A NOVEL AFFAIR REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Join us April 20 for A Novel Affair, an evening of food and festivities to benefit the library. We're delighted to honor Polly O'Brien Morrow and Pitney Bowes for their service to the library and the Stamford community. Purchase tickets here.

PROGRAMS

Happening Today!

TEDx Ferguson Library 2023: Renewal

Saturday, February 25 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Join us for the return of TEDx Ferguson Library 2023, a series of informative talks by local speakers on diverse topics all centered around the theme of renewal. This event will feature TED Talk videos and live speakers with presentations intended to spark deep discussion in small groups. Registration required. This event will also be streamed live via this link.

This independent TEDx event is operated under a license from TED.

Co-sponsored by Connecticut Public.

Happening Today!

A Cultural Black History Month Celebration

Saturday, February 25 from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

South End Branch

An afternoon of music and arts that highlight the struggles, challenges, and resilience of Black people. Refreshments will be served. All ages welcome.

A Conversation with Alvin Hall: Author of Driving the Green Book

Monday, February 27 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

BBC broadcaster and author Alvin Hall will discuss his new book Driving the Green Book: A Road Trip Through the Living History of Black Resistance. Here Hall describes his 2,000 miles of travel using The Negro Motorist Green Book, the definitive guide to businesses where Black travelers could safely rest, eat and sleep from 1936 to 1967.

The conversation will be moderated by Janée Woods Weber, a social justice advocate, facilitator, trainer and Hall's fellow traveler. Registration required.

Co-sponsored by Hudson Structured Capital Management LTD.

South End Branch African & African American Authors Book Discussion

Monday, February 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. via Zoom

A discussion of the Leonard Pitts Jr. novel, Freeman, which tells the story of a formerly enslaved Black man who returns to his old plantation and then walks across the South in search of his lost wife.

Tech Tips for Older Adults

Tuesday, February 28 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.

Community Mindfulness Project: Meditation

Tuesday, February 28 at 12 p.m.

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.

Let's Talk: Conversation Groups

Tuesday, February 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

In person

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

 

Tuesday, February 28 via Zoom

New students welcome for English-language conversation groups.

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

High Beginner: 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, March 1 via Zoom

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

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

New Day of the Week!

Mah-Jongg Club

Thursday, March 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Come play mah-jongg with us. Beginners to advanced players welcome.

Classic Movie Matinee

How to Marry a Millionaire

Friday, March 3 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Three New York City models set out to find millionaires to marry, but find true love instead. This vintage rom-com stars Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable. Rated PG.

BUSINESS, CAREERS & TECHNOLOGY

Basic Microsoft Word

Thursday, March 2 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

Learn how to navigate MS Word, create and save a document, and format text. Registration required.

TechXel Stamford Accelerator Series Venture Expert Talks

Software Development

Thursday, March 2 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. via Zoom

Gary Felberbaum, President, Advanced Decisions Inc., consults on technology and engineering best practices. His areas of specialization include software architecture, mobile technology and real-time mission critical systems. 

Registration required.

COMING SOON

Civility in America Series: Democracy and the Meaning of Citizenship with Richard Haass

Monday, March 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Dr. Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, who has served in multiple U.S. administrations, will discuss his latest book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens, as part of the Civility in America Series.

This event will also be available via Zoom.

Registration required to attend in person.

LIBRARY NEWS

Bookmobile News

Our bookmobile needs some repairs and is temporarily out of service. We hope to be on the road again soon!

ONGOING AT THE LIBRARY

Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics

Tuesdays through Fridays in March from 1 to 5 p.m.

Lower Level Community Area

Free Covid-19 vaccines and boosters are available to adults and children from 1 to 5 p.m. 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 Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays through March 31.

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

The library recently expanded its Passport Services to include new hours at our Harry Bennett Branch on Mondays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For information and a full schedule of our passport services at the Main Library (appointments and walk-ins) and Harry Bennett Branch (walk-ins only), visit our Passports page or call 203 351-8298.

AARP Tax Assistance

Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Trained tax counselors from AARP will offer help with basic federal and Connecticut income tax returns. For more information, including a list of required documents for tax filing and how to file online visit our Income Tax Resources Page.

This assistance will continue at the Harry Bennett Branch through April 17.

Tell Your Story Project

We have resumed 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.

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  

Do you need technology assistance? Have an issue with your laptop, or a new device that needs to be set up? The Ferguson Library’s Digital Navigators are here to help!

Digital Navigators operate by appointment only. Please call 203-351-8221 to set up and appointment.

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 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.

[More information]