Russell Library, the public library of Middletown, celebrated its 125th year in 2001. It is headed by a board of trustees. With a collection of 184,612 items in many formats, the library is one of the largest and best-used libraries in Connecticut. Almost 1,000 visitors a day enter the building and more than half of the city's residents hold library cards. There are regular programs from infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers right up to children in their teens. It also has extensive resources and programs for adults on topics ranging from child-care to the workplace. A computerized card catalog allows patrons to borrow books, magazines and other materials from 20 public libraries in the region. Russell Library also has an impressive collection of resources on local history.