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PROGRAMS

Women's Self-Defense Workshop

Saturday, December 3 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Club Kung-Fu of Stamford will lead a workshop focusing on setting boundaries, assessing threats and fighting back.

Registration required.

Documentary Screening: The Booksellers

Saturday, December 3 from 2 to 3:45 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

A behind-the-scenes look at the New York City rare book world, featuring interviews with important dealers in the business, prominent collectors, auctioneers and writers who reflect on book culture and the future of the book.

For teens and adult.

Introduction to Web Development: HTML, CSS & Java Script

Sunday, December 4 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

Learn how to construct the layout of a website, understand basic design principles and styling with CSS, and add interactivity with JavaScript. Must be familiar with Windows and able to use a mouse and a keyboard.

Registration required.

Friends Author Series: A Conversation with Legendary Chef Jacques Pépin

Sunday, Dec. 4 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Iconic chef Jacques Pépin will discuss his new illustrated new book, Jacques Pépin Art of the Chicken: A Master Chef’s Paintings, Stories and Recipes of the Humbled Bird with Valerie Foster, former Food and Features Editor for The Advocate.

Please note: This program is sold out. To join the waiting list please register.

Book Discussion: Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch

Monday, December 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom

This New York Times bestseller tells the unforgettable story of a daredevil female aviator determined to chart her own course in life, at any cost. An American story about independence, shedding your past, following your dreams and pushing your limits.

Tech Tips for Older Adults

Tuesday, November December 6 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

South End Branch, Second Floor Program Room

Free weekly tech help with our experienced bilingual English and Spanish team.

Let's Talk: Conversation Groups

New! Evening Sessions Back in Person

Tuesday, December 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Tuesday, December 6 via Zoom

New students welcome for English-language conversation groups.

New Students: noon to 12:30 p.m.

Basic: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Low Intermediate: 2:30 p.m.

Advanced: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 7 via Zoom

High Intermediate: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Beginner: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Community Mindfulness Project: Meditation

Tuesday, December 6 at noon

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

This 45-minute session will include a 30-minute guided meditation to help reset your nervous system and support your emotional and physical well-being. Please arrive five minutes early.

New Location!

Mah-Jongg Club

Wednesday, December 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Our popular Mah-Jongg Club is open to beginners, intermediate and experienced players.

Come play this game of strategy with us.

Meet Humor Writer Jerry Zezima, Author of One for the Ageless

Wednesday, December 7 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Humor columnist and writer Jerry Zezima will read from his latest book, One for the Ageless: How to Stay Young and Immature Even if You're Really Old.

A book sale and signing will follow the presentation.

Death Cafe

Thursday, December 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom.

Discuss death in a group-directed discussion. The objective is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their finite lives. Led by Sahara Farrugio, a licensed funeral director specializing in advanced planning.

Note: Death Cafe is a discussion group, not a grief support or counseling session.

Spanish Book Discussion: Los Años by Annie Emaux

Thursday, December 8 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Ann M. Sexton Board Room

A personal narrative of the period 1941 to 2006 told through the lens of memory, impressions past and present—even projections into the future—photos, books, songs, radio, television and decades of advertising, headlines, contrasted with intimate conflicts and writing notes from six decades of diaries.

Classic Movie Matinees: Screenings of Popular Movies from the Criterion Collection

Miracle on 34th Street

Friday, December 9 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

In this 1947 holiday favorite, a divorced New York mother hired a nice old many to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. Not rated.

BUSINESS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

The Workplace Information Session

Wednesday, December 7 from noon to 7 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Second Floor Group Study Room

Discover how The Workplace can help you prepare for a career using one of its free programs, including training for the long-term unemployed, resources for those seeking re-entry into the workplace and services for young adults.

TechXel Stamford Accelerator Series Venture Expert Talks

Thursday, December 8 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. via Zoom

Avoiding Pitfalls and Managing Software Development

Matt Krieger, Vice President, Technology, Cober, Inc.

Matt is a technologist and executive with experience in IT, manufacturing and publishing. Before Cober, Inc., he held senior IT leadership positions at Time, Inc. and the Reader’s Digest Association. 

Registration Required

Budgeting for the New Year

Saturday, December 10 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

Everything you need to know about budgeting, cost-cutting, spending plans and long-term financial tools and strategies.

Registration required.

COMING SOON

Mini-Golf at the Harry Bennett Branch

Fun for the whole family! Mini golf returns to the Harry Bennett Branch Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12 from 11 to 5 p.m. each day. Tickets are $5 per person. Under three plays for free. Refreshments at the "19th hole." Many thanks to all our sponsors, especially our title sponsor, First County Bank.

ONGOING AT THE LIBRARY

Warm for the Winter Mitten Drive

Drop off new or clean gently used gloves, mittens, scarves and hats for children (any age) and adults at any Ferguson Library location. All donations will be distributed to our neighbors through Person to Person. Donations will be accepted to Friday, January 6.

Access Health CT Open Enrollment

Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Second Floor Study Room

Open Enrollment Period for 2023 health and dental insurance coverage. Representatives from Access Health CT will be on the library's second floor weekdays through January 13 to help you enroll in or renew a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) and/or Stand-Alone Dental Plan (SADP). Whether you are renewing coverage or looking at insurance options for the first time, Access Health CT can help you understand how to enroll and what to expect during Open Enrollment. For more information, visit the program's web site.

Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics

Tuesday, December 6

Wednesday, December 7

Thursday, December 8

from 1 to 5 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Free Covid-19 vaccines and boosters will be available to adults and children from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Main Library on weekdays. No appointment necessary. Please bring your vaccine and insurance cards if you have them. In addition to primary vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna Bivariant boosters will be available.

More community clinics will be offered at the library through December 29. Clinic dates are posted weekly.

This clinic is offered in partnership with the Stamford Health Department and Griffin Health.

Tell Your Story Project

We are resuming our oral history project, Tell Your Story, an effort to capture Stamford's history through the lives of its residents. If you are a long-time resident and would like to share memories of growing up in Stamford, please let us know. We welcome photos and other memorabilia, too. You can experience the stories we have collected so far by visiting the Ferguson Library Digital Archive at fergusonlibraryarchive.org. If you are interested contact Frank Skornia at [email protected] or 203 351-8220.

Art at the Ferguson

Celebrating New Art: Work Created Since 2020

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

The juried show, curated by the Stamford Art Association, features work by local and regional artists and will be on display through January 19, 2023.

Volunteers Wanted to Help English Language Learners

The Ferguson Library is looking for enthusiastic, sensitive volunteers interested in helping English language learners develop their speaking skills in our weekly, virtual classes.

We are looking for volunteers with the following qualities and availability:

*At least 18 years old.

*Tact, sensitivity and respect for people of diverse cultural backgrounds.

*Weekly availability for several consecutive months (or the equivalent of a college semester).

No prior teaching experience required.

Interested? Contact Yelena Klompus, ELL, Citizenship & Cultural Programs Manager at [email protected] or call her at 203 351-8228 to set up a an interview.

We Can Help Your Book Club

Need a suggestion for your book group discussion or help locating copies? We're ready to support your book group with a variety of resources. The library has a well-curated book discussion collection, with multiple copies of each book. We can also get books for you if we don't have the title and share resources about how to have a successful book discussion. And of course, our readers advisory services can help you find your group's next great read.

For book group services, contact Anthony Marrocolla at [email protected].

Digital Navigators  

Need help accessing health or banking information online? Want to get up to speed on Google tools or help your children succeed in school? 

Our Digital Navigators can help you with all this and more, and even set you up with a digital device if you need one. Don’t be left behind in a digital world.

Appointments are required, and are available in English, Spanish, Arabic and Haitian-Creole. Call 203 351-8251 to book a time at the Main Library or the South End Branch.

This project is made possible with an IMLS grant awarded through the CT State Library

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

LIBRARY RESOURCES

Just finished reading an amazing book and don't know what to read next? Complete this form and a librarian will send you three suggestions based on your response. We will reply to your email within 24 hours.

Notary Services

Wednesdays beginning November 2 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch

Our notary public is available to notarize your paperwork for free. By appointment only. For information or to make an appointment, call 203 351-8292.

Entrepreneurs-in Residence

Starting a new business? Looking to expand your current business? Have an idea and don't know where to start? 

Our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence are available by appointment to help early stage entrepreneurs conceptualize and grow their ideas into companies. Book an appointment. For more information, call 203 351-8221.

Book-A-Librarian

Reserve up to one hour with a librarian for information or technology assistance, including assistance with our virtual resources like e-books, e-audiobooks and movie streaming. Complete this form to make an appointment.

COMMUNITY GOINGS ON

Person-to-Person Mobile Food Pantry and Casework

Schedule subject to change

• Yerwood Center - 90 Fairfield Avenue: Mondays from 11 a.m.– 1 p.m.
• Stamford Manor - 26 Main Street: Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Ferguson Library South End Branch - 34 Woodland Avenue: Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Quintard Manor - 18 Quintard Terrace: Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m.
• DOMUS - 82 Lockwood Avenue: Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 
• Building One Community - 75 Selleck Street: Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m.
• DOMUS - 82 Lockwood Avenue (Subject to change): Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: All clients must wear face masks inside P2P buildings and P2P on Wheels.

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Library Hours

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Wednesday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

South End Branch

Monday through Thursday 10 – 5:30

Saturday 10 – 2

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday 12 - 7 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For information about passport services, visit our Passports page or call 203 351-8298.

Curbside Pickup Available

Curbside Pickup is available for Ferguson Library cardholders.

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Phone Service

Main Library Borrowers Services: 203 351-8261

Main Library Adult Services/Reference Desk: 203 351-8221

Youth Services: 203 351-8242

Harry Bennett Branch: 203 351-8292

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch: 203 351-8285

South End Branch: 203 351-8280

Online Chat (Look for the Chat with us button on our website.)