Message from the CEO

"Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” So said the founder of Black History Month Carter G. Woodson.

As we celebrate Black History Month in February, we will be offering many special programs and book recommendations honoring the contributions made by Black Americans to U.S. history (details in this newsletter).

Last year, as a staff, we met daily to share what we had learned about Black history. We discussed great musicians and writers as well as Black farmers, famous inventors, the Black Panthers, the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, and much more. We came out of these discussions able to understand one another a little bit better.

This year, as we continue our own education, we are pleased to offer an exhibit on Black history at the Main Library. Please stop by and take part in this enriching Black History Month experience.

?Alice Knapp, CEO

Holiday Hours

All library facilities will be closed on Monday, February 20 in observance of President's Day.

Mini-Golf is Back!

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 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Tickets are $5 per person, per round. Ages three and younger play for free. Refreshments at the "19th hole." Many thanks to all our sponsors, especially our Title Sponsor, First County Bank. Walk-ins welcome or register in advance for the February 11 and February 12 events.

Fairfield County's Giving Day - February 23

Please support the Ferguson Library on February 26, Fairfield County's Giving Day. It's a 24-hour online fundraiser for the Fairfield County nonprofits that do so much good for our community. Your support helps us buy books, offer children's storytimes and keep our Bookmobile on the road. Donate to the library on February 23 at fcgives.org.

A Novel Affair Registration Opens February 15

A Novel Affair is just two months away! Early registration opens February 15 for the library’s major fundraiser, to be held Thursday, April 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Main Library. We’re delighted to honor Polly O’Brien Morrow and Pitney Bowes for their service to the Ferguson Library and the Stamford community. Tickets are $135 and are available at benefitoffice.org/fpl. After March 30, tickets are $150. The Junior Professional price (age 35 and younger) is $75.

Thank you to our major sponsors to date:

Morrison: Friends of the Ferguson Library

Du Bois: Pitney Bowes

Lahiri: Judith Block; Ellen E. Bromley & Tom Gizicki; First County Bank; Amy & Andrew George

Baldwin: Abate & Abate, LLC; Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey; Connecticut Public; Amy & Tony Downer; Garden Homes Management; Harman; Michael & Jennifer Hyman; KPMG; Point72; Stamford Health; Wells Fargo Advisors

For sponsorship information, contact Linda Avellar at [email protected] or 203 351-8208.

Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month (BHM) 2023 highlights the theme of Black Resistance. Through our BHM programs, children, teens and adults will explore critical chapters in America’s racial history with an array of diverse cultural and family events.

Don’t miss the art exhibition Black Resilience: Love & Legacy, which opens February 1 at the Main Library. This show, curated by Jean Benoit, is dedicated to recognizing black excellence, reflecting on the community’s historic struggles, and celebrating its many achievements. A reception celebrating this exhibit of works by local artists will be held February 19 at 2 p.m. The show will be on display through February 24.

On February 27 at 6:30 p.m., author Alvin Hall comes to the Main Library to discuss his personal road trip through the history of Black resistance as described in his memoir Driving the Green Book.

On a lighter note, the public is invited to dance and sing to covers of popular Motown and R&B hits when the Old School 203 Band performs at the Main Library on Sunday, February 5 at 4 p.m.

We will also host several youth-focused programs including a BHM Musical Storytime featuring Orchestra Lumos on Saturday, February 11 at 11 a.m. The branches will host BHM storytimes, read-ins, book discussions and craft-making events throughout the month.

To register, visit fergusonlibrary.org/events.

Friends of the Ferguson Library

2023 Literary Competition Now Open

Entries for Stamford Literary Competition are due February 10. The Literary Competition celebrates excellence in student writing and is open to Stamford students in grades 3 to 12. We are accepting online entries only.

Book Shop News

The Harry Bennett Branch Book Shop will be open during the Friends of the Ferguson's Mini-Golf event on February 11 and 12. Come browse after you finish golfing. This month the bookshop will feature books on kindness and friendship to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Digital Library: Udemy

Hoping to advance your career by developing new skills for the workplace? Are you interested in personal development and enrichment? The library’s Udemy database of video courses can help. With nearly 20,000 online courses for various interests and skill levels, you can select from such areas as data science and web design, finance and accounting, and project management. The database also includes language learning courses, music and art lessons, photography classes, and more. For free access, a Google or Microsoft account is needed and users must be connected to Wi-Fi or a wired network in Connecticut. You can find this resource under Research & Learn/A to Z Resources on our website.

Staff Recommends: Celebrate Black History Month

American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who became America’s First Paramedics by Kevin M. Hazzard

Uphill by Jemele Hill

My People: Five Decades of Writing about Black Lives by Charlayne Hunter-Gault

Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen by George McCalman

Righteous Trouble Makers: Untold Stories of the Social Justice Movement in America by the Rev. Al Sharpton

A House Built By Salves: African American Visitors to the Lincoln White House by Jonathan W. White

Library Hours

Main Library

Monday – Thursday 10 – 8

Friday 10 – 6

Sat 10 – 5

Sunday 1- 5

Harry Bennett Branch

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday  

10 – 6

Wednesday 10 – 7

Saturday 10 – 5

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch

Monday Wednesday & Thursday 10 – 6

Tuesday 12 – 7

Saturday 10 - 5

South End Branch

Monday – Thursday 10 – 5:30

Saturday 10 - 2

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 – Thursday 10 – 7; Friday 10 – 5; Saturday 10 – 4; Sunday 1 - 4

Harry Bennett Passport hours:

Monday 10 - 5 (New!)

Wednesday 10 – 5

Saturday 10 – 4

(WALK-IN ONLY at Harry Bennett)