MIDDLETOWN — Spooky things are being reported at the nearly 200-year-old Russell Library, so much so that the administration called in the Eastern Connecticut Paranormal Society to conduct two nighttime investigations into the "secrets" of the facility.

Those conjuring up the idea of malevolent ghosts in the house, as portrayed in horror films such as 1982's "Poltergeist," need not worry, according to Director Ramona Burkey. Investigators told her that the facility is "as spirited as it can get without being haunted," and perhaps occupied by "nonmalevolent" entities.

Last month, the library held four after-hour tours in the dark, during which staff led visitors on 30-minute excursions called "Secrets of Russell Library."

A presentation, "The Truth Behind Investigating the Unknown," will be held Dec. 9 at 123 Broad St. It is based on the paranormal society's findings in April and August.

The circa 1876 main building is surrounded by several others that were cobbled together over the years, including an 1834 church and 1960s bank. The children's area was remodeled in 1972 and 1983, when the church and children's area were connected.

The young adult section is located in what was the basement of the old church, which dates back nearly two centuries, Burkey said.

ECPS members recorded phenomena there, which included DVD and CD racks mysteriously opening. "We have a lot of people reporting — staff members and others — that they have felt or seen or heard things in that old portion of the library," the director said.

Investigators say they captured the drawers open very slowly on film when no one was around, which is explained during the Sept. 7 Middletown Strong podcast hosted by Cate Tsahalis.

"We have checked the DVD drawers a million times to make sure they are level," the director said. "Six ways to Sunday, we have checked them, and still, the drawers come out at weird, random times."

Assistant Director for Public Services librarian Mary Dattilo has reported a few incidents, including one that happened while meeting with another employee in her former office near the teen section.

"I felt a hand drop down onto my shoulder," Dattilo said. "I turned around and nobody was there. When I turned back, the other staff member was staring at me."

Turns out, the man saw her hair being moved aside right before she said anything. "It wasn't scary, so maybe it was somebody saying 'good job.' I had no idea," Dattilo said, laughing. "It wasn't threatening. It wasn't scary."

The two shrugged at one another and moved on with the meeting.

The library also owns the house on Court Street to the west of the grounds, which is used as an annex. Twice, while entirely alone, Dattilo heard a man's voice call her name very clearly. Everyone in the building was in a meeting next door.

Dattilo told that story on the podcast.

Later that day, everyone had left the annex offices for the day. Dattilo was gathering her belongings and again heard her name called out. "It was like it was in response to the story I had just told. That was a very cool sequel to that.

"It was the same exact scenario," she said.

Burkey hasn't experienced any unusual happenings. "I guess I'm not gifted with that kind of perception ... but if I hear or see something to the contrary, I'll give it an open mind. ... It's intriguing to think that there are personalities or something dating back to 200 years ago."

She's heard that the library had a custodian who lived in that area. "We wonder if there's some sort of energy related to that lingering. We just don't know."

The ECPS set up audio and video recording equipment in certain areas where phenomena had been reported over the years, and used a spirit box, a device that scans radio stations for alleged signs of communication in the white noise.

"They did get some footage," said Burkey, who didn't want to reveal too much ahead of the Dec. 9 presentation. "It made me say 'hmmm.' I'm probably what you would call a skeptic, but ... it makes me want to know more."

They also found unusual activity in the old church bell tower that faces Court Street, where the library administrator's office once was located. "Maybe there's a library director lingering and keeping watch over the staff and the patrons in the books," Burkey noted "It's a fascinating history."

There are "nooks and crannies" that remain unexplored, and, because of modifications made over the years, there are stairwells that end abruptly, she said.

These elements resulted from the library's setup. "It's not as simple as connecting a wall, and boom, you're done," Burkey said. "You end up with these really, really random things, like bizarre, creepy hallways."

Ursula Wiebusch and Melissa Whited of the ECPS revealed more information during the podcast, such as librarian Briana Gagnan's unusual experiences during one of the October tours.

Gagnon, who was in the teen area, said she heard an "eerie" whistling sound. She thought, "Is that a patron messing with me or was that really something else?"

When she asked two coworkers whether they had heard the same thing, they hadn't, Gagnon said.

The second incident was in the third-floor biography area, she said. "I had this feeling that something was there, so I kept looking over my shoulder. I was like, 'there's nothing there.'"

Then she got a feeling that she should "get out of there."

The presentation will take place in the Hubbard Room Dec. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. To register, go to russelllibrary.org.