COMING SOON! A NOVEL AFFAIR IS APRIL 20
A Novel Affair
Our guests help us support the many programs and services that make the library the heart of the community, including storytimes, literacy and cultural programs, the Bookmobile and so much more!
We're delighted to honor Polly O'Brien Morrow and Pitney Bowes for their service to the library and the Stamford community.
PROGRAMS
Documentary Series:
The Black Church
Saturday, April 1 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m
South End Branch
Third installment of the documentary series The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song, hosted, produced and written by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. This four-part series traces the 400-year-old story of the Black church in America, down to its bedrock role as the site of African American survival and grace, organizing and resilience, and autonomy and freedom.
Saturday, April 8 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
South End Branch
Fourth and final installment of the series.
Co-sponsored by the Stamford NAACP and the Stamford MLK, Jr. Committee.
Women's Self-Defense Workshop
Saturday, April 1 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium
Club Kung Fu of Stamford will lead a female-focused self-defense workshop in the traditional Chinese martial art of Wing Tsun focusing on three phases: setting boundaries and assessing the threat; learning the best way to strike using palms, elbows and knees; and defending against chokes, grabs and mounts.
English Language Learners
Easy English for Beginners: Side by Side (Part 3)
Monday, April 3 and Thursday, April 6
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 yelena@fergusonlibrary.org .
Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch Book Discussion
Monday, April 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
A renovated, historic mansion on the west coast of Ireland is the setting for Binchey's compelling novel about an unlikely cast of characters who gather for a week's vacation there.
Tech Tips for Older Adults
Tuesday, April 4 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, April 4 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
Thursday, April 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch
Play mah-jongg with us. Beginners to advanced players welcome.
Death Cafe
Thursday, April 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom
A conversation intended to raise awareness of death with the goal of helping people make the most of their lives. led by Sahara Farrugio, a licensed funeral director specializing in advanced planning.
Note: Death Cafe is a discussion group, not a grief support or counseling session.
Make a Will
Thursday, April 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Second Floor Study Room
Create your will for free in as little as 15 minutes with Just In Case Estates, a Stamford-based online estate planning startup.No prior experience or preparation necessary. Must be a U.S. Citizen, 18 or older, and have an email address to participate. Registration required.
This program is presented in partnership with Just In Case Estates.
Classic Movie Matinee
Boomerang
Friday, April 7 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch
Look for street scenes filmed in Stamford in this true-life account of a vagrant on trial for the murder of a Bridgeport priest and the prosecutor who struggles to prove his innocence.
Starring Dana Andrews, Jane Wyatt and Lee J. Cobb.
Not rated.
Oscar Movie Festival
The Banshees of Inisherin
Friday, April 7 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Harry Bennett Branch
Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. Stars Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan with Oscar nominated performances.
Rated R.
Silent Book Club
Saturday, April 8 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Harry Bennett Branch
Join us for our very own chapter of the Silent Book Club (SBC), a community of readers with 300 chapters around the world who gather in person and online to read together in quiet camaraderie. Bring anything you want to read.
*This program has a waitlist
Make Your Own Journal
Saturday April 8 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Learn book-making basics to create a journal you can take home. Materials will be provided. Registration required.
BUSINESS, CAREERS & TECHNOLOGY
Basic Microsoft Powerpoint
Thursday April 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Third Floor Technology Center
Learn how to create and save presentations, design slide shows, and insert images and text. Must have a basic familiarity with Windows and be able to use a mouse and keyboard. No experience with MS PowerPoint necessary. Registration required.
Job Search on Indeed
Thursday, April 6 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Third Floor Technology Center
Learn how to apply for jobs, research prospective employers and format your resume for submission. Registration required.
COMING SOON
Be Part of the Tiny Art Show
Beginning April 17, artists in first grade through adult are invited to pick up a bag that contains everything needed to create two tiny 4x4 inch paintings. Bags will be available at every branch, while supplies last. Artwork is due April 29. Opening receptions will be celebrated Wednesdays, May 3 at the Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch and May 17 at Harry Bennett, both from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and May 10 at the Main Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
CrimeCONN Mystery Lovers' Conference
Saturday May 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium
Annual CrimeCONN Mystery Lovers' Conference. Presented by the Friends of the Ferguson Library and the Mystery Writers of America/NY chapter, this day-long conference will feature many authors and real-life crime fighters who will examine the future of this popular genre. Join us to investigate the shape of things to come!
CrimeCONN will be a hybrid event with in-person and Zoom ticket options available. Tickets purchased before April 6 are $40 per person. Tickets purchased after that date are $60 per person; $45 for MWA and Friends members, seniors and students. Livestream registration is $25 per person. Buy Tickets Here.
ONGOING AT THE LIBRARY
Art Exhibition: Celebrating Women in Life and Art
Main Library, DiMattia Building
Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium
This exhibition, launched during Women's History Month in March, features works by local and regional artists.
The exhibit will be on view through June 8.
Co-sponsored by the Stamford Art Association.
Artwork: Mother of Modern Dance by Gigi Barrett
Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics
Tuesdays through Fridays in April 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.
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 fskornia@fergusonlibrary.org 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 amarrocolla@fergusonlibrary.org.
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
PLEASE NOTE: All clients must wear face masks inside P2P buildings and P2P on Wheels.
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.
Curbside Pickup Available
Curbside Pickup is available for Ferguson Library cardholders.
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.)
