Early Registration Open For A Novel Affair

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. Early bird ticket pricing available through March 30. Purchase tickets here.

Programs

English Language Learners

Easy English for Beginners: Side by Side (Part 3)

Monday, March 6 and Thursday, March 9

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

Learn language and life skills through reading, speaking and writing. Registration required. Register at the Second Floor Reference Desk or by calling 203 351-8228. For information, email [email protected].

Let's Talk: Conversation Groups

Tuesday, March 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

In person

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Tuesday, March 7 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 8 via Zoom

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

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

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch Book Discussion

Monday, March 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom

A discussion of The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. This New York Times bestseller is a fictional, captivating look at the real women behind the Oxford English Dictionary.

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.

Tech Tips for Older Adults

Tuesday, March 7 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, March 7 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.

New! Social Justice Book Discussion

Wednesday, March 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

A discussion of The New Jim Crow by civil rights activist Michelle Alexander. The book is an examination of America’s criminal justice system, which she argues operates as a system of racial control.

Please Note: This program currently has a wait list.

Ballroom Dance Workshop

Wednesday, March 8 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Dance like a pro with professional instructor Simone Assboeck, who will lead us through 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 necessary. Registration required. Attendance required at all four sessions.

Mah-Jongg Club

Thursday, March 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

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

Spanish Book Discussion

Thursday, March 9 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

In El Color Del Silencio by Elia Barcelo a famous painter estranged from her family decides to investigate the death of her sister, which took place forty years ago.

Annual Celebration of Women

Saturday, March 11 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

South End Branch

Commemoration that explores the 2023 theme: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories. Event will feature guest speakers Ana Gallegos of the Mayor's Multicultural Council; Bianca Shin-Desras, Director of Family Advocacy, Middle School Programs at Domus Kids; Lana Gifas, Executive Director of the Women's Mentoring Network, Inc.; and a musical performance by King School student Ayanaa Doreste. Lunch will be served.

Classic Movie Matinee

Mrs. Miniver

Friday, March 10 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

A portrait of how an upper-class British family living in the English countryside copes with trials and tribulations brought on during the first months of World War II.

Starring Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Teresa Wright, Richard Ney and May Whitty. Not rated.

Retro Video Gaming

Saturday March 11 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Play retro games like Donkey Kong, Tetris, Pac-Man, Missile Command, Galaga and many more. All ages welcome.

New! Silent Book Club

Saturday March 11 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Read the book of your choice in the quiet company of others.

Documentary Screening

Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed

Saturday, March 11 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Main Library, Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Screening of the Peabody Award-winning documentary takes an in-depth look at the 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek nomination for the highest office in the land. Registration required.

Business, Careers & Technology

Resume & Transferable Skills Workshop

Thursday, March 9 from 3 to 4 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

Create a resume that highlights your transferable skills and learn how to convert it to an ATS format to increase application visibility. Registration required.

Presented in partnership with Goodwill Careers.

TechXel Stamford Accelerator Series Venture Expert Talks

Advisory Boards & Governance

Thursday, March 9 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. via Zoom

Ed Cesare, Managing Director, Pleaid Capital Management

Cesare is a financial professional with close to 40 years of experience in capital markets. Registration required.

Coming Soon

An Afternoon of Jazz

Sunday, March 12 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

The sixth annual free concert celebrating the diversity and global appeal of jazz will feature performances by the Joe Corsello Trio, the Stamford High School Jazz Ensemble, and ZuZu Ramos and the OGs. All ages welcome. Registration suggested. .

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.

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]