Russell Library News Updates

"Famous Arrigoni Bridge photo featured on limited-edition library card"
Months after gaining national attention when it was featured on a USPS stamp, a photo of the sun setting behind the Arrigoni Bridge is gaining more fanfare as a limited-edition library card exclusively available to Middletown residents.

"We were thrilled when this local landmark made headlines" says Russell Library Director Ramona Burkey. "The photo showcases the beauty of where we live, centering an iconic structure we get to see every day. We wanted to amplify its impact by making a place for it in our wallets."

The photograph captures an idyllic landscape in vivid shades of blue, purple, orange, and green. Looking eastward over treetops that line the Connecticut River, the arches of the Arrigoni cascade across the center as rays of sunshine burst through from behind. From this angle you can see why it won first prize as the American Institute of Steel Construction's "Most Beautiful Steel Bridge" in 1938.

"To say the image is stunning would be an understatement" remarks Director Burkey. "We are grateful to the photographer, Joe Gowac, for sharing it with Russell Library and our patrons." Gowac lived in Middletown at the time when he shot the photo. He will be the only non-resident to receive one of the small batch cards as an honorary member of this community.

Middletown residents can snag an Arrigoni library card free of charge at Russell Library. They will debut on Saturday, September 21 as part of a Library Card Crawl celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month and continue to be available while supplies last. From Brandie Doyle Assistant Director of Administrative Services Russell Library.

From Ramona Burkey Library Director:
As a follow-up to the survey and community conversations that we held last spring, we are looking to build on that work and dig deeper into Middletown's needs regarding a new library facility. As you may know, no matter what happens, the Russell Library will be staying on our current site at 123 Broad Street. But in order to start determining the size, form and function of a 21st-century library, we need to hear from you.

On October 2, 3 and 4, we will be conducting drop-in conversations and workshops at the following locations:

• Community Health Center: Wednesday, 10/2 between 1pm-3pm
• First Congregational Church: Thursday 10/3 between 12pm-2pm
• Macdonough Elementary School: Thursday 10/3 between 6pm-7pm
• Russell Library:
• Teens Only: Wednesday 10/2 between 3:30pm-5pm
• Play Pals drop-in (for little ones and their caregivers), Thursday 10/3 between 9am-11am
• The Farmers Market on the South Green: Friday 10/4 between 10am-2pm

The sessions will be conducted by Margaret Sullivan Studio. To register for a session, please visit the Russell Library Events Calendar. Since the sessions are drop-ins, you can spend as little or as much time with us as you wish.

Please share this email widely to your friends and neighbors who are Middletown residents. We want to hear from as broad a cross-section of Middletown as possible.

Thank you for offering your thoughts and opinions and, as always, if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Ramona Burkey Library Director.