Friends Group

Who are we?

A non-profit group of citizens who believe that an excellent library is essential to a community, and who work to promote and assist the library.

What are our goals?

The Friends raise and receive funds for the library for books, equipment, programs, and staff training needs not covered in the City budget. For the future, the Friends hope to:

  • Continue to foster citizens' interest in supporting a superior library, one equipped with staff, collections, and facilities to serve the cultural needs of an expanding community.
  • Raise funds for those materials, equipment, and programs which the Library Director recognizes as needs, but for which the Library is not budgeted.
  • Encourage those in the community to recognize and use the functions and facilities of the library.
  • Promote with our legislators an understanding of the ongoing needs of a high-quality library so that appropriations are sufficient to meet the desired standards.
  • Increase the membership in the Friends of the Russell Library to bring together concerned citizens who appreciate the value of a fine library, and who are willing to devote time to accomplish our goals.

There are three ways to become involved.

  • As a member. Simply fill out the membership form, print it out, and mail it, along with your check to cover the type of membership you desire, to the address given. Forms can also be dropped at the check-out desk of the Library.
  • Through a gift or endowment. Gifts in any amount are gratefully received by the Friends and are disbursed along with other funds to support library activities. Those who might want to make a more permanent gift can contribute to the Russell Library endowment fund and can, if desired, restrict the use of those funds for special purposes. All donations to the Friends of the Russell Library, or to the Library itself, are tax deductible.
  • By volunteering. Friends volunteer to serve by helping with book sales, home services, and special events.

Accomplishments of the Friends of the Library

Since its founding in 1983, the Friends have made significant contributions to the life and work of the Russell Library:

  • Funds - Through money raised by donations and book sales, the Friends have been able to contribute $75,000 to the work of the library.
  • Equipment - Through the Friends, the Library has been able to acquire a wide variety of useful equipment: a new piano for concerts; new draperies for windows in the Hubbard Room; a sophisticated audio-visual system for public lectures; a wide variety of computers for both public and staff use; Novelist, a database that helps patrons locate books, authors, and areas of interest; and sets of tables and chairs for summer use in the courtyard.
  • Books & cassettes - Each year the Friends have made funds available to the Library for books, videocassettes, and CD-ROMs.
  • Special programs - The Friends run a service that brings books to the homebound. The organization has provided refreshments at the annual ceremony for the Edna "Ray" Shenker Literary Contest that gives awards to talented young writers in the area. The Friends have provided funds for a special jazz weekend, as well as the annual Children's Summer Reading Program.
  • Homebound Library Cards - This service is for patrons residing in Middletown apartments or houses who are unable to travel to the library. A library volunteer will deliver library materials to you. This includes books, magazines, DVDs, and books on tape.