Book Giveaway

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

Happening Today!

Bilingual Music, Movement & Stories

A National Hispanic Heritage Month Program

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.

Crisol Acquarela and Grupo Quetzal Celebration

A National Hispanic Heritage Month Program

Sunday, September 24 from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

A bilingual celebration highlighting the social, economic and cultural contributions of Latinas to the Stamford community as well as performances that represent different Latin American artistic and folkloric traditions. All ages. Registration required.

Presented in partnership with Crisol Acuarela Arte y Cultura and Grupo Quetzal.

Open Game Night

Monday, September 25 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 27 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.

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 is intended to promote literacy and provide resources for parents to encourage their children to read. All ages.

Kids' Programs

Happening Today!

Decorate Cupcakes

Saturday, September 23 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Bring your imagination and sweet tooth to decorate cupcakes. Supplies, including cupcakes, will be provided. Ages 5 to 13. Registration required.

Graphic Novel Book Discussion

Monday, September 25 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Zita the Space Girl

When Zita opens a portal to another world and her best friend is abducted, she sets out on a journey to rescue her. Books are available at the branch. Snacks will be served. Grades 4 to 6. Registration required.

Bennett Babies

Tuesday, September 26 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 26 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 28 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.

Cuentos y Cantos Bilingual Storytime

Friday, September 29 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 29 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.

Teen Programs

Craft Series: Rock Painting

Wednesday, September 27 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Lower Level Teen Area

Paint a smooth rock and create your own small work of art. Grades 6 to 12. Registration required.

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.

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

Chief Justice Robinson will discuss implicit bias in this interactive lecture, Practicing the Pause. Honoring the late Dudley N. Williams, Jr., community leader and former library board chair. A question and answer session will follow. Teens and adults. Registration required.

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.

Community Diaper Drive

Main Library, DiMattia Building

First Floor Lobby

The library is one of three community drop-off spots for a diaper drive organized by Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and the nonprofit Mothers for Others. Donate unopened packages of diapers of all sizes during library hours through September 30.

Diapers may also be donated at the Government Center and 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.

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.