Author: Brandie Doyle

Game Changer

It’s time to shake things up in the Russell Library Games! Just when you thought you mastered the strategy, we engineered a twist to keep things interesting.

Game Changer Points

June is a busy time in Middletown, with plentiful events to drive residents out and about. That’s the kind of community engagement we cherish at Russell Library, so this month we’re rewarding prosocial behavior with our highest point values to date.

On the occasions listed at the Russell Library Games Events page, players can find Game Changer QR codes worth 150 points a pop. Those include:

• Middletown Pride on 6/6, where you could gain more than 1000 points between visiting our table on Main Street and attending the party we’re throwing at 123 Broad Street;
• Juneteenth on 6/19 at Harbor Park; and
• Summer Reading Kickoff on 6/20 at Russell Library.

In addition to the special QR codes going up at the events above, we will also quintuple all Participating Location points on those dates (from 10 points to 50 points apiece).

Much like Cinderella’s fairy godmother magic, these bonus points expire at the end of the day, so showing up will make a difference on the scoreboard. Don’t miss these opportunities to earn beaucoup points, or you might fall in the ranks!

Find Frances in the Building

10 points per Frances found x10, 100 points possible in June

1. Where would you go to recycle batteries and lightbulbs?
2. This is where you can quench your thirst on Russell Library’s first floor.
3. Look near where you would find the new titles Freedom Lost, Freedom Won by Eugene Robinson and The Escapes of David George by Gregory E. O’Malley.
4. Check out The Space, where you can play board games or reserve a tiny, private, soundproofed enclosure.
5. On the second floor of the oldest wing of Russell Library, where could you look up a book to determine its call number?
6. Where could you brush up on the latest news in print format?
7. Find the stained-glass window featuring the words “Che Sara Sara.”
8. Where would you go to find old Middletown yearbooks and historic directories?
9. How could you print an Amazon return slip without staff assistance?
10. If your car still had a CD player, where could you purchase discs to feed it?

Find Frances on our Website

25 points per Frances found x5, 125 points possible in June

1. What other major transition is happening at Russell Library at the end of May-early June, other than the RLG Game Changer?
2. What large-scale celebration takes place on the first Saturday of June in Middletown?
3. The difference between this concept and equality is that the latter means treating everybody the same, whereas the former is intended to provide similar outcomes despite different starting points.
4. Juneteenth – also known as Liberation Day – is an important date to commemorate on this timeline.
5. One way that Russell Library makes library services accessible to all residents is by choosing not to nickel-and-dime our patrons.

Find Frances in our Email Newsletters

25 points per Frances found x7, 175 points possible in June

Um … you find these Franceses in our email newsletters! We have two: our main newsletter goes out every Tuesday, and our children’s newsletter goes out every other Friday. Look all the way up and down the emails for the image below. When you see it, click it* to collect 25 points.

*But not the one below. That one is for illustration purposes only.

Other Ways to Earn Points

To see all the ways you can earn points, visit the Russell Library Games’ Points page. They’re listed from highest to lowest point value (hint hint).

In the Building

10 points per Frances found x10, 100 points possible this month

1. Where can you get several curated books rubber-banded together for binge reading?
2. Where would you go to check out if you’re feeling anti-social?
3. This is kind of a big year for America. Where will you see that commemorated at Russell Library?
4. Did you know you can check out video games from Russell Library? Find where they are displayed.
5. If you love a good “whodunit” what section of the stacks would be your go-to?
6. Where can small groups meet in privacy on Russell Library’s third floor?
7. If you wanted to start a book club, where can you get multiple copies of the same title all together in one bag?
8. Where can you buy used books whenever Russell Library is open?
9. If you wanted to convert old home movies into a digital format, where could you do so?
10. How did people listen to music before streaming and iPods were invented?

On Russell Library’s Website

25 points per Frances found x5, 125 points possible this month

1. What do you need to get a Russell Library card?
2. How can you pick up books without leaving your car?
3. Who can have books delivered to their home by volunteers?
4. How do I… 😉
5. Fill in the blank: “Reduce, Reuse, _______”

In Russell Library’s Email Newsletters

25 points per Frances found x6, 150 points possible this month

Um… you find these Franceses in our newsletters! We have two: our main newsletter goes out every Tuesday, and our children’s newsletter goes out every other Friday. Look all the way up and down the emails for the image below. When you see it, click it* to collect 25 points.

*But not the one below. That one is for illustration purposes only.

Other Ways to Earn Points

To see all the ways you can earn points, visit the Russell Library Games’ Points page. They’re listed from highest to lowest point value (hint hint).

Game Changer

Spoiler alert: there will be opportunities to earn MEGA extra points next month. Like, enough points to shake up the scoreboard. Seriously. All I’m gonna say is you should really plan to come to Russell Library on June 6 and June 20.

Get ready for the twist!

In the building

10 points per Frances found x10, 100 points possible this month

1. Where is the portrait of Russell Library’s founder?
2. Where would you find new titles for lovers and sleuths?
3. Where would you find seeds for your garden?
4. How would you get a stroller to the Activity Room?
5. How would you leave the 2nd floor if you can’t use the stairs?
6. Where would you go to make a copy?
7. Where would you go for always-available small meeting space, or to find old newspapers?
8. How would you get from our Information desk to the reading room with a cart full of books?
9. Where is the portrait of the husband of Russell Library’s founder?
10. Where would you find adult non-fiction books about the arts?

On the website

25 points per Frances found x5, 125 points possible this month

1. How many years has Russell Library served Middletown?
2. How much do you know about your local public library?
3. How can you get in touch with us?
4. What has happened at 123 Broad Street since it became a library?
5. Where is the first place you land on our website?

In our newsletters

25 points per Frances found x4, 100 points possible this month

Um… you find these Franceses in our newsletters! We have two: our main newsletter that goes out every Tuesday, and our children’s newsletter that goes out every other Friday. Look all the way up and down the emails for the image below. When you see it, click it to collect 25 points. Simple as that!