Calendar

Welcome to Family Game Night! Come and join us on Monday nights anytime between 6pm-7pm for a night of rollicking good fun with a round of board and card games! You are more than welcome to stay the whole time, but we estimate that each game should last for about 10-15 minutes per family. Weekly game programs will include some new and some "oldie but goodie" games! For families with children ages 3 and up. No registration required, this is a drop in program. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our In Person 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. For any portions of our events that are indoors, you may be required to wear a mask, depending on current city building guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org

3-2-1 Blast Off! Climb aboard our reading rockship as we journey to infinity and beyond! Together we will sing songs and hear stories about galaxies far, far away! This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required (and will close an hour before the event begins). We are changing how we share the craft kits! New kits will come out on the first and third Friday of each month and you will be able to pick up a craft kit anytime the library is open (while supplies last). Monday-Thursday: 9am-8pm Friday & Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 1-5pm To set up a curbside appointment for a craft kit you can: call us at 860-347-2528 email us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

The Racial Justice Book Group is offered in partnership with the Middletown Racial Justice Community. The November title is Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. To receive a copy, please place a hold in our online catalog or by calling 860.347.2520. Registration is required for the Zoom link. Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sept Transcendent Kingdom Yaa Gyasi 9/14/2021 October Red At the Bone Jaqueline Wilson 10/5/2021 November Vanishing Half Brit Bennett 11/2/2021 December Luster Raven Leilani 12/7/2021 Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org

Improve Home Comfort with HeatSmart Middletown We all know that home improvement decisions can be confusing. Let the HeatSmart experts guide you through the process. Learn about: What steps can help improve home efficiency Which EnergizeCT incentives are available to you How various new energy efficient heating and cooling technologies work and which ones might be best for your home Join us for this 4-part series to help you increase your home’s energy efficiency, save money on your energy bills, and improve your home’s comfort. These sessions will all start with a presentation and then provide an opportunity for questions and dialogue…. Participants who attend 3 or more of the sessions will be entered into a raffle drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. October 13 Introduction to the HeatSmart Program – 15 minutes The HeatSmart team will introduce you to the many benefits of participating in this free program supported by the City of Middletown. October 20 Home Energy Audits (HES) – 30 minutes Learn about the ins and outs of getting a home energy evaluation and how this simple visit can save you hundreds of dollars a year. October 27 Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) – 30 minutes Want to upgrade your heating and cooling system? Wish your home was more comfortable in the summer and winter? An air source heat pump might be just what you’re looking for. Learn about these systems and why they’re so much more efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems. November 3 Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) – 30 minutes In the last session, you will learn about ground source heat pumps, commonly known as geothermal, and the advantages of this type of system. Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org or Deb Pace deb@pacecleanenergy.org

Improve Home Comfort with HeatSmart Middletown We all know that home improvement decisions can be confusing. Let the HeatSmart experts guide you through the process. Learn about: What steps can help improve home efficiency Which EnergizeCT incentives are available to you How various new energy efficient heating and cooling technologies work and which ones might be best for your home Join us for this 4-part series to help you increase your home’s energy efficiency, save money on your energy bills, and improve your home’s comfort. These sessions will all start with a presentation and then provide an opportunity for questions and dialogue…. Participants who attend 3 or more of the sessions will be entered into a raffle drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. October 13 Introduction to the HeatSmart Program – 15 minutes The HeatSmart team will introduce you to the many benefits of participating in this free program supported by the City of Middletown. October 20 Home Energy Audits (HES) – 30 minutes Learn about the ins and outs of getting a home energy evaluation and how this simple visit can save you hundreds of dollars a year. October 27 Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) – 30 minutes Want to upgrade your heating and cooling system? Wish your home was more comfortable in the summer and winter? An air source heat pump might be just what you’re looking for. Learn about these systems and why they’re so much more efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems. November 3 Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) – 30 minutes In the last session, you will learn about ground source heat pumps, commonly known as geothermal, and the advantages of this type of system.

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. Guest speaker: Ben Bissell: Platform to Employment 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.

Introducing...Mini Makers Lab! Join the children's department on Thursday November 4 anytime between 6-7 pm to brainstorm, get creative and flex those maker muscles! You are more than welcome to stay the whole time, but we estimate that this activity should last for about 10-15 minutes per family. Weekly hands-on programs will include STEM/STEAM projects and craft projects to complete at the library and take home when finished. For ages 6 - and up, but siblings and families are welcome! No registration required, this is a drop in program. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our In Person 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. For any portions of our events that are indoors, you may be required to wear a mask, depending on current city building guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org

What is an aura? And more importantly how can knowing your aura improve your life? This guided presentation gets to the core of the importance of our aura. Sydney Sherman discusses the study of auras, and how knowing details about your personal aura can drastically change your life. She will identify the different colors of auras and explain what distinct personality traits and characteristics can be attributed to these colors. How can your aura color identify illnesses, stress, emotional disturbances … even cancer? How can the energies from others affect your aura negatively or positively? How you can protect your aura and even see auras in others? This presentation is jam packed with information and very interactive.

Welcome to Family Game Night! Come and join us on Monday nights anytime between 6pm-7pm for a night of rollicking good fun with a round of board and card games! You are more than welcome to stay the whole time, but we estimate that each game should last for about 10-15 minutes per family. Weekly game programs will include some new and some "oldie but goodie" games! For families with children ages 3 and up. No registration required, this is a drop in program. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our In Person 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. For any portions of our events that are indoors, you may be required to wear a mask, depending on current city building guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org

Decoding the Mysteries of Cats or Why Cats Do What They Do Presentation and Q&A to help people with their cat behavior problems and questions. Feline Behaviorist, Stephen Quandt, most recently the Feline Behavior Coordinator for the Animal Care Centers of NYC (nycacc.org) and of the ASPCA.org has created a feline behavior webinar for the public that explains cat behavior from the perspective of the evolutionary and adaptive forces that help shape their lives. This webinar pulls together and interrelates: the Cycle of Predation that can lead to "drive-by" ankle biting, play aggression, early morning wake up, and food aggression as examples. Being prey on the Confidence Scale that can lead to similar behaviors but can also result in fearful cats, victimized cats (cat on cat aggression), fear aggression and redirected aggression. Their relationship with us as influenced by the Mother/Kitten Relationship that they experienced with their mother cat and that connects them to us through food needs,attention seeking, and their status with their most favored and/or least favored people. And finally the relationship between Hunger, Appetite, Metabolism and Exercise to all the above! Stephen has given hundreds of behavior consults in person and over Zoom, many of them through his presence on the Airbnb Online Experience platform which you can view at https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1725425 and where he has over 120 , 5 star reviews. He believes strongly in a compassionate, collaborative and educational approach to cat behavior, and he is Fear Free Certified. Registration is required. Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org

3-2-1 Blast Off! Climb aboard our reading rockship as we journey to infinity and beyond! Together we will sing songs and hear stories about galaxies far, far away! This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required (and will close an hour before the event begins). We are changing how we share the craft kits! New kits will come out on the first and third Friday of each month and you will be able to pick up a craft kit anytime the library is open (while supplies last). Monday-Thursday: 9am-8pm Friday & Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 1-5pm To set up a curbside appointment for a craft kit you can: call us at 860-347-2528 email us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Fundraising is all about relationships, and relationships are based on productive communication. During these challenging times, struggling nonprofits need to get just the right message across to their current donors as well as prospective givers in an efficient and effective way that gets noticed and generates results, all the while utilizing a variety of formats, both print and online. This webinar explores the who, what, why, and when of “donor-centric” communication in the Covid-19 era, with special attention to nonprofit newsletters, websites, social media, and grant reports. Segmenting your audiences is also addressed as is adjusting your communications efforts for maximum impact, while cultivating foundation, corporate and individual donors. Judith Margolin is an independent consultnat, webinar and workshop leader. She served as Vice President of the Foundation Center (now known as Candid). She has devoted her career to philanthropy and is dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations secure the funding they need to fulfill their valuable missions. Her website is http://needagrant.org

The library is closed for the holiday,

William Coleman, a Portland resident and Medicare Specialist at American Senior Benefits Company will explain the ins and outs of what to consider while selecting Medicare plans and benefits. This is not a sales event.

Welcome to Family Game Night! Come and join us on Monday nights anytime between 6pm-7pm for a night of rollicking good fun with a round of board and card games! You are more than welcome to stay the whole time, but we estimate that each game should last for about 10-15 minutes per family. Weekly game programs will include some new and some "oldie but goodie" games! For families with children ages 3 and up. No registration required, this is a drop in program. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our In Person 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. For any portions of our events that are indoors, you may be required to wear a mask, depending on current city building guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org

3-2-1 Blast Off! Climb aboard our reading rockship as we journey to infinity and beyond! Together we will sing songs and hear stories about galaxies far, far away! This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required (and will close an hour before the event begins). We are changing how we share the craft kits! New kits will come out on the first and third Friday of each month and you will be able to pick up a craft kit anytime the library is open (while supplies last). Monday-Thursday: 9am-8pm Friday & Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 1-5pm To set up a curbside appointment for a craft kit you can: call us at 860-347-2528 email us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

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. Guest speaker: Jeff Puglese-VP Middlesex Chamber of Commerce 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.

Mystery! is a Russell Library-run book club for mystery lovers. The book group discusses a new mystery novel every month. The group meets on Thursdays at 3pm, the last Thursday of the month (or, if Russell is closed at that time, the latest Thursday in the month that we’re open). Starting July 29th, 2021, our meetings will switch back to in person at Russell Library in Meeting Room 2. Books are available at the Circulation desk. No registration required. Questions? Contact Amy Slowik. Click Here to See the List of Upcoming Mystery! Books.

The November title is The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Daré Join us IN-PERSON at Stubborn Beauty Brewing at 180 Johnson St, Middletown, CT for our discussion! 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. Sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. Nov The Girl With the Louding Voice Abi Daré 11/11 Dec Miss Benson's beetle: a novel Rachel Joyce 12/9

Introducing...Mini Makers Lab! Join the children's department on Thursday November 4 anytime between 6-7 pm to brainstorm, get creative and flex those maker muscles! You are more than welcome to stay the whole time, but we estimate that this activity should last for about 10-15 minutes per family. Weekly hands-on programs will include STEM/STEAM projects and craft projects to complete at the library and take home when finished. For ages 6 - and up, but siblings and families are welcome! No registration required, this is a drop in program. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our In Person 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. For any portions of our events that are indoors, you may be required to wear a mask, depending on current city building guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org

This very popular presentation focuses on the many ways participants can learn to use their senses, i.e. smell, hearing, sight and touch to connect with their loved ones. The presentation progresses from a very detailed explanation of the “how” our loved ones are still here and explores how we can tune-in to their presence and communicate with them after they have died. The study of Thanatology, or the afterlife, offers scientific approaches to how each sense works, and how we can be taught to pick up the clues from the afterlife. Participants are given step-by-step instructions and demonstrations for each sense.

Come and celebrate family, friends and time together with us in this storytime celebrating what we're thankful for! We're thankful for all of our storytime families that spend the morning with us! This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required (and will close an hour before the event begins). We are changing how we share the craft kits! New kits will come out on the first and third Friday of each month and you will be able to pick up a craft kit anytime the library is open (while supplies last). Monday-Thursday: 9am-8pm Friday & Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 1-5pm To set up a curbside appointment for a craft kit you can: call us at 860-347-2528 email us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support them here: russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/