Borrowing

Guidelines

Library Cards

Adults: Middletown residents can apply online for a Russell Library card. We will mail the card to you. You may also apply in person at our main desk. Please bring an ID and proof of your current address.

Teenagers and Children: Residents under the age of 18 may apply for their own card online.

Non-Residents

Connecticut Residents.  Residents of other Connecticut towns must present a valid library card from their hometown library.

Student or temporary cards are available for non-residents of Connecticut who are students in Middletown and for patrons who are residing temporarily in Middletown. ID will be required. Please call 860-347-2528 for further information.

Your Account

  • Please inform us of any change to your address and phone number.
  • Please report lost or missing card immediately.
  • You can login to your account to see what you have out and place holds.

Borrowing Limits

Materials may be returned at the main desk in the lobby book drop during business hours, in the book and video drops when the library is closed, or to any public library in Connecticut.

1 DAY

Museum Passes. Limit: 1 per adult card.

7 DAYS

New DVDs, Feature Film DVDs. No checkout limits.

14 DAYS

New books, new audiobooks, new music. No checkout limits.

21 DAYS

Books, magazines, audiobooks, music, non-fiction DVDs, DVD sets. No checkout limits.

More Info

Hold Alerts

If you want to receive Hold Alerts via text, login to your account, go to edit account, scroll to Mobile Settings and enter your phone number, then under Hold Pickup Notice Mobile Alerts, choose Opt-in. Scroll to the bottom and click the SUBMIT button. You will receive a confirmation text asking you to reply YES.

Meescan Self-Checkout

Checkout items in the library with your phone! Click for details.

Reserves

  • If an item you would like is checked out, you may request that a reserve or “hold” be placed on that item.
  • Requests for materials listed as “Available” are not ready for pick-up until you get an email or text notification from the library.
  • For questions contact the Information Department.

We can help you place your reserve. Please email us.

You may also use our online catalog from outside the library or any catalog computer inside the library to place a reserve yourself.

Renewals

The library has automatic renewals!

Most Russell Library materials may be renewed twice, unless on hold for another patron.

NOTE: eBooks from Libby (Overdrive) do not renew automatically. Please see How to Renew on Libby.

Fines and Fees

The Russell Library is fine-free. The Library has not charged overdue fees on children’s and teen materials checked out on children’s and teen cards since 2017. Our digital/downloadable materials have always been fine-free. Now we are offering Fine Freedom for everyone.

What's New

We are now part of the LCI library system.
Please note that you will be asked to create a PIN for your account the first time you login.

Russell Library

123 Broad Street
Middletown CT 06457

Phone

860-347-2528

Events

Online Calendar

Library Hours

Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm
Fri-Sat 9am-5pm
Sunday 1-5pm (October-March)