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Ferguson Library Happenings for the Week - November 26, 2023

Schools and Libraries

November 27, 2023

From: Ferguson Library

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GIVING TUESDAY

Support the Library on Giving Tuesday

Tuesday, November 28

Kick off the season of giving by making a contribution to the library. You'll help support all the vital programs and services we offer, including those for children, teens and families. We appreciate donations any time here.

FEATURED PROGRAM

Harry Bennett Branch Local Author Series

Ripped from the Headlines with T.M. Dunn, Wendy Whitford and Deborah Levison

Wednesday, November 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

T. M. Dunn, Wendy Whitman and Deborah Levison, authors of page-turning thrillers, will discuss their books inspired by true-crime headlines. Dunn will moderate the panel, which will include a discussion of the authors' writing lives and tips for getting published. Reception at 6 p.m.; program to follow at 6:30 p.m. Registration required.

Book sale and signing by Elm Street Books.

FAMILIES

Open Game Night

Monday, November 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

Play a game from the library's collection or bring your own. All ages.

Barbie Viewing Party

Friday, December 1 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Wear your pinkest pink and join us for a screening of the movie of the year, Barbie. Channel your inner Barbie or Ken for a chance to win our best-dressed contest and be featured on our branch Instagram. Starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Issa Rae, America Ferrera and Kate McKinnon. Rated PG-13.

Book Shop Donation Day

Saturday, December 2 from 12 to 3 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Support the library by donating your gently used books to the Friends Book Shop.

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS SERIES

The following programs are presented in partnership with the Network of the National Library of Medicine.

Zumba Dance Party

Saturday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Dance your way to fitness with instructor Pamela Arenas. No excuses! Registration required.

Harry Bennett Branch Zumba

Tuesday, November 28 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Registration required.

Community Mindfulness Project: Meditation

Tuesday, November 28 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

A brief discussion about meditation practice followed by a guided meditation with a chance to share and reflect. Please arrive five minutes early.

OTHER PROGRAMS

La Tertulia de Stamford Presents: Como el Primer Día

Sunday, November 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

This one-act drama by César Sánchez Beras is about a couple in a toxic relationship. Registration appreciated.

Easy English for Beginners: Side by Side Part 2

Monday November 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

Learn language and life skills by reading, speaking and writing. Registration required.

English Language Learners

Let's Talk: Conversation Groups

Conversation groups for English language learners. Registration not required. New students welcome.

Fall Sessions via Zoom

Tuesday, November 28

New students: from 12 to 12:30 p.m.

High beginner: from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.

Low intermediate: from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Advanced: from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, November 29

High intermediate: from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Beginner: from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Evening Sessions: In Person

Practice your communication skills in a group setting at the Main Library and Harry Bennett Branch.

Tuesday, November 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Lower Level Community Area

Harry Bennett Branch

Thursday, November 30 from 6 to 7:00 p.m.

Knit & Needles Knitting Group

Monday, November 27 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Work on your own knitting and crocheting projects in the company of others. All levels welcome.

South End Branch African and African American Authors Book Discussion

Monday, November 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. via Zoom

The Great Mrs. Elias by Barbara Chase-Riboud

A murder brings the police to Hannah Elias' glitzy mansion on Central Park West, marking the beginning of an odyssey that reveals the dangerous secrets of a mysterious woman, the fortune she built, and her precipitous fall. Join the discussion here.

Canasta Club

Wednesday, November 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Come play this fun mix of bridge and rummy. All levels welcome.

Mah-Jongg Club

Thursday, November 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Experienced players are invited to play the popular tile-based game of mah-jongg.

Beginners are welcome from 1 to 3 p.m.

Dungeons & Dragons

Thursday, November 30 from 6 to 7:45 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Lower Level Community Area

Join an imaginary band of heroes who brave dangerous situations with swords, spells and wits. Beginners welcome. Ages 18 and older. Registration required.

Lawyers in Libraries

Thursday, November 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Second Floor Study Room

Meet with a volunteer attorney for 20 minutes. Please bring any relevant paperwork regarding your case. To book a required appointment, call 203 351-8221.

Generously supported by the Connecticut Bar Association.

FINANCES, CAREERS & TECHNOLOGY

Tech Tips for Older Adults

Tuesday, November 28 from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

South End Branch

Free weekly tech help on smartphones, tablets, laptops and other devices with our experienced bilingual (English and Spanish) experts.

TechXel Stamford Accelerator Series

Thursday, November 30 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. via Zoom

Financial Modeling

Ted Stone, TechCXO

Stone has been CFO for companies ranging in size from start-ups to $2 billion global firms, including public, private equity, employee and angel ownership.

Registration required.

Please register before 12 p.m. on November 30. Zoom invitations will be sent by 1 p.m.

COMING SOON

Shine a Light on Antisemitism

Tuesday, December 5 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Screening and discussion of the film The Devil's Confession: The Lost Eichmann Tapes. This event is part of the national campaign to Shine a Light on Antisemitism. Q and A session and latke reception to follow. Registration required here.

Co-sponsored by UJA/JCC Greenwich, United Jewish Federation and the Center for Jewish History.

A Conversation with Architectural Historian William J. Hennessey

Tuesday, December 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom

Hennessey will discuss his latest book, Fifth Avenue: From Washington Square to Marcus Garvey Park, an in-depth exploration of architecture along one of the world’s most iconic streets: New York City’s Fifth Avenue. He explores the fabled street block by block, offering the chance to discover exceptional structures in Greenwich Village, Midtown, the Upper East Side and Harlem. Registration required.

WAIT LIST ONLY

An Evening with Lidia Bastianich

Thursday, December 14 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

The Emmy Award-winning public television host, bestselling cookbook author and restaurateur will discuss her new cookbook, Lidia's From Our Family Table to Yours: More Than 100 Recipes Made with Love for All Occasions. Registration required.

Book sale and signing by Elm Street Books.

ONGOING AT THE LIBRARY

Affordable Care Act Insurance Enrollment

Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Second Floor Study Room

Representatives from Access Health CT will be at the library weekdays through January 12 to enroll members in the health insurance marketplace. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that begins January 1. No appointment is necessary.

Presented in partnership with Access Health CT.

Art at the Ferguson

Connecting Nature and People

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

The juried show, presented in partnership with the Stamford Art Association, features works by local and regional artists and explores the bonds that exist between nature and people. The exhibition continues through January 2024.

We Can Help Your Book Club

Need a suggestion for your book group discussion or help locating copies? We're ready to support your book group with a variety of resources. The library has a well-curated book discussion collection, with multiple copies of each book. We can also get books for you if we don't have the title and share resources about how to have a successful book discussion. And of course, our readers advisory services can help you find your group's next great read.

For book group services, contact Anthony Marrocolla at [email protected].

Digital Navigators  

Do you need technology assistance? Have an issue with your laptop, or a new device that needs to be set up? The Ferguson Library’s Digital Navigators are here to help!

Digital Navigators operate by appointment only. Please call 203-351-8221 to set up an appointment.

By registering for programs, you may receive occasional emails about upcoming events at the library. You can opt out at any time.

LIBRARY RESOURCES

Just finished reading an amazing book and don't know what to read next? Complete this form and a librarian will send you three suggestions based on your response. We will reply to your email within 24 hours.

Notary Services at the Library

Notary services are available on a walk-in basis at the Main Library Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays by appointment only. The notary desk at the Main Library is located in the lower level.

Notary services are available at the Harry Bennett and Weed Memorial & Hollander branches by appointment only. Call 203 351-8290.

Entrepreneurs-in Residence

Starting a new business? Looking to expand your current business? Have an idea and don't know where to start? 

Our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence are available by appointment to help early stage entrepreneurs conceptualize and grow their ideas into companies. Book an appointment. For more information, call 203 351-8221.

Book-A-Librarian

Reserve up to one hour with a librarian for information or technology assistance, including assistance with our virtual resources like e-books, e-audiobooks and movie streaming. Complete this form to make an appointment.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Person-to-Person Mobile Food Pantry and Casework

Schedule subject to change

  • Yerwood Center - 90 Fairfield Avenue: Mondays from 11 a.m.– 1 p.m.
  • Stamford Manor - 26 Main Street: Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Ferguson Library South End Branch - 34 Woodland Avenue: Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Quintard Manor - 18 Quintard Terrace: Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m.
  • DOMUS - 82 Lockwood Avenue: Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 
  • Building One Community - 75 Selleck Street: Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m.
  • DOMUS - 82 Lockwood Avenue (Subject to change): Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: All clients must wear face masks inside P2P buildings and P2P on Wheels.

[More information]

LIBRARY HOURS

Main Library, DiMattia Building

96 Broad Street, Stamford

Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

115 Vine Road, Stamford

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South End Branch

34 Woodland Avenue, Stamford

Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch

1143 Hope Street, Stamford

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday 12 to 7 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.