Calendar

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/

Join us as the instant #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Red Queen and Realm Breaker series, Victoria Aveyard, chats with us about YA fantasy fiction, world-building, and her incredible body of work! 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.

View a short documentary and join in a public discussion with the University Network for Human Rights, a Connecticut coalition to reforming the criminal justice system in our home state, and Per Vage, a leader in the reform of Norway's prison 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/

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/

You’re invited to an afternoon chat with New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Land as she talks to us about her new memoir, Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education. When Stephanie Land set out to write her first book, a memoir titled Maid, she never could have imagined what was to come. Handpicked by President Barack Obama as one of the best books of 2019, it was later adapted into the hit Netflix series Maid, which was viewed by 67 million households and was Netflix’s fourth most-watched show in 2021, garnering three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Stephanie’s escape from poverty and abuse in search of a better life inspired millions. Maid was a story about a housecleaner, but it was also a story about a woman with a dream. 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 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

Our December title is Elevation by Stephen King CHANGE OF VENUE! FOREST CITY BREWING 180 Johnson ST Forest City Copies available at the Borrowing Desk. 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.

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/

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

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).

Russell Library is closed for the Holiday.

Join us for an afternoon of creating, playing and engineering with Playful Engineers! Jay Mankita, Founder of Playful Engineers, brings his knowledge, and a whole bunch of creative energy, to help kids build and design "artful mechanisms", creative tools that tell stories and do other useful things (maybe you need a grabber for those hard to reach places)! All supplies are provided by Jay. This program is intended for young people ages 7-12. Space is limited, so please register each young person who plans to participate below. Funding for this program was supplied by Connecticut Humanities! To find out more about the work that CTH does inspiring storytelling, lifelong learning, informed public dialogue and civic engagement in ways that strengthen communities and enhance quality of life for all Connecticut's residents check out their website: https://cthumanities.org/ This event is also sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library! Find out more about how you can support their mission here: russelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Relax and unwind at Russell Library-- we will have make your own bubble tea (boba), snacks, DIY stress balls, and puzzles and games for you to play. These activities are geared towards young people ages 12 (Wesleyan students are also welcome to join us!) Registration is suggested for event/weather updates.

Discover how animals like fish, frogs, turtles, and beavers survive under ice in their busy frozen habitat during freezing temperatures! Meet reptiles and amphibians who stay warm at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center all winter long. This activity is recommended for young people ages 6-11, but siblings and families are welcome! Registration is suggested for event/weather updates.

Enjoy a magical afternoon with your family. Magician and entertainer Mr. Magic will perform magic and illusions for families. It's going to be a great show! This is a family program for all ages. This will be the same show as the 1:30 program. Please select one show 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/