Happening Today!

Day of the Dead Craft
Saturday, October 14 from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
South End Branch

Enjoy music and food while creating traditional headpieces for a Day of the Dead celebration November 4. All ages.

Open Game Night
Monday, October 16 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.

Family Storytime
Wednesday, October 18 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

A participatory storytime featuring songs, fingerplays, story and movement activities. Ages 18 months to 5 years with an accompanying caregiver.

Registration required.

Ukulele Singalong with The CUkes
Saturday, October 21 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Sing along to popular tunes played on ukuleles by The CUkes. Feel free to bring your own ukulele and join in. All ages.

Registration required.

Full Woodworking Workshop: Build a Stool
Saturday, October 21 from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Lower Level Community Area

Master woodworker Mark Andreas will teach basic techniques needed to assemble a footstool using pre-cut pieces of wood. Participants younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration required.

HALLOWEEN PROGRAMS

Paint a Tiny Pumpkin
Monday, October 16 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Decorate a mini pumpkin in time for Halloween. Supplies will be provided. All ages; children younger than 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration required.

Wooden Pumpkin Craft
Wednesday, October 18 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch

Make a 3D wooden pumpkin to celebrate Halloween. Ages 8 and older.

Registration required.

Friday Film Fest
Friday, October 20 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Ghostbusters

A group of unemployed parapsychologists go into business as professional ghostbusters when New York City is threatened. Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver and Ernie Hudson. 1984. Rated PG

KIDS' PROGRAMS

Bennett Babies
Tuesday, October 17 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.

Preschool Movie Matinee
Tuesday, October 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Enjoy picture book videos of beloved children's classics. Ages 18 months to five years.

Picture Book Club
Wednesday, October 18 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Reading and discussion of Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe. Snacks will be served. Ages 7 and older.

Registration required.

Spanish Story & Activity
(Cuentos y Actividades)
Thursday, October 19 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 accompanying caregiver.

Babytime
Friday, October 20 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

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

Registration required.

Cuentos y Cantos Bilingual Storytime
Friday, October 20 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.

Fall Storycraft
Saturday, October 21 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Lower Level Makerspace

Get inspired by our favorite fall stories then make a craft to take home. Ages 3 and older.

TEEN PROGRAMS

Documentary Screening: Remembering the Family Store
Sunday, October 15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

A chronicle of downtown leading up to the urban renewal of the late 1960s and the families and small businesses that helped make Stamford what it is today. Not rated. Teens and adults.

Registration required.

Presented in Partnership with the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County.

Teen Craft Series: Paper Quilling
Tuesday, October 17 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
First Floor New Materials Room

Design your own masterpiece using the paper quilling technique. No experience necessary. Grades 6 to 12.

Registration required.

Managing Anxiety & Stress
Tuesday, October 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom

Licensed clinical social worker Tracey Masella will offer advice on how teens and adults can manage stress and anxiety to lead their best lives. 

Registration required.

Writing Workshop
Wednesday, October 18 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building
Ann M. Sexton Board Room

Practice your writing with Stamford author and teacher Pat Dunn, who will offer guidance and inspiration. Grades 6 to 12.

Registration required.

Introduction to ChatGPT
Wednesday, October 18 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Computer consultant Rich Malloy will demonstrate how ChatGPT works, why it's controversial and how it could change the way we use computers. Teens and adults.

Registration required.

Teen Banned Book Discussion
Thursday, October 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Ann M. Sexton Board Room

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

In the graphic memoir, Satrapi describes growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and Iran's war with Iraq. Persepolis was listed on the American Library Association's Top Ten Most Challenged Books in 2014. Copies of the book are available at the Youth Services Desk at the Main Library. Snacks will be served. Grades 6 to 12.

Registration required.

Teen Film Club: Little Shop of Horrors
Saturday, October 21 from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

The club will view and discuss this 1986 film in which a nerdy flower shop employee finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant plant with unusual appetites. Starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, Levi Stubbs and Vincent Gardenia. Rated PG-13. Snacks will be served. Grades 6 to 12.

IN THE COMMUNITY

StoryWalk
Mill River Park
1010 Washington Boulevard

The library's new Storywalk® features Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. This sweet story about overcoming your fears features a boy who is almost ready to take a leap off a diving board with encouragement from his patient father. Walk the park and read the story through October.

ONGOING AT THE LIBRARY

Earn Volunteer Hours by Reviewing Books

The Ferguson Library offers 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.

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

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.