April - COMING EVENTS AT RUSSELL LIBRARY

Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown, CT

 

COMING EVENTS AT RUSSELL LIBRARY

Russell Library Hours for April 2017

Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown has hours: Mondays 10am – 6pm; Tuesdays 10am – 8pm; Wednesdays 1pm – 8pm; Thursdays 10am – 8pm; Fridays 10am – 6pm; Saturdays 10am - 2pm; Sundays 1pm – 4pm. The library is closed Friday, April 14^th and Sunday, April 16^th. 

All library programs are free of charge.

EXHIBITS

Aries the Ram

In the lobby case throughout April. Aries is the first astrological sign in the zodiac. Aries was also the astrological sign in place when this exhibitor – a collector of rams -- was born. This is one part of a larger collection.

World War I Poster Exhibits

April 5-29, throughout the library. In order to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I, Russell Library presents a collection of original posters from the library’s collection.

Food Will Win the War brings together a variety of food conservation posters from the library’s collection featuring images that persuaded, informed, and inspired Americans to eat less, garden more, and preserve the bounty from their gardens to help win the war.

The Knowledge Wins exhibition represents a small collection of library posters promoting the work of the Library War Service.  Also on display are several hand-made posters created for the Russell Library.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

The Russell Writers’ Online Forum.  Participate any day, any time, from the comfort of your
own computer. Register and log in for this online writing group where you can post your work for critique, provide feedback for your fellow Russell Writers, exchange ideas and tips, and participate in the monthly writing prompts. Go to: http://russellwriters.freeforums.net. Beginning and experienced writers welcomed! For more information, contact Michele Rousseau at shellywriter@sbcglobal.net.

PROGRAMS

Volunteerism Forum

Saturday, April 1, 11:00am – 2:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Are you searching for a way to give back to our community, but don’t know how? Would you like to volunteer for a community organization, but aren’t sure which one to choose? Come and find out more about the various groups that need volunteers in Middlesex County. Some of the groups that will be represented include St. Vincent de Paul Middletown, United Way of Middlesex County, and Tea and New Horizons.

Drop-in, no registration.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Kickoff

Saturday, April 1, 10:00am – 2:00pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless! Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books before your child starts kindergarten! If you read one book a night: you will have read about 365 books in one year; 730 books in two years; and 1,095 books in three years. A keepsake journal will be provided by Altrusa FREE to the first 50 families to sign up for the purpose of tracking the books read.

Sponsored by Altrusa International of Central Connecticut.

Wonderful Ones

Mondays, April 3, 10, 17, 24, 10:30am. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Play, craft, music, stories and more for one-year-olds and their caregivers.

Drop-in, no registration.

Twos Are Terrific

Tuesdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25, 10:30am.  Activity Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Play, craft and circle time for two-year-olds and their caregivers. Twos Are Terrific will be held in the Hubbard Room on Tuesday, April 11.

Drop-in, no registration.

Baby Rhyme Time

Wednesdays, April 5, 19, 26, 1:30pm Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Join us for an afternoon of stories, rhymes and play for babies, birth to twelve months, and their caregivers. 

Drop-in, no registration.

Baby Rhyme Time

Thursdays, April 6, 20, 27, 10:30am. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join us for a morning of stories, rhymes and play for babies, birth to twelve months, and their caregivers. 

Drop-in, no registration.

Books to Blockbusters: A Film Series (last film of series)

Thursday, April 6, 2:00pm and 6:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The last film of our blockbusting series is Queen of Katwe, based on the book by Tim Crothers. It is the vibrant true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess. Rated PG, 124 minutes.

Drop-in, no registration.

We Were There: Russell Library Veterans’ Writing Group

Thursdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:30pm. Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This series invites Veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. All Veterans, either active or retired, are encouraged to come and share their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends. Recently members of this group contributed writings to a mural in the City Hall Council Chambers honoring Vietnam Veterans and have had their works featured in Subway Ride, a Wesleyan magazine publication.

Old Saybrook native Elisabeth Petry is a writer and former journalist and lawyer. Her first book, a collection of letters that she edited, was Can Anything Beat White?: A Black Family's Letters. Her second is At Home Inside: A Daughter's Tribute to Ann Petry. Liz is currently in collaboration with Ashley James, of Searchlight Films, to bring the people in the At Home Inside book to life through a film. She lives in Middletown with her husband, Lawrence Riley, who is a dog trainer and Commander of the American Legion Milardo-Wilcox Post 75 in Middletown, CT.

Questions? Contact Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org or call (860) 347-2528 Ext 158.

Drop-in, no registration.

Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Preschool Power

Thursdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 1:30pm.  Activity Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Stories, rhymes and other literacy fun for ages 3-5 and their caregivers.

Drop-in, no registration.

Racial Justice Book Club

Tuesday, April 4, 6:30pm – 8:00pm. Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join us for a discussion of Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. This novel opens in 18th-century Ghana, as two half-sisters meet wildly divergent fates: one kidnapped and sold into slavery, the other wed to a British slave trader. In subsequent chapters, Gyasi tells the stories of the women's descendants on both sides of the Atlantic. As reviewed in EW as one of the best books of the year, by Leah Greenblatt: “Homegoing’s arc is undeniably one of constant and often crushing injustice. Men, women, and children are ruthlessly deprived of the right to possess their own bodies, control their fates, or even speak their names—human collateral constantly aware that theirs was the kind of life that did not guarantee living. Destruction comes in uglier, less obvious forms, too: a 10-year sentence for crossing a white woman’s path in Jim Crow-era Alabama; the slow poison of heroin addiction in 1960s Harlem. As each character cedes their allotted chapter to the next, some emotional impact is necessarily lost, but it’s done in service to the larger sweep of the story—and the luminous beauty of Gyasi’s unforgettable telling.”

Copies of the book will be available at the check-out desk. For more information, contact Christy Billings by emailing cbillings@russelllibrary.org or by calling 860 347-2528 Ext. 122.

This book club is open to anyone and will meet regularly with a new book each month. No registration is necessary.

The Friends of the Russell Library Book Sale Featuring Biographies!

Friday, April 7, 10:00am – 6:00pm; Saturday, April 8, 10:00am - 2:00pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Come support your library by purchasing a pre-owned book! The Friends’ Book Sale this month features biographies. But there are more! All sorts of books, CDs and DVDs will be available! For adults as well as for children! Helping the library with funding for a wide variety of programs, The Friends of the Russell Library is one of the best volunteer organizations in Middletown. Their book sales are one of the best places to find bargains and feel good about the money you spend. 

Compassion Counts: A Community Conversation on Opioid Addiction

Friday, April 7, 11:30am – 1:30pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Dr. Jeffrey Shelton will be the key note speaker in an event that includes a panel discussion. Panelists will include individuals with lived experience. They will address opioid addiction in their own lives and how they found hope, healing and recovery. Lunch will be served.

Dr. Jeffrey Shelton received his medical degree from Oregon Health Sciences University. He completed his psychiatric residency training at Yale University School of Medicine, and was appointed Chief Resident in his last year of training. Dr. Shelton is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in the specialty of Psychiatry. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Connecticut Psychiatric Society.

Registration is required. Please register by visiting: https://compassioncounts2017opioidaddiction.eventbrite.com

Tours of Russell Library

Monday, April 10, Tuesday, April 11, and Thursday, April 13, 11:00am. Starting in the lobby, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Russell Library has a unique architectural history, beginning as a church in 1833, going through a major renovation in 1875/6, and adding and expanding throughout the twentieth century. These tours will help the visitor enjoy the complex and vibrant spaces that are within the library!

Drop-in, no registration.

Reading Buddies: Pages to Screen-The Lorax

Monday, April 10, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St, Middletown.  In this special edition of Reading Buddies, for kids ages 3-10, you and your buddy will read the book The Lorax and watch the movie edition with a snack!

Do you love reading? Or are you a struggling reader? Members of the Teen Advisory Council will help you learn to love reading or continue to love reading by being YOUR Reading Buddy! Bring your own favorite books or come find one in the library. Your reading buddy will give you a free book!

Registration is required, in person or by phone, (860) 344-8479.

Library Lessons: Learn About Our Online Resources!

Monday, April 10, Tuesday April 11, Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13, 2:00pm. Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Each day, learn how to access and use a new database from the library’s collection! On Monday, we will devote our time to our online sources for grants. On Tuesday we will show Lynda.com, an educational database that offers thousands of video courses in software, creative, and business skills. Wednesday, we will be introducing our databases that can help you with your Consumer Report questions. Thursday, for those interested in genealogy, we will give you a lesson in Ancestry.com. 

Drop-in, no registration.

Twos are Terrific

Tuesday, April 11, 10:30am. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Movement, music and dance for two-year-olds and their caregivers. 

Drop-in, no registration.

Film Screening: Haunted Honeymoon

Tuesday, April 11, 12:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Haunted Honeymoon (1940) is based on the Dorothy L. Sayers' novel Busman's Honeymoon, a Lord Peter Wimsey novel. If you are interested in mysteries, join us on April 25^th for a discussion of Dorothy L. Sayers' first Lord Peter Wimsey novel, Whose Body?

Run time: 1 hour 23 minutes. Unrated.

Drop-in, no registration.

Russell Readers

Tuesday, April 11, 6:30pm - 7:50pm. Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. We will discuss Pigeon Feathers by John Updike from the collection 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories. Discussions are based on the Great Books Foundation method in which readers talk in open gatherings, under a leader, about the great issues that have shaped civilization as reflected in the readings. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 – 7:50 pm in Meeting Room 2 at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  For more information about participating in the group or acquiring the text, contact Chantal Foster at (860) 573-2946 or email Chantal.foster@comcast.net.

The discussions are sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Gone fishing!

Wednesday, April 12, 3:00pm - 4:00pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Fishing season has begun! So join us in a fishing frenzy! Make your own fishing poles and fish to catch to celebrate this timely event.

Ages 6 - 11.

Drop-in, no registration required. 

Sign Language for Teens

Wednesdays, April 12 and 19, 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street. Middletown. Join us for a sign language program led by Gabriella Castorena, a Sophmore Psychology major at Wesleyan University. She will be introducing Deaf Culture and teach all the basic types of sign-language, such as the alphabet, numbers, greetings, food, and much more! All materials will be provided for you to keep and try at home.

Grades 7-12.

Registration is required, in person or by phone, (860) 344-8479.

Over There: The World War I Diaries of Dr. Jessie Weston Fisher

Wednesday, April 12, 7:00pm.  The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. In April, 1918, Dr. Jessie Fisher left her home, her husband and her son in Middletown, to do her part for our nation’s effort in the First World War. She traveled to France, where she worked for the American Red Cross at a hospital at Beauvais, in Picardy.  During her time abroad Jessie kept two diaries, documenting her part in one of the most historically significant events of the 20^th century.

Sarah Fisher Spencer, Jessie Fisher’s great-granddaughter, Beverly York and Rick Spencer will present readings from Jessie Fisher’s diaries, narration on her life and time in France, historic images, and songs of the period.

Sponsored in part by the Connecticut State Library and a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

Teen Fan Club: Bean Boozled  

Thursday, April 13, 3:00pm – 4:00pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. At the NEW Teen Fan Club you can hang out and geek out about your favorite fandoms: Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and many others! Bring your ideas, books, and movies! This club is for you and based on your favorite things! During the first meeting we will compete in the Bean Boozled Challenge, are you brave enough? 

Grades 7 - 12. 

Registration is required, in person or by phone, (860) 344-8479.

Readers Theater

Thursday, April 13, 7:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Reader’s Theater is live drama enacted by local actors. The play that begins this series is Mrs. Mannerly by Jeffrey Hatcher. Inspired by memories of childhood, Hatcher recounts his experiences studying manners and etiquette as taught by a very demanding and controlling teacher. This unique comic tale reveals truths about the face we present and the real selves that lie inside. Directed by Carolyn Kirsch and featuring Richard Kamins and Anne Cassady.

Drop-in, no registration.

Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library and The Middletown Commission on the Arts.

Origami

Tuesday, April 18, 6:30 pm. Activity Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Explore the Japanese art of paper folding. 

Ages 7 & up.

Drop in, no registration.

Cultural Connections Women’s Group

Wednesday, April 19, 5:30pm – 6:30pm. Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Women of all nationalities are invited to come and meet other immigrant women in order to help one another adapt to American culture. Get help with local resources and network. Share stories and tips and make new friends.
Children are welcome. Fluency in English is not necessary.
Drop-in, no registration.

Connecticut’s Role in WWI

Wednesday, April 19, 7:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Christine Pittsley, Project Director for the Remembering World War One community archiving project at the Connecticut State Library, will explore the role Connecticut played leading up to the war, what was happening on the home front while our soldiers fought in the trenches, stories of local contributions to the war effort, and how Connecticut commemorated the war.  From Liberty Loan campaigns and victory gardens to local soldiers and nurses on the front lines, you will also learn about the ways Middletown contributed to winning the war.

Sponsored in part by the Connecticut State Library and a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

Jazz Up Close

Thursday, April 20, 7:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For this event, drummer, percussionist, and composer Sunny Jain leads a quartet also featuring bassist Henry Lugo and pianist/series curator Noah Baerman along with a special guest to be announced. Mr. Jain will be presenting and discussing music that demonstrates the intersecting influences of jazz and Indian music.  

The son of Indian immigrants, Sunny Jain was raised in Rochester, NY, before attending music school at Rutgers University and moving to New York City in the late ‘90s to attend graduate school at NYU. In NY, Jain established himself as a sought-after jazz drummer, performing with a variety of artists including Kenny Barron, Norah Jones, Vijay Iyer, Kyle Eastwood, and the Asphalt Orchestra as well as releasing three acclaimed jazz albums under his own name and touring abroad as a State Department Jazz Ambassador. Along the way, he became a serious student of the dhol (an Indian percussion instrument) and formed the popular band Red Baraat, which has performed at venues as diverse as the White House, London Paralympics Closing Ceremony, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Austin City Limits, Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD festival, and an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. He is also the author of two instructional books, The Total Jazz Drummer and Drum Atlas: India.

This event is supported in part by Shoreline Arts Alliance, Inc. in partnership with the Connecticut Office of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Poet’s Corner: with Susan Allison Celebrating National Poetry Month

Friday, April 21, 1:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. It is National Poetry Month! Middletown's Poet Laureate Susan Allison will be sharing her favorite poems. Participants are invited to bring their favorite poems.

All ages welcome.

Drop-in, no registration.

Art Party!

Friday, April 21, 4:00pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Come and celebrate your artistic side by creating something beautiful. Art Party! will be celebrated each month with a new creative project. Bring your imagination and a willingness to get messy. 

Grades K-3.

Drop-in, no registration.

Concert: The Survivors Swing Band

Saturday, April 22, 1:30pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The Survivors Swing Band generates energy and excitement everywhere they perform. In this concert, they will be playing classic melodies from the Swing Era for concert goers listening -- and dancing- pleasure! Bring a dance partner, or come with friends and family to enjoy some of America’s most beloved songs.
The band features musicians from all over Connecticut, each with many years of experience. Lauren Humpage is on bass and vocals; Jeremy Alston on drums; Jules Bashkin on alto sax; Greg Butko on reeds; Bill Steinhauser on banjo and guitar; Dave Mechler on trumpet; and Sandra Wittman on piano. Based in Connecticut, the group plays the classic melodies from an era gone by--hot tunes and soothing ballads of the Swing Era--plus many of the wonderful melodies from the two decades that followed.
Families with children are welcome. 
Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Stem Buddies with the Teen Advisory Council

Monday, April 24, 4:30pm - 5:30pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Whether or not you like sushi, you will like Candy Sushi made with rice cereal, fruit rolls, gummi worms, and Swedish Fish. Members of the Teen Advisory Council will be here to help you make some delicious creations.

Grades 2 - 5. 

Registration is required, in person or by phone, (860) 344-8479.

All Sewn Up

Tuesday, April 25, 3:00pm – 5:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Learn basic clothing maintenance and repair in order to reduce trips to the dry cleaner or tailor. Russell Library's workshop will provide guidance on fixing hems, sewing on buttons, and repairing split seams. Participants will also be able to learn how to iron a shirt, skirt, or pants. See how an investment in a package of needles, several spools of thread, an iron and an ironing board can mean real savings for your budget!

For ages 14+ only.

Registration suggested but not required. Please call the Information Services Desk at 860-347-2520 to register.

Money, Money, Money!

Tuesday, April 25, 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Help Russell Library celebrate Money Smart Week with money-themed stories and crafts. No currency is necessary since you will create your own!  

Ages 3-6.

Drop-in, no registration.                       

Getting Your Financial House in Order

Tuesday, April 25, 6:00pm - 7:45pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This free workshop is offered during Money Smart Week. Topics will include a current look at the markets and the economy, risks and returns of investing, budget and debt management, planning ahead for retirement and strategies for wise investing. This informational workshop will be presented by Kathryn Dennen and Chad Burroughs, Northwest CT Chapter members of the Society for Financial Awareness.

Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Classic Mystery Book Discussion: Whose Body?

Tuesday, April 25, 12:00pm – 1:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This month we will be reading Dorothy L. Sayers' first Lord Peter Wimsey novel, Whose Body?

Copies of each month's book will be available at the library’s Circulation Desk 30 days prior. Please contact the Information Access & Adult Learning Department at Russell Library: infodept@russelllibrary.org, or call 860-347-2520 for more details or to suggest a book.

Drop-in, no registration.

Classic Mystery Book Discussion

Tuesday, April 25, 6:30pm – 7:45pm. Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The above program repeats at this alternative time.

Couponing for Teens

Wednesday, April 26, 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Need new clothes for school, a dance, or a date? Come learn how to use apps on your phone to be thrifty and get good deals! Teen Librarian and Master Couponer Heather Scussell will walk you through getting deals on makeup, apparel, and much more.  

Grades 7 - 12.

Registration is required, in person or by phone, (860) 344-8479.

How to Pay for College without Bankrupting Yourself and Your Children

Wednesday, April 26, 6:30pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. With education costs rising year after year, paying for college is a concern for most families. Additionally, the financial aid process can be confusing, intimidating, and often frustrating. Leave your checkbooks at home;, nothing will be sold at this seminar, just solid information for your financial aid planning.

Topic covered:

-How families of all income levels may be eligible for financial aid

-Which colleges offer the best financial aid packages

-How to avoid costly mistakes on the FAFSA and CSS Profile

-How private universities can cost less than a state school

-How students can potentially receive more free money and fewer loans

Presented by Peter Leppones, CFP, Financial Advisor at Apella Capital LLC.

Light refreshments provided.

Drop-in, no registration. 

Provided with support from The Friends of the Russell Library.

Little Gamers

Thursday, April 27, 6:30pm-7:30pm.  Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Join us as we celebrate Week of the Young Child!  Kids ages 3-6 and their families will have an opportunity to enjoy some classic board games together. Siblings welcome.

Drop-in, no registration.

Middletown World War I Digitization Day

Thursday, April 27, 3:00 pm-7:30pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The year 2017 marks the 100^th anniversary of America’s entry into World War One. In an effort to help preserve this significant piece of our history, the Russell Library will be partnering with the Connecticut State Library’s Remembering World War One: Sharing History/Preserving Memories project to hold a Digitization Day event. Help us learn more about the men and women who served during World War One by bringing your photographs, letters, documents, mementos, and other materials to be scanned or photographed. The digital images and stories will be added to a WWI collection in the Connecticut Digital Archive where they will be preserved for future generations. 

For more information about this event, please contact the Russell Library at (860) 347-2520 or Christine Pittsley at (860) 757-6517 or go to CTinWWI@ct.gov.

Sponsored in part by the Connecticut State Library and a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

We Read. We Play.

Friday, April 28, 10:30am. Children’s Area, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Books and games come together in this storytime with a twist! 

Ages 3-4.

Drop-in, no registration.

Healthy Me, Healthy Start

Fridays, April 28, May 26, June 23, 10:30am – 11:30am. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This free, early childhood nutrition program is designed to support parents in establishing healthy eating habits in their young children.

Registration is required and is ongoing. To register contact the Youth and Family Learning Department, 860-344-8479.

Proposal Writing A to Z: Maximize Your Chances with Foundations

Friday, April 28, 10:00am – 5:30pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This full day workshop will feature the ins and outs of grant proposal writing. It combines a comprehensive review of the proposal writing process with practical advice to increase your chances of success with foundations. Participants will learn:

-Facts and fiction about foundation grants

-How to assess your organization's grant-seeking readiness and its funding needs

-Fundamentals of proposal customization

-Submission techniques designed to get your proposal noticed

-How to follow up and what to do if the answer is 'yes' or 'no.'

 Judi Margolin, an independent consultant, workshop leader on grants and foundations will be the presenter. She served as Vice President for Planning and Evaluation at the Foundation Center in NYC and has published numerous books on the grants process.

 Lunch and refreshments provided.

Registration required, limit of 25 participants. Contact the Russell Library at 860-347-2520 to register.

Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library. 

Abacus Club

Friday, April 28, 4pm.  Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Join the fun and multiply your math knowledge with engaging math based activities and crafts.  This new club meets on the last Friday of every month. 

Ages 7 and up. 

Drop-in, no registration.

Yoga In The Hubbard Room!

Saturday, April 29, 11:00am - 12:00pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. No prior experience necessary, and no mats will be used. Our instructor will be Jeff Hush, founder of Food and Movement Therapy and a local instructor of Family Yoga, Tai Chi and Chair Yoga. Come experience what Yoga can do to assist you in feeling calmer and also more energetic. Learn how it helps promote a stronger immune system and better sleep patterns.

Drop-in, no registration.

Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

How to find a grant - Learn about Grants Databases Available at the Russell Library

Saturday, April 29, 10:30am – 12:00noon. Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The Russell Library has access to several online resources which provide information on foundations, grants and the grant process. This session is a hands on event, there will be an overview of the various resources available at the Russell Library, and then time for participants to work on their own grant needs. Laptops are provided or you can bring your own. 

Registration is requested, but not required.

Day of Crafting Fun!

Saturday, April 29, 10:30am – 1:00pm. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join us for a day of making fun arts and crafts. Let your imagination run wild as you draw, color, and create whatever your heart desires! This event is part of Week of the Young Child, a celebration of the youngest members of our community. 

Ages 3-6.

Drop-in, no registration.  

COMPUTER CLASSES

One-on-one computer lessons

By appointment. Information desk, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The topics for these personalized one-hour classes will be diverse and patron-driven including:

·         Overviews and special topics for Microsoft Office, Publisher and other applications

·         Database help for student’s homework, grant-seeking, genealogy, self-improvement, investment and small business development

·         Social Media, Email and ways to control your inbox 

·         Introduction to Digital Photography and/or photo editing

·         Patrons may bring laptops and other portable devices or use our computers for an introduction to the operating system, downloading music, magazines or books and streaming video. 

Please contact the Information Department for details or to set up an appointment, 860-347-2520.

Intro to Computers I

Tuesday, April 11, 10:30 a.m. Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Learn the basics of how to use a computer! This class is for those who ask themselves, “What do I do with this thing?” or “How do I turn it on?” whenever they see a computer. By the end of the class, participants will be able to turn on a computer, navigate the desktop, go to a website, and check e-mail.

For ages 18+ only; maximum of 8 students.

Registration is suggested: please call the Information Services desk at 860-347-2520 or sign up in person.

Smart Searching: Internet Research, Fact Checking, and Staying Safe

Thursday, April 20, 10:30 a.m. Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. With so much information available on the web, how do you know what’s worth reading? Learn how to locate fact-based information on the Internet using strong search terms and good sources. Participants will learn how to locate information, determine its source, and weigh its credibility. They will also learn how to search beyond Google for articles, images, and other resources.

For ages 18+ only; maximum of 8 students.

Registration is suggested: please call the Information Services desk at 860-347-2520 or sign up in person.

Using Excel to Manage your Investments

Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 2:00pm. Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This class will focus on using an Excel spreadsheet to list off of your investments, bank accounts, savings, and stock information in a single location (in case of injury or death in the family).

Drop-in, no registration.

Using Excel to Manage your Household Budget

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 2:00pm. Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This class is designed to help you plan, manage and understand your finances... and know where your money is being spent!   

Drop-in, no registration.

JOB & CAREER PROGRAMS

“Stand Out in Your Job Search: add more creativity, communication, and connection power to your job search strategy” – with Kathy McAfee

Tuesday, April 4, 5:45 – 8:00 pm, Hubbard room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Nothing will test you more than the job search process.  But it can also be a time of great personal growth and discovery.  Our guest speaker, Kathy McAfee, America’s Marketing Motivator, will inspire you to tackle your job search with renewed zest.  She will share her knowledge, tips, and strategies around networking and communication to help you stand out from other candidates while being true to who you are.  Remember that you are more than your resume.  Your success awaits you.  Get motivated and meet it.

At this session, you will learn about:

·         Personal Branding strategies to help position yourself for greater success

·         Networking strategies to help you make important new connections

·         Communication best practices to showcase your talent and potential

·         Creative ideas to distinguish you and bring you more joy in the process

Adult, Registration is requested but not required.

Sponsored by The Russell Library Job and Career Group.

“Social Security and Estate / Final Expense Planning” – with William Beyer and Lawrence “Bud” Reading

Monday, April 24, 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Hubbard room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Please join us at Russell Library on Monday, April 24, 2017 for a presentation by William Beyer and Lawrence “Bud” Reading of Bankers-Life covering the basics of Social Security and Estate / Final Expense Planning.  The Social Security presentation will include:

·         Social Security Basics – What it is, how do I qualify, how it is funded, how long it will last, and the latest government changes to the program.

·         How and when to claim – Full retirement age, spousal benefits, widow benefits, divorced spouse benefits.

The Estate / Final Expense Planning presentation will include:

·         Purpose of a will/trust – do I need one? what does each do?

·         Planning for final expenses, average costs, estate costs, probate costs.

·         Tools used for estate planning – tax free, probate free solutions.

Plenty of time will be available to answer your questions on these topics. 

Adult, registration is requested but not required.

Sponsored by the Russell Library Money Smart Week and the Job and Career Group.

Job Group

Thursdays April 6, 13, 20, 27, 10:00am – 12:00pm. The Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Each Thursday a different topic related to careers is discussed. Presenters range from local business people to nationally renowned authors and career counselors. A one-hour networking session follows the presentation.

Practice Job Interviews

Improve your interviewing skills and get the job you want. Bob Carlson will assist you by conducting and evaluating your practice interview. Videotaping the session is optional and confidential. One hour sessions are available. Register by calling 860-347-2520.

Resume Review

Russell Library offers confidential resume review and critiquing two Saturdays each month from 10:00am – 1:30pm with Tracy Nixon Moore, business professional and consultant. Wednesday evenings from 4:00pm – 6:00pm, Jeff Thierfeld, business consultant, will be available for resume reviews. One hour appointments are available. Remember to bring your resume. Register by calling 860-347-2520.

Career Coaching

James Kubat, associate director of the Wesleyan Career Center, gives private, confidential career coaching through 1-hour appointments Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Remember to bring your resume. Register by calling 860-347-2520.