Free People Read Freely | Briana, Christy, Kim, & Stephanie

Welcome to Episode 1 of Top Shelf with Russell Library! This show is brought to you by the same team behind Middletown Strong: Looking up With Russell Library. After four wonderful community-focused seasons of Middletown Strong, the team has chosen to focus on one of our other great loves... books! Our librarians will share titles that connect to a unique theme each episode. In today's conversation, Briana, Kim, Christy, and Stephanie will explore some of their favorite banned and challenged books. They'll give you honest recommendations, so you can confidently step into your next read. Thankfully, Russell Library makes it easy to access all of your favorite titles, we'll talk about that, too! Ready to see what's on the top shelf? Come along, we'll turn the page together!

Book Recommendations

Gender Queer : a memoir / by Maia Kobabe ; colors by Phoebe Kobabe

The Perks of Being a Wallflower / Stephen Chbosky

Bridge to Terabithia / Katherine Paterson ; illustrated by Donna Diamond

The Library Vault Blog

https://thelibraryvault.com/2025/06/02/researching-a-middletown-pride-pioneer/

Bklyn Public Library: Interview with Maia Kobabe 

https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/interview-maia-kobabe

MSNBC: Interview w/ Stephen Chbosky
https://www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/watch/-velshibannedbookclub-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-by-stephen-chbosky-199844421994

Intro Music by nikitsan

Transcript

 Cheers. Welcome to Top Shelf with the librarians of Russell Library. I'm Brianna joined by Christie Billings. Stephanie Rush and Kimberly Achman, thank you for joining us today. If you've been following the Russell Library Podcast for a while, you'll notice that we've gone through some changes recently.

Our former podcast, Middletown Strong, looking up with Russell Library, enjoyed four wonderful seasons. Middletown Strong was born during COVID times as a means to bring local community members together. We focused primarily on community interviews and the happenings within Middletown, and while the community will always center us as a public library.

We now feel called to share one of our other great Loves books on Top Shelf. You'll hear about compelling reads from the people who know books best. Our librarians will share titles that connect to a unique theme each episode. This show will also invite you to learn about the many services offered here at Russell Library.

If you're not local, no worries because chances are high that your local library will have similar gifts to offer. Rest assured that even though our format has evolved, our voices remain the same. The entire team that brought you Middletown Strong is behind the creation of Top Shelf, and we're very excited to turn this next page with you.

The focus of today's show is banned books. We've decided to cover this topic because pretty much every single book that's ever been banned is a marginalized voice. More so now we're seeing a lot of that, and we really wanna uplift the marginalized voices just throughout. Like the world, and we do not support any sort of banning or challenging of books.

We are firmly against that here in Russell Library. Let's start with Christie. Can you tell us what book you brought today along with a brief description of a book? I. Sure. So I chose a title that has been at the top of band and challenge lists for a number of years. I chose Genderqueer, which is an award-winning graphic memoir by Maya kbi.

KBI uses SP pronouns, and it is the letter E-E-M-E-I-R. Air identifies as non-binary. This beautifully drawn, compelling graphic novel is heir's story of understanding heir's, gender and sexual identity. I could not put it down. It is a story that of seeking to fit into society that has specific gender norms.

What drew you to this book? I was drawn to gender queer because it has been in the news and has been at the top of band and challenged books for uh, a, a many years now. I moved this book to the top of my TBR after listening to the Brooklyn Public Libraries Podcast called Borrowed and Band. So I would encourage people if they have it on their TBR to read, don't wait.

Sometimes people challenge a book that they have not actually. Red. Mm-hmm. Uh, when groups, groups try to keep certain books off library shelves or out of the hands of other people, they close off avenues to new worlds and new perspectives. So true. I feel like that's exactly it. Like so many people who wanna banner challenge a book.

Have not read the book. Yes. I think they're triggered by the, on this one, at least the title Gender Queer is really ruffling feathers for a lot of people just based on the title. Mm-hmm. And we also know that there are lots of lists circulating among certain circles with these titles on them that many of people have not read.

But they're getting this list of books and saying, okay, every book on this list is bad. Also, it's a graphic memoir. Yeah. And people hear the word graphic. Mm-hmm. And they may not understand. Good point. Good point. Yep. Graphic. Books, graphic novels are comic book form. I didn't even think of that. Yeah, yeah.

That's a good point. But graphic in this situation is the type of art. Type of art. Mm-hmm. And it's not the type of content. Yep. Absolutely. Great. So I think that is something point that is not necessarily known. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Outside of book circles or library circles, and I don't think that's being talked about about this book specifically.

No, that's a great point. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I know. I didn't even think of that because I would, I, if you're kind of placing your mind in the other sides kind of. Perspective, they're gonna see graphic and they'll be like, no, do this. But it's like, no. Especially for young people. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yep. And like, like Christie, like you said, do not wait, like read this book.

Yeah. Because I waited as well for a while before I read this, and I think it was like a summer or two ago, I finally decided to just borrow it and read it and it was so good. Mm-hmm. I read it on my Kindle, I believe. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Um, such a great book. And it taught me so much and I always appreciate when a book can really teach me something.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. I love that. Yeah. How did this book resonate with you? This book resonated with me, um, because I was really moved after I read this book and reading the stories of Maya's life. This may not be everyone's lived experience, but what a gift to be able to read a book like this and have someone share this experience in such an incredibly open way.

You know, what a gift for someone who's looking to understand themselves and feel seen. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Or to understand others. A hundred percent. I was thinking that too. Yeah. I mean, for somebody who is, who has someone in their lives who has those questions and maybe. You know, that's not their lived experience either, but they want, they want to provide support Yeah.

Excellent. For the person in their lives. Yeah. It's a, it's a conversation opener too. Yes. Definitely. For that same reason, like, if you want, if you have, like Kim said, someone in your life who may be dealing with that mm-hmm. This is a good way for you to kind of arm yourself with the resources and open the door to that conversation.

Yeah, absolutely. Yes. Let them know it's pushing under the rug. Say that, say that again. Yeah. Letting them know that it's okay. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Because pushing this stuff under the rug doesn't make it go away at all. And it doesn't help anybody. It's actually harmful. Mm-hmm. Absolutely. Exactly. Yep. What would we lose if this book was banned?

I feel like we just answered that question right? I know we kind of did. Yeah, we kind of answered it. Well. This is like a real candid and in-depth exploration of an identity that is not often represented in media and pop culture. Um, it's beautifully illustrated. It may not be something that I've read or experienced before.

Um, but I felt like, uh, Maya was a friend and I felt like I was really understanding, uh, air experience. So it was very cool. That's so lovely. Yeah. That's really nice. Yeah. And thank you for, um, naming the type of pronouns. Sp I didn't know that term. So we're all learning here today. Yeah, absolutely. Like I know that there are different types of pronouns, neo pronouns.

Now I know SP pronouns, but I didn't know there was a specific name for that kind. So that's cool and I think it's important to still ask people what pronouns prefer. Yes. Yes. I think that may have gotten lost this year a bit. Um, and it's really important to ask. Yeah. Um, to make sure that we are, um, uplifting and yeah.

And um, empowering people to be their authentic. I was literally just reading in my book yesterday that someone was wearing a ask me about my pronounce pin, and they said, people really do want you to ask if they're wearing a pin that says, ask me about my pronouns, they do want you to ask. They mean it so you can have a conversation.

Yeah, exactly. And you can normalize the fact that other pronouns outside the binary exist. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I love that. At this point, I'll be asking everyone if they recommend the book they brought today. You will hear a specific sound based on their response. You will hear a checkout sound. If they would recommend the book, a slide whistle.

If it's yes, they would recommend this book, but with a caveat or a book dropping into the book drop. If it's a no, they would not recommend this book. So Christie, would you recommend this book? I would highly recommend this book for people seeking to understand the journey for someone who identifies as non-binary, trans, or anyone who is looking to read an amazing graphic memoir.

Love it. Awesome, Kim? Yes. Can you tell us what book you brought today? Along with a brief description? I have The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Saboski, and this novel follows Charlie, an observant wallflower as he negotiates the strange world between childhood and adulthood. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie must learn to navigate devastating loss, young love and family drama while figuring out who he wants to be. Oh, such a good book. Mm mm-hmm. I say that never having read it and watching the movie, but such a good book. Although you, you got the gist of it because the movie is a good adaptation. Yes, absolutely.

Yes. And Steven Shaki actually adapted this book and directed the film. Oh. That's why it's so, that's why it's so good. So it's as if you have read it, it's as if I have read it. What drew you to this book? The title. I remember thinking that it was an insightful way to describe what it's like to be an introvert.

Uh, when I was growing up, uh, people seemed to think that introversion was some sort of fatal flaw. People assumed we were painfully shy and socially irredeemable doomed to a life, a silent mediocrity. Oh my God, I can't, wow. All of those strung together. That's just one person's personality all. Yeah, you can tell.

Well, it sounds dreadful. You can tell it. It left a mark. And you can tell it's not written by an introvert. No. Right. An extrovert and no shade to extroverts, but percent no shade to extrover. Somebody who does not experience introversion wrote that statement. Exactly. And so the idea that there were benefits to being a quiet observer was a powerful one for me.

Mm-hmm. I also feel like we get so stuck in these labels of introvert extrovert. Mm-hmm. When it's also, there's also so much in between. Yeah. And there are certain circumstances when people are introverted and extroverted. Like it's not just you're an introvert or an extrovert. No. All the time. There's layers to it all.

Yeah. So, mm-hmm. Just narrowing it down to you are an introvert and this is who you are is not really fair or doesn't really get to the complexity of people. That's right. Yeah. Yeah. It's another label. Exactly. Yeah. That doesn't serve anybody if you don't dig any deeper. Exactly. Yeah. Was there something in this book that stuck out to you?

I, I think Sha Bosky does such a good job with portraying what it's like to be an adolescent, uh, no matter who you are. The novel is a poignant reminder of how overwhelming everything is and how deeply you feel everything. And that's true, you know, no matter who you are, each character has their own path with specific struggles that shape the adult they are becoming.

No one has everything figured out, no matter how confident they seem. And you know, I wanted to say, you know, this book has had a tremendous impact among other readers. During an interview, someone asked Stephen Saboski if he considered having his book banned as a badge of honor. He said that he didn't, although the conversations surrounding controversy can be productive, Saboski wrote this book to process some of his own adolescents and provide a path for others.

And over the years, he's received letters from people who said that they were considering suicide when they read his book, the. Letter writers said that the book gave them hope and made them feel like someone else understood them. They felt that there was a way through what they were experiencing. Yeah.

And I think it's powerful. Yeah. Mm-hmm. I think this happens with band books. People tend to think that it's something that people shouldn't read because they might be thinking about suicide. Right. And if someone is thinking about suicide, that banning a book is not going to change their mind. Mm-hmm. So I think to offer the support to offer people the, uh, knowledge that they're not alone mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. Is very powerful. Yeah, agreed. It's like a different, agreed. In a way, it's like a different way of seeing yourself. Like, oh, I someone else feels this too. Yes. But like they were okay and I'm gonna be okay. Yes. And I think the other thing about this particular book is when, 'cause most of the people who are trying to ban and challenge these books are adults, not all, but the majority of them are adults.

Adults are so removed from adolescence. Mm-hmm. That they forget that adolescence was exactly what these characters are experiencing. Not for everyone, but adolescence is very intense. Yes. It's very hormonal and emotional and everything feels like the end of the world. Right. Because that's how your brain is wired.

Yep. And you don't have experience. Exactly. That's the thing. And these adults, to me, it seems like they've forgotten. What it was like to be a teenager or they're purposely distancing themselves because maybe they did have a painful experience. Yes. And they wanna forget it. They wanna forget it. But wouldn't it be a gift to give this book to someone who may be experiencing that?

Yes. So they actually have something to help them through it. Yeah. Instead of kind of poo-pooing it and be, yeah. Yeah. You'll be fine. You'll get through this. I got through it so you can too. Mm-hmm. Not helpful. I actually really hate that, that line of thinking, because. If you got through it, wouldn't you rather someone get through it easier than you?

Yes, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. And if you don't have the language, if you don't have the words again, this book is a way of opening that door, you know, not only for the person who's going through something difficult, but you know for yourself, books are literally language. Like if you don't have the language Yes.

Hand someone the book, that's why they're bored. Yes, 100%. What would we lose if this book was banned? You know, I think we would lose an important point of connection. Yeah. You know, especially now when people are so isolated, this book really speaks to people who feel lost in their own lives and gives them hope.

Um, and I do think that at their best books communicate across time and space to find the readers that need them. People need this book more than ever, and they need it on the shelves. Mm-hmm. Very true. Heavy emphasis on, we definitely need it on the shelves. Yes. Would you recommend this book? Yes. I think it's a helpful book for young people, particularly those who may be feeling isolated.

The book is a reminder that they aren't alone in what they're feeling. It's an honest and ultimately hopeful look at growing up and coming into your own. And I would also recommend it to adults who wanna understand how to show up for the teens in their lives. The teacher in the story does a patient and insightful job of trying to connect with Charlie.

He offers ways for Charlie to express himself without telling him what to do. He understands when to listen and when to intervene. When Charlie admits that his sister is in an abusive relationship and reading this book again, it reminded me of the kind of adult that I wanna be and how I wanna show up for the young people in my life.

So I think this is a good book for adults as well as teens. Makes me wanna actually read the book now. You should. It's actually, yeah. Yeah. I mean, I read it in one setting. Yeah. It's, uh, it's just a delightful read. It really is. And this came out long before the pandemic, but I feel like we have not reentered society well and the, the young people mm-hmm.

Have not had the opportunity to have these kinds of connections and these kind of social observations and experiences, um, because they were quarantined. Yeah. Great point. Yeah, that's a good point. Yeah. And as a society, we have not reckoned with what the communal trauma that happened to us. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

And I think books are a really good way to kind of practice that because it's a safe space for you to explore whatever emotion you're feeling, especially if there are these heightened emotions that, that we're seeing in the perks. Mm-hmm. Yeah. That's so well said. Yeah. Thank you. Let's finish off with Stephanie.

Can you tell us what book you brought today along with a brief description? Sure. I brought, um, one of my all time favorite books, which also happens to be a very band book Bridge Toter BIA by Catherine Patterson Bridge. Toter Bia is a 1977 middle grade novel about Jesse, who's an artistic fifth grade boy from a poor family, and he befriends a new girl at school named Leslie, who beats him in a foot race at recess.

Leslie is what at the time was referred to as a tomboy, and she's from a wealthier family. Um, but the two of them find common ground and they become friends and spend time exploring in the woods and creating imaginary worlds that Leslie calls Tara Bia. What made you wanna pick this book up? So I actually picked this up for a class in undergrad, so I was taking a children's literature course and it was on the curriculum, and so I had to read it, but I, I think I probably would've read it anyways.

Yeah. But it was the first time it had come across my desk, per se, and it was on the syllabus. I was like, I guess I'm reading it, and I read it in one sitting. So, um, it was the first time for me that I ever saw gender roles challenged, especially in a piece of literature for young people. And I felt like it invited young readers to think outside the box of gender.

So what does it mean to be a boy? What does it mean to be a girl? What does it mean to be a friend or just like a human existing in the world? Mm-hmm. And that's really what spoke to me as I was reading it. How did this book resonate with you? It made me feel like. I am drawn to books for lots of reasons that overlap with the reasons that people are not drawn to books.

Um, so as we talk about this conversation of banning books, I'm like, yeah, gender roles are being challenged in a kid's book. Cool. Mm-hmm. Kids are out playing in the woods with no supervision. Okay. Which is how most of us survive, right? Yeah. And then there's a teacher in this book who's like. Classified as a hippie.

She doesn't have kids and she's really laid back and cool. And you were not seeing that in children's literature at the time. The kids were, the kids weren't swearing like a lot in the book, but there's a little bit of like vulgar language, which is normal. Yeah. And all this to me was like, that's kind of cool to see through the lens of a child.

And then I realized there are so many people who see those same things and are like, Nope. Get it out of the library. Get it out of children's hands. Mm-hmm. And that is really resonating with me in this time right now where. I am drawn to books that have these challenge themes because I find that makes a broader reading experience.

And then on the flip side, people are like, the thing that you think is interesting is the reason I don't want my kid to have it, and I don't want your kid to have it. So it's really sitting with me that man, not everybody reads like me, which I knew. Mm-hmm. Um, but yeah, we have to remember that we're all different kinds of readers.

Mm-hmm. And the reasons that we are drawn to books are not the reasons that everybody is drawn to books. And normalize like these lived experiences. Yeah. Like kids are going to be doing these kinds of things. Yeah. And they will see themselves in the books that they're, that they pick up. Yeah. So it's very important.

And the thing that really frustrates me about conversations around band books and challenge books is that, um, a lot of people say, well, that's too heavy of a topic for my kid, or They're not ready for it. Well, guess what? Have a conversation with your child. Yep. Yes. If you do not wanna have a conversation around the book that the child in your life is reading, then maybe that's a situation that you need to assess in yourself.

Mm-hmm. If you're not ready to have that conversation. Then that's a different situation than you don't wanna have the conversation at all. Right. And kids are, are, are learning about these things. Yeah. They see 'em finding out about them. Yeah, exactly. It's the age of the internet. So you know, you can either have the conversation and try to help them process it.

Mm-hmm. Or you're basically just leaving them. You know, no, no framework, no context, context at all. Right. The internet will have it with them. They have a phone, they have like everything they could possibly imagine in their pocket. Yeah. Yep. And you don't wanna have a conversation about, uh, gender roles or like somebody being queer.

Mm-hmm. That I feel like that should stop someone and it's not going to, but I think that mm-hmm. That's when you stop and say. Why am I not willing to have this conversation with this child that I have a relationship with? Yeah. Yeah. The world would be a better place if people had some curiosity about those things.

Yes. Curiosity. Exactly. Yep. And I think curiosity stops, or people kind of lose that curiosity as they enter adulthood, which is unfortunate. Yeah. But kids are curious. Adults should be curious too. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Like learning is a lifelong adventure. Exactly. Yes. Like always stay curious. You know? I would be so excited if my niece came up to me and was like, auntie.

What does non-binary mean? I'd be like, let's have a chat. She's nine and she's hearing these things. Sure. Or Auntie, why does this person look different than me? I mean, I'm not her parent, but I would be happy to have that conversation with her because that's how you deepen those bonds and that's how everybody grows.

Yep. Yeah, exactly. What would we lose if this book was banned? I think we would lose this conversation about breaking the binary. Yeah. Um, like in Christie's book, you touched on the binary in a different way, but this was the first time, and this is a book from the seventies where I opened it up and was like, oh, boys can do quote unquote girl things, and I hate that language.

It's very binary based. Mm-hmm. But that was at the time, boys can do girl things and girls can do boy things, and it's like. Why can't we all just do whatever we want? Yeah, exactly. We don't have to assign gendered labels to children's activities. Just because Leslie can run fast doesn't mean she's boyish.

Yeah. And just because Jesse likes to draw doesn't mean he's not also identifying as a boy. Mm-hmm. And I feel like that is a very basic intro to that conversation. Just. Boys and girls and everybody in between can pick whatever activities they want and that doesn't define their gender. Yeah. And they shouldn't be shamed for it.

Exactly, exactly. Yeah, and I feel like this is like a very easy way to have that discussion. They're fifth graders, so they're 10, 11. Yeah. You can be having that conversation with a 10 and 11-year-old. Mm-hmm. I didn't even think about this book in terms of exploring different gender roles. Like I just wa again, this is one I haven't read, but I watched the movie.

Yeah. And I'm just like, yeah, they like to go play in the Woods Media. Right. And it's like cool vibes. Well, because if you're, if you're taught from an, if you're taught from an early age that playing in the woods is for everybody, then you wouldn't clock this as a gender story. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. So it's, which is good.

Yeah, I like that. Now I can recognize that and be like, oh yeah, like look at what this was doing. And I just didn't realize it. 'cause I was like, yeah, this is cool. Well, I'm not sure I would've noticed it, but because I have studied this in a class mm-hmm. And we studied it from an analytical point of view, that was the piece that really got pulled out.

Mm-hmm. Like this is an early example of gender. Yeah. Mm-hmm. It's so cool. Yeah. Would you recommend this book? Absolutely. Yes. Uh, it's beautiful for its time. It was groundbreaking. Um, it's really emotional. No spoilers, but the end is very emotional. Yeah. So if you can handle an emotional read, I think it's worth it.

Hmm. Just, just go for it. Mm-hmm. It's, it's gonna hurt a little. Mm-hmm. It's gonna hurt a lot, but it's gonna hurt a lot. I don't think it's gonna hurt a lot. It's gonna hurt a lot, but it's gonna be okay. Yes. It's worth reading. Yes. And watching devastating reads for devastating read. Yes. Honestly, like I could have picked this for devastating reads a hundred percent.

Uh, next I'd like to touch on some ways our listeners can access banned or challenge books through their public library. So finding a list of band books is easy to do online. Which is fortunate because the access is easier, but unfortunate because the lists are many. Mm-hmm. But you can also come into the library and ask the library staff for some band or challenged books, especially ones that they have in the collection, and especially ones that fit your situation.

Mm-hmm. Because, again, as. Steven Shaki said, the fact that a book is banned, you know, means that it has thoughtful conversation, worthy content, but everybody has a different situation. Exactly. So your banned book may be different from mine. Right. If you're looking for a banned book, because it has content about police brutality, I'm gonna hand you the hate you give.

Mm-hmm. Instead of bridge to Teia. But whatever your entry point is, that's a great point, Kim. You come in, you talk to your librarian and say, here's what I'm looking for, and we'll find you what you need. And I know here at Russell Library we have multiple copies of most of the challenge books. Uh, mostly in our young adult collection, which is unfortunately where most of the cha challenged and band books lie.

But we make sure to have more than one copy of them for people to read. And we can always request them from other libraries too. But we, I. Make sure our shelves are stocked also true. Yes. Yeah. And not just in physical format. Yep, exactly. So you can access challenged for band books digitally. And, um, if that's how you prefer to take a new reading for whatever, for whatever reason, many libraries including ours, stock up on the e and audio book copies of these band books for broader access.

And checking out these books digitally is also a great way to keep your checkouts more private, if that's what you're looking for, uh, for a variety of reasons. So we, I know other libraries do as well, but at Russell Library we also have self-checkout stations and the ability to scan your own books on your phone with the Mecan app.

I didn't know what this was until I started working in libraries. Mm-hmm. Same. It's probably pretty new, but, um, the Mecan app is the original self checkout in your pocket and it's an app that you can get by downloading it from the app store or the Google Play Store, and you just use it to check out items.

Once you've linked your library card, it's very easy and discreet. Uh, so e options and self checkout are both options for more private checkouts, if that is a concern of yours at all. Mm-hmm. And we can always show somebody how to do it Absolutely. If they're not sure. Yep. Because sometimes you, you just would prefer to take something on your own mm-hmm.

And not go to a person at the desk. Exactly. Yeah. Absolutely. And as we're talking, I I also wanna point out that libraries take patron privacy very seriously. Yes. So when you take out a book, um, that is not information that we are going to share with anybody That's, and it's not stored anywhere. Nope. No.

That's correct. Yep. The only person who has access to that is. You as the patron. We have access to it in the moment as we're checking it out, but your library list and your, your library history, that is all you. Mm-hmm. We also love to put challenge book on display, not only to spark conversation, but also to encourage patrons to engage with book bands and to showcase the band and challenge books in one location so patrons don't have to hunt through the stacks for challenge titles.

You can come in with the list and say, where are these books? Mm-hmm. But. It might take you a little bit longer 'cause they might be in various sections throughout the library. Yeah. So we like to kind of culminate them all in one place. And whether you're looking for adult books, uh, teen books, nonfiction, children's books, we have access to all those things.

So if you have questions, I'm sure your local library is the same way. Ask a librarian, we're happy to help. Yes. Although we will encourage you to browse the shelves. Mm-hmm. 'cause you never know what you're going to find True. Sure. Libraries are so much more than books, so we want you to know what's happening off the shelf this month at Russell Library.

So we have this year for the first time ever, the Russell Library Silent Reading Book Club. It will be Tuesday, June 17th at 6:00 PM And the purpose of a silent reading book club is for everyone to read simultaneously with a book of their choosing for an hour. We hope that this one will allow for thoughtful engagement and a focus on L-G-T-B-Q stories and various identities represented without debate.

So that will be June, uh, 17th at 6:00 PM and another, I won't say program. Another piece of L-G-T-B-Q history, uh, can be read at the library vault. The library vault has a piece this month called researching a Middletown pride. Pioneer, and it's one of our newer library coworkers. Hannah, Avi and Hannah did a lot of work around this.

Legend in Middletown, Catherine Wells, or as many knew her sissy, so I would recommend on our website, Russell library.org to check out the library vault and read Hannah's profile about how she did some work to find out a little bit more about Sissy Wells. Yeah, and there was a kind of a. A mystery surrounding, um, sissy Wells, which is how it came not only to the library, but also the Middlesex Historical Society for research.

There was a question, um, because Sissy was a beloved figure in Middletown with a big presence, but not many people knew how she had died. And so there was a concern that she had actually been murdered, um, because of, oh, geez. Who she was. So, um, it was really interesting. Hannah did such a good job of going through different library resources to sort of piece together this person's life, starting from when they were a, a teenage boy in their yearbook to going through different public records to know when they, where they were living, when, and, um, ultimately, I'm not sure how they.

Came to this realization, but this person, sissy, did actually die peacefully, although without a lot of money, uh, in a rest home when she was, she was older. So it's, I really, I recommend the blog post. Hannah did a fantastic job, not only talking about this person's life, which was beautiful and very important, but, um, talking about, um, her research process, um, using library resources.

So it's a great read. Thanks for bringing it up, Christie. Yay. And in case you weren't aware, the Library Vault is our blog. So like everyone just said, like definitely check it out. 'cause that I haven't read the article yet. I wanted to. Um, so I'm gonna try and make that happen very soon. Um, but we actually, folks that walked in the Pride Parade had, um, well, like posters or like of Sissy Wells.

Of Sissy Wells while they were walking. And that was just a really beautiful thing to see. So cool. Yeah. And this was a portrait that was taken. Mm-hmm. And I'm sorry, I don't remember the person who did the, who did the original photograph, but it was a Wesleyan student who, um. Knew about Sissy Wells and took the opportunity to make this portrait.

And again, it's just, it's beautiful. It's beautifully done. And it's obviously just, again, a celebration of someone in Middletown who, um, was living their lives and who people loved and cared about. We'll definitely put a link in the show notes. Yes, definitely. Yeah, so it looks like it was Barbara woke.

W-O-I-K-E as the um, person who was the photographer, and I believe Barbara marched with the group. Yeah. Oh, that's so cool. That's amazing. So lots of very cool things. We had a wonderful day of pride, and if you've never been to Middletown Pride, I recommend that you put it on your calendar for next year.

Yes. Mm-hmm. There's so much joy and so much fun, and having people living their authentic lives out loud. The signs and floats this year were excellent. Yes. Excellent. Yes. It's such, yeah, it's such a joyous expression. Um, it's really wonderful to be a part of. Yeah, and we celebrate pride every other month too.

Oh yeah. Just in case 365 all year round. Had to say, maybe this is a kickoff for some really great stuff that's happening both in Middletown and at the library. Yeah, for sure. Awesome. It's time to close the book on today's episode. If you like what you've heard here, please subscribe to the show. This ensures that you won't miss any episodes.

And if you have a moment, kindly rate and review the podcast. This helps other bookish people like yourself. Find the show. Tune in next month to find out what else is on the shelf. Bye bye. Bye bye.

Your bye-bye. Was hilarious.