Calendar

The Racial Justice Book Group is offered in partnership with the Middletown Racial Justice Community and meets on the first Tuesday of each month via Zoom. Registration is required for the Zoom link, sent out the day before the discussion. The May title is In West Mills by De'Shawn Charles Winslow. To receive a copy, please place a hold in our online catalog or by calling 860.347.2520. When the copy is ready, you will be notified and can schedule a curbside pick-up. Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org May In West Mills De'Shawn Charles Winslow 5/4/21 June no meeting no meeting no meeting July no meeting no meeting no meeting Aug no meeting ne meeting no meeting Sept Transcendent Kingdom Yaa Gyasi 9/14/2021 October When No One is Watching Alyssa Cole 10/5/2021 November Vanishing Half Brit Bennett 11/2/2021 December Luster Raven Leilani 12/7/2021

Are you interested in learning how to play chess or impoving your game? Skilled chess instructor, Nolan DeMott, will guide you through all the basics on Zoom! This all ages beginner's chess program spans for six weeks and is taught in half hour sessions. Be sure to sign up for all six weeks if you really want to learn how to play this strategic game! There is no need to provide your own chess materials (a virtual chess board will be displayed on screen). This virtual program is intended for ages 7 and up. Funding for this program was supplied by the Friends of the Russell Library.

'First Fridays Book Club' will be held as a hybrid Zoom and offsite at RaMa LuNa Center for Yoga and Well Being at 282 Main Street Ext in Middletown. The May title is This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. Copies are available by placing a hold at www.russelllibrary.org. When you are notified that your item is in, you may arrange a curbside pick-up time by calling 860.347.2528 Ext. 122. Registration is required for the Zoom link. We are excited to partner with Rachel Payne and the RaMa Luna Center for Yoga and Well Being, which is located at 282 Main Street Ext in Middletown, on the third floor of the Palmer Eye Care building, next to the Historic Sanseer Mill and CVS. Facilitated by Christy Billings of Russell Library, Information Services and Adult Learning Department. Questions? (860) 347-2528 Ext 160 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org. Rachel Payne (860) 800-5862 at RaMa Luna, www.ramaluna.com. May This Is How It Always is Laurie Frankel Friday 5/7 June No Discussion No Discussion No Discussion July Untamed Glennon Doyle Friday 7/2 Aug The Orphans of Race Point Patry Francis Friday 8/6 Sept The Girl With the Louding Voice Abi Daré Friday 9/3 Oct The Exiles Christina Baker Kline Friday 10/1 Nov Anxious People Fredrik Backman Friday 11/5 Dec A Deal of a Lifetime Fredrik Backman Friday 12/3

The Middletown Youth Services Bureau, in partnership with Russell Library, will be hosting three virtual sessions on Reimagining Community & Relationships Through Restorative Justice. All three are free and open to the public. (We are offering the same session three times, so please only sign up for one session!) Monday, May 10 from 1-3 PM. (sign up below ) Thursday, May 13 from 1-3 PM. (sign up at this link: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7755373 ) Thursday, May 13 from 7-8PM. (sign up at this link: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7755377 ) This training is geared towards people who may have heard of Restorative Justice (RJ) but are interested in learning more about the framework and its application. It will cover the foundations of RJ, an overview of the broader RJ work already happening in Middletown, provide some basic tools that can be used in both professional and personal life, and leave people with a shared vocabulary and practice. Restorative Justice can be used to both build relationships and community and to repair individual conflict and community harm when it occurs. It works by both creating intentional physical space (usually through a process called “circling”) and a lens/framework to ensure that everyone involved has equal power. Organizationally, this process can be used to engage with the public and build relationships with the community that allow for continual conversations about needs and across lines of difference. Individually, it can help you frame out conversations that might be challenging and help connect you to others in deeper and more meaningful ways. Incorporating circling into your work and life can help to ensure that the spaces you are creating are meaningful, safe, and welcoming. This is especially important in the context of navigating the transition back to in person settings after COVID-19 and moving towards becoming a community centered on equity and inclusion. The workshops will take place over Zoom. The first hour will be a presentation about the Restorative Justice Framework and the second hour will be an optional chance for participants to experience and practice being in a restorative circle with one another (not available at the evening session). The training comes as a part of a broader initiative to expand Restorative Justice in Middletown through the work of the city’s Youth Services Bureau and we hope to see you there.

Making food together is not only tons of fun, but it is also a great way to celebrate your cultural heritage by passing down special family recipes! Join us for storytime on Zoom where we will read the book, “Bee-Bim Bop!” by Linda Sue Park and sing songs all about cooking delicious food! Pick up supplies to decorate a paper pizza! (Limit 2 craft kits per household). 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 online on Zoom for our May discussion! Stubborn Beauty Brewing at 180 Johnson St, Middletown, CT currently has online ordering and curbside pick-up. Order to go and enjoy at home during the discussion! Zoom link sent out 1 hour ahead of time. Please register to receive the link! The May title is The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes. 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. May Giver of Stars JoJo Moyes 5/12/21 June Plain Bad Heroines Emily M. Danforth 6/9 July Nala's World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride around the Globe Dean Nicholson 7/14 Aug The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy Rachel Joyce 6/11 Sept Anxious People Fredrik Backman 9/8 October The Exiles Christina Baker Kline 10/13 Nov The Girl With the Louding Voice Abi Daré 11/10 Dec Miss Benson's beetle: a novel Rachel Joyce 12/8

The Middletown Youth Services Bureau, in partnership with Russell Library, will be hosting three virtual sessions on Reimagining Community & Relationships Through Restorative Justice. All three are free and open to the public. (We are offering the same session three times, so please only sign up for one session!) Monday, May 10 from 1-3 PM. (sign up at this link: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7754998 ) Thursday, May 13 from 1-3 PM. (sign up at this link: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7755373 ) Thursday, May 13 from 7-8PM. (sign up below ) This training is geared towards people who may have heard of Restorative Justice (RJ) but are interested in learning more about the framework and its application. It will cover the foundations of RJ, an overview of the broader RJ work already happening in Middletown, provide some basic tools that can be used in both professional and personal life, and leave people with a shared vocabulary and practice. Restorative Justice can be used to both build relationships and community and to repair individual conflict and community harm when it occurs. It works by both creating intentional physical space (usually through a process called “circling”) and a lens/framework to ensure that everyone involved has equal power. Organizationally, this process can be used to engage with the public and build relationships with the community that allow for continual conversations about needs and across lines of difference. Individually, it can help you frame out conversations that might be challenging and help connect you to others in deeper and more meaningful ways. Incorporating circling into your work and life can help to ensure that the spaces you are creating are meaningful, safe, and welcoming. This is especially important in the context of navigating the transition back to in person settings after COVID-19 and moving towards becoming a community centered on equity and inclusion. The workshops will take place over Zoom. The first hour will be a presentation about the Restorative Justice Framework and the second hour will be an optional chance for participants to experience and practice being in a restorative circle with one another (not available at the evening session). The training comes as a part of a broader initiative to expand Restorative Justice in Middletown through the work of the city’s Youth Services Bureau and we hope to see you there.

This clinic is for people who had their first Moderna vaccine at Russell Library on April 14.

Using your cell phone to take a professional LinkedIn photo. The photo on LinkedIn is very important. Learn how to use your iPhone or android, or other smart phone to take a photo for LinkedIn that will get you noticed, and hired. Free copies of Ignite Your LinkedIn Profile by Don Wittman availble on request for in-house pick-up or curbside pick-up. 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

The weather is getting really nice and we can finally get outdoors for a picnic! In our picnic basket of stories today we'll be reading stories, singing songs and practicing our counting skills on the theme of food! So pack your blankets, chairs and picnic basket and go on a picnic! What will you bring? No kit from us necessary, just your favorite food, people and picnic spot! This virtual program is for ages birth to age 6.

Join Russell Library for a virtual celebration of minister and civil rights leader, Malcolm X on his birthday May 19 by renowned Hartford storyteller The Greatheart Griot, Andre Keitt, based on the Walter Dean Myers biography, Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary. This performance will be followed by a discussion about ways that we can create change in our community. The discussion will consist of open ended questions and different scenarios meant to inspire and motivate young people to create a piece in memory of Malcolm's legacy and inspire a call to action by any mean necessary. *These pieces may include but are not limited to: written essays, poetry, and original artwork* This program is designed for ages 10 . Registration is required to attend the zoom session and will close 24 hours before the event begins. This program is sponsored by CT Humanities

Resumes that get Results. 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.

Please join us for an interactive Zoom discussion on: "Preparing Your Body For Golf" with Gaylord Physical Therapy of Cromwell. Andrew McIsaac PT, DPT of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare/Physical Therapy is partnering with Russell Library to help improve your upcoming golf season. Discussion will include: How Can I golf with less pain? How can PT help with my game? What are the most common issues with golfers? Please sign-up to receive the Zoom link. Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org or James Russo jamesrusso@gaylord.org Andrew McIsaac PT, DPT brings a strong background in exercise therapy, Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) Graston Technique, dry needling, and McKenzie Method training to help his patients remain active following illness or injury. Andrew is Titleist Performance Institute Certified and specializes in helping golfers return to the game they love.

Join us as we brainstorm ways we can create change in our community while we discuss the Walter Dean Myers biography: "Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary." This discussion will take place outdoors at Crystal Lake in McCutcheon Park, so we encourage you to bring a blanket or lawn chair. This program is designed for young people ages 10 and up. Registration is required and will close one day before the event begins (on 5/25/21). We have a limited number of free books (to keep!) which will need to be picked up at the Russell Library prior to the online event. If you sign up for a free book, after you register a librarian will email you to confirm it is ready for you to pick up! After you hear from us you can: Pick your book up during library operating hours (Monday-Saturday: 9-5pm) or Call us at 860-347-2528 and set up a curbside appointment! The audio book is a part of our online collection and is available through the Libby app: https://lion.overdrive.com/media/1026921 If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org This book discussion is sponsored by CT Humanities and presented in collaboration with the Middletown Youth Services Bureau. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: Masks must be worn by children over age 2 and adults at all times. 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. Directions: Here is a link to the location of the City Park in google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/TCwzuc8TdZBKUgbz6 From Randolph Road (Route 155), turn south onto Millbrook Road. Follow Millbrook Road for 1.5 miles and take a right onto Livingston Road. After 0.2 miles, take the first right off Livingston Road into McCutcheon Park! https://www.middletownct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2583/Middletown-Trail-Guide-PDF (Pg 31-33)

Mystery! is a Russell Library-run book club for mystery lovers.The book group discusses a new mystery novel every month. Books are available at the Borrowing Desk. Registration is required to receive the Zoom Link. Questions? Contact Amy Slowik aslowik@russelllibrary.org. Click Here to See the List of Upcoming Mystery! Books.

Join us for an outdoor storytime, book discussion, and trail walk together for Screen Free Saturdays, at Crystal Lake in McCutcheon Park. For the grown ups we have copies of ""The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben available to check out at the library right now. (Stop by 9-5 from Monday - Saturday or call us at (860) 347-2528 to arrange for curbside pick up.) For younger people (5-12), no need to pre-read anything! We will bring copies of "Can You Hear the Trees Talking" to explore together. For our youngest attendees (Birth - 4 years old) no need to pre-read anything! We will be doing a storytime featuring "Peter and the Tree Children" and "Call Me Tree / Llamame arbol" by Maya Christina Gonzalez! We encourage attendees to bring a blanket to sit on since we will set up in the grass by the pavilion that day before the walk. For all ages! Please register below. Find more screen free Saturday events in May on the Middletown Rec page: https://myrec.middletownct.gov/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29880 Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: Masks must be worn by children over age 2 and adults at all times. 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 Middletown Recreation and Community Services and Everyone Outside! Directions: Here is a link to the location in google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/TCwzuc8TdZBKUgbz6 From Randolph Road (Route 155), turn south onto Millbrook Road. Follow Millbrook Road for 1.5 miles and take a right onto Livingston Road. After 0.2 miles, take the first right off Livingston Road into McCutcheon Park! https://www.middletownct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2583/Middletown-Trail-Guide-PDF (Pg 31-33)

The Russell Library will be closed Monday, May 31st for the holiday.