Make friends with the library

When I'm counting my Middletown blessings, Russell Library always makes the list.

Whether they're offering a folk music concert, hosting a lively community meeting or feeding my teenagers' Japanese manga addiction, the library helps to make this a great place to live.

As the Eye noted, the staff at Russell Library recently won a statewide Excellence in Public Service Award. But if you attended the recent budget debate, you know that the library does not get sufficient funding from the City to run all of its programs, and it has had to cut back on hours in recent years.

This gap in funding is partly filled by a group of our fellow citizens called the Friends of Russell Library. By holding book sales and selling memberships, the group is able to donate about $20,000 to supplement the library budget. Here are just a few of the programs and acquisitions that were made possible in part by these donations:

•job and career service programs
•musical performances
•extra educational and entertainment DVD's
•additional books in the business and children's sections
•large print reading material and other services for older adults
•children's summer reading program
•putting old editions of the Middletown Press on microfilm.


Here's how you can help

Other than paying overdue-book fines (which my household does with some frequency), here are a few ways to help the library supplement their budget.

First, you can donate your gently used books, which will be turned into cash at the Friends' book sales.

Next, you can buy a membership to the Friends, by sending a check for $5 (student/senior), $10 (friend), $20 (family), or $50+ (contributing). Checks can be sent to "Friends of the Russell Library", 123 Broad Street, Middletown, CT 06457.

And of course, they are always looking for volunteers.

If you haven't seen it yet, you should check out their amazing website at www.RussellLibrary.org. I love their nifty search function, which gives real-time information about whether the book you want is on their shelf!