FEATURED PROGRAMS

A Conversation with Barbara Butcher, Former Chief of Staff of the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner
Tuesday, September 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Butcher will discuss her book What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator. The conversation will be moderated by Michelle Clark, Medicolegal Death Investigator for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Connecticut. Book sale and signing by Elm Street Books.

Registration required.
    
How Hip-Hop Shaped American Culture with Dr. Patrick Rivers
Thursday, September 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom

Join Patrick Rivers, an ethnomusicologist and associate professor of music at the University of New Haven, for a virtual conversation about the powerful impact hip-hop has had on American music, media and technology.

Registration required.

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS SERIES

The following programs are presented in partnership with the Network of the National Library of Medicine.
    
Happening Today!

Zumba Dance Party
Saturday, September 16 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Dance your way to fitness with instructor Pamela Arenas. No excuses!

Registration required.

Also on: Saturday, September 23 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Same location: Registration required.

Managing Back-to-School Stress
Monday, September 18 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. via Zoom

Social worker Tracey Masella will offer parents advice on how to help children manage stress and anxiety as they begin the new school year.

Registration required.

Community Mindfulness Project: Meditation
Tuesday, September 19 from 12 to 1 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

A brief discussion about meditation practice followed by a guided meditation with a chance to share and reflect. Please arrive five minutes early.

Lunchtime Yoga
Wednesday, September 20 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Yoga instructor Ngan Nguyen will lead a class in the Hatha style. Please bring a mat and water.

Registration required.

Access Mental Health Resources
Thursday, September 20 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Third Floor Technology Center

Learn how to find trustworthy mental health information and resources at the library.

Registration required.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Open Game Night
Monday, September 18 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Third Floor Technology Center

Play a game from the library's collection or bring your own. All ages.

PROGRAMS

Happening Today!

Old Folkies Acoustic Singalong
Saturday, September 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Weed Hollander & Memorial Branch

An afternoon of toe-tapping musical delights with Dr. Ev. And yes, she takes requests. Snacks will be served.

Knit & Needles Knitting Group
Monday, September 18 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Knit and crochet in the company of others. All levels welcome.

English Language Learners
Let's Talk: Conversation Groups

Conversation groups for English language learners. Registration not required. New students welcome.

Fall Sessions via Zoom
Tuesday, September 19

New students: from 12 to 12:30 p.m.
High beginner: from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Low intermediate: from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Advanced: from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, September 20

High intermediate: from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Beginner: from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Evening Sessions: In Person

Practice your communication skills in a group setting at the Main Library and Harry Bennett Branch.

Tuesday, September 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Lower Level Community Area

Harry Bennett Branch
Thursday, September 21 from 6 to 7:00 p.m.

Canasta Club
Wednesday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Come play this fun mix of bridge and rummy. All levels welcome.

Public Library Tour
Wednesday, September 20 from 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
First Floor Lobby

A library staff member-led tour of all the resources available to you.

Registration required.

Watch with Kanopy
Wednesday, September 20 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Learn how to use Kanopy, a free, on-demand streaming video platform for libraries that offers movies, TV shows and documentaries. Bring your smartphone or tablet and library card.

Ballroom Dance Workshop
Wednesday, September 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Second session in a four-part series with professional ballroom instructor Simone Assboeck who will teach the basics of the salsa and the hustle. Singles welcome; partners will be rotated. No prior dance experience required. Attendance required for four sessions.

Registration required.

Mah-Jongg Club
Thursday, September 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

Experienced players are invited to play the popular tile-based game of mah-jongg.

Beginners welcome the first week of the month.

New! Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Book Discussion
Thursday, September 21 from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

This new virtual book discussion series launches with a discussion of Leckie's 2013 novel featuring the story of Breq, the vengeance-seeking survivor of a starship destroyed by treachery. Join the discussion here.

Classic Movie Matinee
Friday, September 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch
The Outsiders

In a small Oklahoma town in 1964, the rivalry between teen gangs heats up when one gang member accidentally kills a member of the other. Francis Ford Coppola directs an all-star cast in the adaptation of S.E. Hinton's classic coming-of-age novel. Starring C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise and Rob Lowe. Rated PG.

Friday Flicks
Friday, September 22 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch
Friday Night Lights

Based on the true story of Odessa, Texas, a town that lives and dies by its high school football team, and how players, coaches and families cope with the pressures of winning at all costs. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Garrett Hedlund, Derek Luke and Jay Hernandez. Rated PG-13.

BUSINESS, CAREER & TECHNOLOGY

Tech Tips for Older Adults
Tuesday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
South End Branch

Free weekly tech help on smartphones, tablets, laptops and other devices with our experienced bilingual (English and Spanish) experts.

Make a Will for Free
Thursday, September 21 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Third Floor Technology Center

Create your own will in as little as 15 minutes. Must be a U.S. citizen, 18 or older, and have an email address.

Registration required.

Presented in partnership with Just in Case Estates.

TechXel Stamford Accelerator Series via Zoom
Thursday, September 21 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
Patents & Trademarks with Wesley W. Whitmyer, Jr.

Whitmyer is an attorney, inventor and founder of the Whitmyer IP Group. He has been a lead counsel in numerous patent and trademark litigation at the trial and appellate levels.

Register here.

Please register before 12 p.m. September 21. Zoom invitations will be sent by 1 p.m.

COMING SOON

Author Talk: Deborah DiSesa Hirsch
Wednesday, September 27 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch

The local author will discuss her book, Counterfeit Mother, which explores her difficult decision to use a donor to become a first-time mother in her forties. The author reflects on the emotional journey of acceptance that followed her son's birth.

Registration required.

A Conversation with Michael Harriot
Wednesday, September 27 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom

The award-winning journalist, author and cultural critic will discuss his latest book, Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America. Alvin Hall, financial educator, broadcaster and author of Driving the Green Book, will moderate this virtual conversation.

Registration required.
    
A Conversation with Kevin Powell
Thursday, September 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

American writer, activist, and television personality Kevin Powell will discuss his book The Kevin Powell Reader, an electric and deeply inspiring selection from Powell's life's work.

Makeda Mays Green, senior vice president of cultural and digital insights at Nickelodeon, will moderate the conversation.

Registration required.

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Memorial Lecture with The Honorable Richard A. Robinson, Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court
Saturday, September 30 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building

The library welcomes Chief Justice Robinson as distinguished guest speaker for this lecture honoring the late Dudley N. Williams, Jr., a community leader and former library board chair. Chief Justice Robinson will discuss implicit bias during his interactive lecture, Practicing the Pause. A question and answer session will follow. Teens and adults.

Registration required.

This event is presented in partnership with Stamford NAACP.

ONGOING AT THE LIBRARY

Community Diaper Drive
Main Library, DiMattia Building
First Floor Lobby

The library is one of three community drop-off spots for a community diaper drive presented by Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons in collaboration with the nonprofit Mothers for Others. Donate diapers during regular library hours through September 30. Diapers of all sizes are appreciated.

Diapers may also be donated at the Stamford Government Center and the Stamford Police Department.

Summer in the City Art Exhibit
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

The juried show, curated by the Stamford Art Association, features works by local and regional artists. On view through September 21.

Pictured: Scene from the Met Steps by Susan Hirsch
    
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 an 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 at the Library

Notary services are available on a walk-in basis at the Main Library Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays by appointment only. The notary desk at the Main Library is located in the lower level.

Notary services are available at the Harry Bennett and Weed Memorial & Hollander branches by appointment only. Call 203 351-8290.

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.

IN THE COMMUNITY

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]

Library Hours

Main Library, DiMattia Building
96 Broad Street, Stamford

Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch
115 Vine Road, Stamford

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South End Branch
34 Woodland Avenue, Stamford

Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 am. to 2 p.m.

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch
1143 Hope Street, Stamford
    
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday 12 to 7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.