PROGRAMS

Classical Concert with Stamford Chorale
Sunday, December 11 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium
Join the Stamford Chorale for an afternoon performance of choral classics by Faure and Mozart.

Harry Bennett Branch Book Discussion
Monday December 12 from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom
Join us for a virtual discussion of The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. This unforgettable novel puts human faces on the Syrian war with the immigrant story of a beekeeper, his wife, and the triumph of spirit when the world becomes unrecognizable.

Tech Tips for Older Adults
Tuesday, December 13 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 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Tuesday, December 13 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 14 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 13 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 14 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.

Kwanzaa Jazz Cafe
Thursday, December 15 from 6 to 8 p.m.
South End Branch
Join us at our South End Branch for an evening of smooth jazz with guitarist GabeJazzo (a.k.a. Gabriel Mondesir.) Refreshments will be served.

Classic Movie Matinees: Screenings of Popular Movies from the Criterion Collection
The Cheaters
Friday, December 16 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch
In this 1945 farce, an eccentric wealthy family facing bankruptcy schemes to steal an inheritance, but a former actor they take in for Christmas complicates the plan. Not rated.

Fun with Line Dancing
Friday, December 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
South End Branch
Bring your friends to learn some popular line dancing moves. No experience necessary.

BUSINESS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Happening Today!
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.

New Day and Time
FAFSA Information Session
Tuesday, December 13 from 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom.
Learn about the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) and how it can help you secure grants and loans for college.

Resume Writing 101
Thursday, December 15 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Third Floor Technology Center
Learn how to write a resume that best meets your job search needs and sets you apart from the competition. Experience with MS Word is highly recommended.
Registration required.

COMING SOON

Kwanzaa: Community Gatherings
Tuesday, December 27, Thursday, December 29, & Saturday, December 31 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
South End Branch
A multi-day celebration of Kwanzaa and its seven principles, where you will learn about the cultural holiday and join in lighting the candles. Additional activities include: on December 27, a presentation of The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration, a documentary narrated by Maya Angelou; on December 29, fun with craft-making; and on December 31, recreation with Kwanzaa coloring sheets.

Kwanzaa: A Stamford Celebration
Wednesday, December 28 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard
A community celebration featuring Mayor Caroline Simmons and drummer and storyteller Gina Levon Simpson. Co-sponsored by Domus, the Ferguson Library South End Branch, the Mayor's Multicultural Council, the Stamford Kwanzaa Association and Stamford Stands Against Racism.

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.

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.

Pictured: See Through by Cecile Roberfroid. 

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.)