BOOK GIVEAWAY TIME

Annual Back-to-School Book Giveaway
Through September 30
All Branches

Kick off the school year with free books! Drop by any of our branches and get two free books for your home library. while supplies last. Grades pre-K to 12.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Open Game Night
Monday, September 18 from 5 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 game to play with others. All ages.

Family Storytime
Wednesday, September 20 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 caregivers.

Registration required.

Bilingual Music, Movement & Stories
Saturday, September 23 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
South End Branch

Meet members of the community while grooving to the sounds of music. Ages 2 to 8.

KIDS' PROGRAMS

Bennett Babies
Tuesday, September 19 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, September 19 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.

Spanish Story & Activity
(Cuentos y Actividades)
Thursday, September 21 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.

Picture Book Club
Wednesday, September 20 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Reading and discussion of Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton and Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy. Snacks will be served. Ages 7 and older.

Registration required.

Cuentos y Cantos Bilingual Storytime
Friday, September 22 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.

Babytime
Friday, September 22 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.

Decorate Cupcakes
Saturday, September 23 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Bring your imagination and sweet tooth to decorate cupcakes however you like. Supplies, including cupcakes, will be provided. Ages 5 to 13.

Registration required.

TEEN PROGRAMS

Happening Today!

The Art of Face Painting
Saturday, September 16 from 12 to 2 p.m.
South End Branch

Learn how to paint faces with artist Rene Soto.

This program offers teens the creative skills to entertain children at community events and parties. Ages 12 to 17.

Registration required.

Happening Today!

Teen Film Club
Percy Jackson & The Olympians. The Lightning Thief
Saturday, September 16 from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Join us to view and discuss the film adaptation of the book by Rick Riordan. Percy discovers he's the descendant of a Greek god and sets out to settle an ongoing battle between rival gods. Starring Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel and Sean Bean. Rated PG. Refreshments will be served.

New! Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Book Discussion
Thursday, September 21 from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

This virtual book discussion series launches with a discussion of Leckie's 2013 novel featuring the story of Breq, the vengeance-seeking survivor of a starship destroyed by treachery. Join the discussion here.

Teen Banned Book Discussion
Thursday, September 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Third Floor Technology Center
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

In the Newbery award-winning book, Bod Owens is adopted and raised by the supernatural occupants of a graveyard after his family is murdered. The graphic novel adaptation of this book was challenged in 2015 for its imagery. Grades 6 to 12.

Registration required.

COMING UP

A Conversation with Kevin Powell
Thursday, September 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

American writer, activist, and television personality Kevin Powell will discuss his book The Kevin Powell Reader, an electric and deeply inspiring selection from Powell's work.

Makeda Mays Green, Senior Vice President of Cultural and Digital Insights at Nickelodeon, will moderate the conversation. Teens and adults.

Registration required.

Mayor's Literacy Initiative Kickoff Event
Saturday, September 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
South End Branch

Families are invited to join Mayor Caroline Simmons for a morning full of stories, games, and arts and crafts. The Mayor’s Literacy Initiative event is a quarterly event intended to promote literacy and provide resources for parents to encourage their children to read. All ages.

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Memorial Lecture with The Honorable Richard A. Robinson, Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court
Saturday, September 30 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building

The library welcomes Chief Justice Robinson as distinguished guest speaker for this lecture honoring the late Dudley N. Williams, Jr., a community leader and former library board chair. Chief Justice Robinson will discuss implicit bias during his interactive lecture, Practicing the Pause. A question and answer session will follow. Teens and adults.

Registration required.

This event is presented in partnership with Stamford NAACP.

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 September.

ONGOING AT THE LIBRARY

Community Diaper Drive
Main Library, DiMattia Building
First Floor Lobby

The library is one of three community drop-off spots for a diaper drive presented by Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons in collaboration with the nonprofit Mothers for Others. Donate diapers during regular library hours through September 30. Diapers of all sizes are appreciated.

Diapers may also be donated at the Stamford Government Center and the Stamford Police Department.

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.