Message from the CEO

Participating in our Summer Learning and Reading programs is easy and fun and our many programs for all ages offer plenty of opportunities to visit the library this summer.

The Ferguson and other libraries have held summer programs for decades to help prevent the summer slide.
Over the last few years, we have worked with our partners at Stamford Cradle to Career, the Stamford Public Schools, and local camps to make sure there are books available for children attending those camps. We also partner with the Stamford Public Education Foundation to give books away so kids can start their own home libraries. It is impressive and exciting to live in a community that is working together on this very important issue.

What can you do to help prevent the summer slide? Listen to a book on that long vacation drive. Set time aside to read as a family. Invite your children to make dinner with you or take a walk in the park and try to identify the trees and plants. Work on a favorite art project or share music.

Let’s work together to keep kids learning this summer.

Alice Knapp, CEO

Bestselling Author Fiona Davis June 27

The Friends of the Ferguson Library welcomes bestselling author Fiona Davis back to the library to discuss her new novel, The Spectacular, on Tuesday, June 27 at 6 p.m. Her latest book features a story of love, sacrifice and the pursuit of dreams at New York City’s iconic Radio City Music Hall during its mid-century heyday.

Davis is the author of six bestselling historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings. They include The Dollhouse, The Address and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a GMA Book Club pick.

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for Friends members. Register here.

Save the Date: Daniel Silva July 19

Don’t miss The New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva at the Main Library July 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Silva will discuss his latest powerhouse thriller, The Collector. CNN Special Correspondent Jamie Gangel will moderate the conversation.

Silva is the award-winning, The New York Times bestselling author of 26 books, including The Unlikely Spy, The Mark of the Assassin, The Marching Season, The Kill Artist, The English Assassin and many others. He is best known for his long-running thriller series starring spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon.

Tickets are $45 for general admission, $35 for Friends members. General admission ticket includes a Friends membership through December 2023. All guests will receive a copy of Silva’s latest book and an invitation to a pre-event reception. Register here.

Find Your Voice This Summer
Keep the kids engaged and learning this summer. Our Summer Learning Club, Find Your Voice, begins June 10. We’re making it easy to read with lots of incentives and fun activities. Kids can participate by earning points for reading, completing Bingo missions, or creating and finishing their summer goals. Register online at fergusonlibrary.org or on the READsquared app from Apple Store or Google Play, and get a special notepad and pen when you join! Teens can register for their own Summer Learning Club, too.

Find Your Voice is also the theme for our Adult Summer Reading Club. Pick up a Bingo card at the library and participate in our Adult Challenge, with a chance to win prizes, including a ticket to see bestselling author Fiona Davis on June 27. Check our calendar for information on all our summer programs.

Art Exhibit Opens June 15

Our summer art exhibit, Summer in the City, launches June 15 at 6 p.m. with an opening reception at the Main Library. The juried show, curated by the Stamford Art Association, features works by local and regional artists. The exhibit will be on view through September 21.

Learn How to Read Books Online

Use the free Libby app to read e-books, audiobooks and magazines from the library’s collection. The Harry Bennett Branch will be holding weekly workshops on Libby, which is available for Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad) devices. If you are new to digital borrowing this is a great way to get started. The app is a great alternative when you are traveling or when the book you want to read is unavailable on our shelves.

Bring your smartphone or tablet, and your library card. For more information on the workshops, click here.

Digital Library: VetNow

Are you a veteran who needs help understanding what government benefits and resources are available to you? VetNow is a new online resource that answers questions about transitioning from military to civilian life. You can chat with an expert about medical benefits, pensions, the GI bill or unemployment assistance. Or take advantage of the live job coaching feature, tutoring for college courses, and a special resume lab geared to veterans. Assistance is available in English, Spanish and French. To get started, find VetNow on the library’s A-Z Resources page and use your library card number to create an account.

New Passport Hours at Harry Bennett

The Passport Office at the Harry Bennett Branch is now open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No need for an appointment; just walk in.

The Main Library Passport Office remains open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Appointments at the Main Library are recommended. For complete passport information, click here or call 203 351-8298.

Friends of the Ferguson Library

Book Shop News

Harry Bennett Donation Days

We’re accepting book donations at the Harry Bennett Branch the first Saturday of every month. This month, you can bring your gently used books to the auditorium Saturday, June 3 from 12 to 3 p.m. Donations are welcome any time at the Main Library Book Shop. For donation guidelines, visit fergusonlibrary.org/friends/book-shop.

Bag Sale on Bedford

The Book Shop will be participating in Arts & Crafts on Bedford Saturday, June 10 with a Bag Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fill a bag with books for just $15. We’re featuring titles for kids and adults, as well as music and movies. It’s a great deal! 

Staff Recommends: Celebrate Pride Month

The New Guys: The Historic Class of Astronauts That Broke Barriers by Meredith Bagby

Endpapers: A Novel by Jennifer Savran Kelly

Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyam

Library Hours

Main Library
96 Broad Street
Monday – 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
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.

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch
1143 Hope Street
Monday, Wednesday & Thurs, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South End Branch
34 Woodland Avenue
Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Passport Services

Appointments at the Main Library take precedence and are recommended. For more information or to make an appointment, visit our Passport page or call 203 351-8298.

Main Library Passport hours:

Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

Harry Bennett Passport hours:

Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(WALK-IN ONLY at Harry Bennett)