KIDS SUMMER LEARNING

Happening Today!
Summer Learning Club Kickoff Events
Saturday, June 10

Visit these library locations to celebrate the launch of our 2023 Children’s Summer Learning Club.

Arts & Crafts Kickoff
From 12:30 to 2 p.m.
South End Branch

Sign up for the club while making a fun craft and enjoying an ice cream treat. All ages.
    
Help Us Decorate
From 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
First Floor New Materials Room

Drop in to create crafts we will use to decorate the library for summer. Ages 5 and older.

Sweet Games
From 1 to 2 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Check out what’s in store for our club while playing lawn games and enjoying free Kona ice treats, while supplies last. All ages.
    
West Side Branch Open House
Summer Learning Club Kickoff Events
Monday June 12 and Wednesday, June 14 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Police Activity League (PAL) Center
245 Selleck Street

Come see our newest branch, now open for children's services. Borrow books, sign-up for a library card, use our computers and learn about what's planned for our Summer Learning Club.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Disney Classic: Coco
Wednesday, June 14 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch
Twelve-year-old guitarist Miguel travels to the Land of the Dead to seek the help of his late great-great-grandfather to reverse his family’s ban on music. Starring Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Burns and Benjamin Bratt. All ages. Rated G. Registration required.
    
Happening Today!
Bag Sale on Bedford Street
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Friends Book Shop will participate in Arts & Crafts on Bedford with books on sale for kids and adults, as well as music and movies. Fill a bag for just $15.

PRIDE PROGRAM

Happening Today!
Drag Storytime
Saturday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
First Floor, New Materials Room

Celebrate Pride Month and everything that makes you special at this interactive event featuring drag performers Tiki Malone, Destiny Harmony and Frankie C. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

Outdoor Family Storytime
Tuesday, June 13 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Latham Park at Bedford and Forest Streets

Themed storytime that features songs, fingerplays and movement activities. Ages 18 months to 4 years with an accompanying caregiver.

This program is held weather permitting; participants should bring blankets and/or lawn chairs.

Bennett Babies
Tuesday, June 13 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Songs, rhymes, stories and more for babies up to 18 months with an accompanying caregiver. Siblings welcome. Registration required.

Summer Storytime Under the Tent
Thursday, June 15 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Bring a blanket or chair to this outdoor storytime featuring readings, songs, fingerplays, rhymes and other activities. Ages 3 to 5 with an accompanying caregiver. Weather permitting. Registration required.

Spanish Story & Activity
(Cuentos y Actividades)
Thursday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
South End Branch

A Spanish-language experience featuring stories, music, movement and fun. Ages 1 to 4 with an accompanying caregiver.
    
Cuentos y Cantos Bilingual Storytime
Friday, June 16 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Interactive readings, songs and activities in English and Spanish. Ages 2 to 5 with an accompanying caregiver. Registration required.

TEEN PROGRAMS

Game Night: Ticket to Ride
Tuesday, June 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Lower Level Community Area

Come play a game from the library's collection, bring your own or learn how to play this month's featured game, Ticket to Ride. Teens and adults.
    
Teen Summer Learning Club Kickoff Event
Pinot's Palette Paint & Sip
Friday, June 16 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Learn about plans for the club during an afternoon of painting and soda-sipping with our friends from Pinot's Palette. Grades 6 to 12. Registration required.

Raising Chickens in Your Backyard
Saturday, June 17 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Master gardener and farmer Mark Gostkiewics will share what is needed to start and nurture a healthy flock of chickens using organic and sustainable practices. Teens and adults. Registration required.
    
Make a Custom Button
Saturday, June 17 from 2 to 3:00 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Lower Level Makerspace

Craft a custom button that expresses your personal style. Create your own design or choose from materials provided by the library. Teens and adults.

COMING UP
    
Teen Summer Volunteer Training
Wednesday, June 28 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Earn volunteer credit by helping children and teens join our Summer Learning Clubs and record their progress. One training session required. Stop by any library branch to fill out an application and sign up for our final training session.

All volunteers must be 12 or older by June 10.

IN THE COMMUNITY

StoryWalk®
Mill River Park
1010 Washington Boulevard

The library's new Storywalk® at the park features award-winning author Yuyi Morales' picture book Dreamers, in which she recounts her own immigration story. The story will be on display at stations in the park through July.

ONGOING AT THE LIBRARY

Tiny Art Show
Community artists of all ages have their 4x4-inch works on display at all branches through June 17.

Earn Volunteer Hours by Reviewing Books

The Ferguson Library is offering volunteer hours to teens in grades 6 to 12 to write book reviews. Reviews will be featured on the library's Youth Instagram page and displayed with reviewed books at the library.
Teens may submit up to two book reviews per week. For each review approved by a librarian, teens will receive one hour of volunteer credit.
Reviews may be edited for clarity and will list the reviewer's first name, last name initial, and grade, unless the reviewer specifies anonymity. Questions? Call 203-351-8242.

LIBRARY RESOURCES

Youth Services Page
Check out our Youth Services Page with information for kids, teens, parents and educators. You'll find information about our digital books, movies and music, Linked Libraries, digital resources and more.

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.