email you to confirm your supply kits are ready for you at the desk! After you hear from us you can: Pick your kit up during library operating hours (Monday-Saturday: 9-5pm) or Call us at 860-347-2528 and set up a curbside appointment! If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org Funding for this program was supplied by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Have you heard the term 'Forest Bathing' and wanted to know more? Join Alex Lowry of the Wisdom Alliance via Zoom to hear more about the amazing healing power of shinrin-yoku, also known as "forest bathing." Scientific research has now caught up with ancient knowledge that time spent in forests has a direct, measurable and profound effect on the human spirit and physical well-being. The shinrin-yoku process is a guided, meditative and sensory nature walk that will stimulate inspiration, foster awareness, reflection, and a deeper healing connection back to self. Alex will explain the science behind why we feel so much better after walking in the woods via Zoom. Sign-ups are required for the Zoom link. Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org Alexandra Lowry of The Wisdom Alliance. She is a Certified Integrative Life Coach, Certified CFPA Ramble Guide (Connecticut Forest & Parks Association) and member of the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides. We will be holding a separate Forest Bathing Event (outside) on Saturday, July 24th. Sign-up for our outdoor program here: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7987665

Podcast: Middletown Strong, Looking Up With Russell Library https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/1546903/8837878-wesleyan-film-studies-mike-slowik In today's episode, you'll enjoy Kim Spachman's conversation with Mike Slowik, Associate Professor at Wesleyan University in the College of Film and the Moving Image. Professor Slowik is the author of After the Silents: Hollywood Film Music in the Early Era, 1926-1934 and is also a 2003 alumnus of Wesleyan University. Enjoy! Book & Film Recommendations After the Silents: Hollywood Film Music in the Early Era, 1926-1934 by Michael Slowik Minari Rated PG-13, 2020 I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything For Our Kids by Kyle Schwartz The Skin I'm In by Sharon Flake How to Disappear Completely by Ali Standish Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Join Everyone Outside and Russell Library staff for an outdoor art project using natural materials! You will learn how to make your own brush and paints from common plants in our area and then use them to make your own painting. If you have some flowers you want to try using, feel free to bring them along. We will be meeting by the Tennis Pavilion at the Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate (address is 421 Wadsworth Street in Middletown, Connecticut). The Pavilion is next to the large lawn in the back of the Mansion. Parking will be at at Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Road (closer to Tennis Pavilion, especially northwest portion) and Wilbert Snow School, 299 Wadsworth Street. We encourage attendees to bring a blanket and/or chairs to sit on, plus you can bring dinner and stay to hear CJ West and the Downtown Train perform at the Music at the Mansion series at 6:30! http://www.wadsworthmansion.com/public-events/event-music-at-the-mansion/ For all ages! Supplies may be limited, so please register below. (Raindate: Wednesday 7/21) Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: We ask that you stay 6 feet away from other families for your safety, as well as the safety of others. If any member of your household is not feeling well, has a fever, or is quarantining, we ask that you and your family stay home. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org This program is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library and Everyone Outside! Directions: Here is a link to the Mansion in google maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill/@41.5353091,-72.6782933,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e64a9d38187887:0x1f4f8054726fc03f!8m2!3d41.5353209!4d-72.6761638 Here is a link to the trail map for Long Hill Estate (it has the location of the Tennis Pavilion!) http://wadsworthmansion.1059creative.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/LongHillEstateTrailMap.pdf

Guest speaker: Dr. Helen Evrard - The Pandemic and You: Looking for Work in the World of CoVid19 Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. The focus will be on the job market and provide updated industry information during this uncertain time of COVID19. The Job and Career Group hosts virtual workshops and a weekly networking session via WebEX. You will need to download WebEx to attend. Registration is required. Questions? Bob Carlson rcarlson@russelllibrary.org or Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org This group is possible from a City of Middletown Block Grant, Liberty Bank Foundation Grant, and The Family of Thomas J. Regan.

Join us IN-PERSON at Stubborn Beauty Brewing at 180 Johnson St, Middletown, CT for our July discussion! The July title is Nala's World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride around the Globe by Dean Nicholson. Place a hold for curbside pick-up or E-copies are available at www.russelllibrary.org. Questions? E-mail Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. Registration strongly suggested. From stubbornbeauty.com: Masks will no longer be required indoors or outside if you are vaccinated, if you are not vaccinated please continue to wear your mask inside when not seated at your table. July Nala's World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride around the Globe Dean Nicholson 7/15 Aug The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy Rachel Joyce 8/12 Sept Anxious People Fredrik Backman 9/8 October The Exiles Christina Baker Kline 10/14 Nov The Girl With the Louding Voice Abi Daré 11/11 Dec Miss Benson's beetle: a novel Rachel Joyce 12/9

Go for a hike! Camp out under the stars! Do you hear that? Nature is calling you! Join us for our Outdoor Adventure storytime series! Together we will celebrate the great outdoors with songs and stories that are sure to take you on a wild adventure! Pick up supplies to create a cool camping craft and bingo game (Limit 2 craft kits per household). Please Note: there is one craft for the entire series. This is part 1 of a series. Virtual dates for our Outdoor Adventure Storytime series are: 7/20 & 7/27! Will be doing an Outdoor Farmer's Market storytime with this theme on Friday 7/23 at 10:30am! Sign up for that here: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7917429 This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required. We have a limited number of supply kits which will need to be picked up at the Russell Library prior to the online event. If you sign up for a kit after you register a librarian will email you to confirm your supply kits are ready for you at the desk! After you hear from us you can: Pick your kit up during library operating hours (Monday-Saturday: 9-5pm) or Call us at 860-347-2528 and set up a curbside appointment! Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of The Russell Library.

Join us for a morning of outdoor dacing fun at Ekklesia Ballet's version of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" where participants will have an opportunity to move and dance along with the ballerina on the front lawn of the Church of the Holy Trinity, at 381 Main St., Middletown, CT. You may want to bring a scarf, napkin, towel or something to dance with! This fun, dance workshop, is for kids ages 3-6. Registration is required. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: We ask that you stay 6 feet away from other families for your safety, as well as the safety of others. If any member of your household is not feeling well, has a fever, or is quarantining, we ask that you and your family stay home. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org "The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Growth and change are very important, but sometimes they can be hard and painful. The Very Hungry Caterpillar shows us that if we are patient throughout the process, we too can spread our wings and fly." Funding for this program was supplied by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Guest Speaker: Trish McGrath Conquering the Fear: Interview Prep 101 Addressing employers’ goals Researching companies Determining company fit Interview etiquette and attire Formula for success Preparing to answer situational, skill-based and behavioral questions Developing S-O-A-R stories Questions to ask Practice, practice, practice Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. The focus will be on the job market and provide updated industry information during this uncertain time of COVID19. The Job and Career Group hosts virtual workshops and a weekly networking session via WebEX. You will need to download WebEx to attend. Registration is required. Questions? Bob Carlson rcarlson@russelllibrary.org or Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org This group is possible from a City of Middletown Block Grant, Liberty Bank Foundation Grant, and The Family of Thomas J. Regan.