Documentary Screening: In Remembrance of Martin

Monday, January 16 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 to 5 p.m.

Main Library, Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

In Remembrance of Martin features personal comments from family, friends and advisors of the late Civil Rights icon the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The documentary includes commentary from late movement leaders Coretta Scott King, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Julian Bond, Sen. Edward Kennedy, Cong. John Lewis and Bishop Desmond Tutu as well as former President Jimmy Carter and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

PROGRAMS

Tech Tips for Older Adults

Tuesday, January 17 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

Tuesday, January 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

In person

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Tuesday, January 17 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, January 18 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, January 17 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.

Mah-Jongg Club

Wednesday, January 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Play mah-jongg with us. Beginner to advanced players welcome.

Death Cafe

Thursday, January 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom

A discussion about increasing the awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives.. With Sahara Farrugio, a licensed funeral director specializing in advanced planning.

Note: Death cafe is not grief support or counseling.

Building Bridges with Books:

I'm Possible: A Story of Survival, a Tuba and the Small Miracle of a Big Dream

This year's Community Read Book is Richard Antoine White's inspiring memoir, which takes readers from the streets of Baltimore to the halls of the New Mexico Philharmonic. This story of perseverance is available in multiple formats at the library.

Presented in partnership with the United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan & Darien; the Jewish Community Relations Council, The Interfaith Council of Southwest Connecticut; the Mayor's Multicultural Council; and Elm Street Books.

I'm Possible Book Discussions

Thursday, January 19 from 3 to 4 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Sunday, January 22 from 1 to 2 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor, Ann M. Sexton Board Room

The Power of Music Panel Discussion

Tuesday, January 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Featured speakers are Project Music's Gabrielle Molina, Program Director; Garrett Mendez, Artistic Director; and Selin Agurcia, a former student. Contact Sharon Lewis, Director of JCRC at [email protected].

Please Note: This program is currently at capacity and has a wait list.

Ballroom Dance Workshop

Thursday, January 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Learn to dance like a pro with dance instructor Simone Assboeck, who will lead a four-part workshop covering the basic steps of the sultry rumba and high-spirited swing. Singles welcome; partners will be rotated. No prior dance experience required. Registration and attendance required for all four sessions.

Classic Movie Matinee

Friday, January 20 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

The second installment in a January series of Film Noir classics features the 1941 movie The Maltese Falcon. Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor and Peter Lorre star in this story which revolves around San Francisco detective Sam Spade's dangerous quest to obtain a priceless statuette. Not rated.

Documentary Series: Making Black America

Saturday, January 21 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

South End Branch

Second screening of the four-part documentary series Making Black America; Through the Grapevine, hosted, produced and written by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. This four-part series chronicles the vast social networks and organizations created by and for Black people beyond the reach of the white gaze. Each one-hour episode will be shown on consecutive Saturdays through February 4.

Women's Self-Defense Workshop

Saturday, January 21 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.

Health Career Pathways

Wednesday, January 18 from 12 to 5 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Second Floor Study Room

Learn about The Workplace's HealthCareRX Academy which provides occupational training and readiness and other support to individuals who desire a career in healthcare.

Presented in partnership with The Workplace.

FAFSA Assistance

Thursday, January 19 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

Sign up for one-on-one help in filling out the Free Application for Financial Student Aid for college. To book a required 30-minute appointment call 203 351-8221. Registration required.

Presented in partnership with the CONNTAC Educational Opportunity Organization.

TechXel Stamford Accelerator Series Venture Expert Talks

Thursday, January 19 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. via Zoom

Business Formation & Contracts

Russell Anderson, Esq. Pullman & Comley

Russ has extensive experience advising clients in the software, e-commerce, marketing, market research, healthcare and biotechnology industry. His general business practice includes representing clients in mergers and acquisitions, joint venture and financing transactions and also works with clients on license agreements related to software and technology. 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 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Tickets are $5 per person, per round. Under three plays for free. Refreshments at the "19th hole." Many thanks to all our sponsors, especially our title sponsor, First County Bank. Advanced registration encouraged for February 11 and February 12, but walk-ins are 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

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 travels using The Negro Motorist Green Book, the definitive guidel to businesses where Black travelers could safely rest, eat and sleep from 1936 to 1967.

The conversation with Alvin Hall will be moderated by Janée Woods Weber, an activist, advocate, facilitator, trainer for social justice issues, and Hall's fellow traveler. Registration required.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Stamford Senior Center Community Survey

The Stamford Senior Center is a non- profit organization that has been serving older adults in the community since 1997.

In order to strengthen and enhance its services, the center is looking for feedback. It's asking seniors who visit the center-- as well as those who don't-- to take a brief survey. The goal is finding out more from Stamford's seniors about what they think a senior center should look like, where it should be located and the kinds of programs and services it should offer.

Take the survey here.

ONGOING AT THE LIBRARY

Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics

Monday, January 16

Tuesday, January 17

Wednesday, January 18

Thursday, January 19

Friday, January 20

Main Library, 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.

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

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.

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.

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,. 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.

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.

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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