Family Programs

Happening Today!

Mayor's Literacy Initiative Kickoff Event

Saturday, September 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

South End Branch

Families are invited to join Mayor Caroline Simmons for a morning full of stories, games, arts and crafts. The Mayor’s Literacy Initiative is intended to promote literacy and provide resources for parents to encourage their children to read. All ages.

Open Game Night

Monday, October 2 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 game to play with others. All ages.

Family Storytime

Wednesday, October 3 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

A participatory storytime featuring songs, fingerplays, story and movement activities. Ages 18 months to 5 years with an accompanying caregiver. Registration required.

Baby & Toddler Playgroup

Thursday, October 5 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Kids play while parents and caregivers meet and chat. Fun will include play time, a snack, a take-home craft and one-on-one support from a family and community engagement specialist from Sparkler, the child development app. Ages 5 and younger. Expectant parents are welcome. Please inform us of any allergies. Registration required.

National Hispanic Heritage Month Programs

Zully Ramos and The OGs

Sunday, October 1 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Enjoy the music of this tri-state area band, which will perform a set featuring Latin jazz classics, pop and rock hits to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Registration appreciated.

Presented in partnership with the Mayor's Multicultural Council.

Latino Arts & Crafts

Friday, October 6 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by creating your own masterpiece in the styles of Latino folk art like woven Ojos de Dios (God's eyes), Taino rock carving and traditional Mexican Amate painting. Build your own Hispanic American history book using stickers that depict dozens of inspirational pioneers in government, science and technology, business, the arts and more. Ages 5 and older. Registration required

Marinera Dance by Taller Portal Norteño

Saturday, October 7 from 3 to 4 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Dancers from the Taller Portal Norteño Academy will perform the Peruvian marinera, a partner dance that reenacts courtship through stylized movement and colorful costumes. All ages. Registration appreciated.

Presented in partnership with the Mayor's Multicultural Council.

Kids' Programs

Bennett Babies

Tuesday, October 3 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Songs, rhymes, stories and more for babies up to 18 months with an accompanying caregiver. Siblings welcome. Registration required.

Preschool Movie Matinee

Tuesday, October 3 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Enjoy picture book videos of beloved children's classics. Ages 18 months to five years.

Spanish Story & Activity

(Cuentos y Actividades)

Thursday, October 5 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

South End Branch

A Spanish-language experience featuring stories, music, movement and fun. Ages 1 to 4 with accompanying caregiver.

Babytime

Friday, October 6 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Songs, rhymes, stories and more for babies up to 18 months old with an accompanying caregiver. Siblings welcome. Registration required.

Cuentos y Cantos Bilingual Storytime

Friday, October 6 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Interactive readings, songs and activities in English and Spanish. Ages 2 to 5 with an accompanying caregiver. Registration required.

Teen Programs

Happening Today!

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

Chief Justice Robinson will discuss implicit bias in an interactive lecture, Practicing the Pause. This event honors the late Dudley N. Williams, Jr., a community leader and former library board chair. A question and answer session will follow. Teens and adults. Registration required.

Presented in partnership with Stamford NAACP.

Resume Workshop

Thursday, October 5 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams Jr. Auditorium

Learn how to build a resume that highlights your skills and experiences and convert it into ATS format to increase application visibility to potential employers. Registration required.

Presented in partnership with Goodwill Careers.

Friday Film Fest

Friday, October 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Beetlejuice

A ghost couple befriends their new tenant's daughter but must call on a devilish spirit for help when her parents start to ruin the place. Starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O’Hara. 1988. Rated PG.

Coming Up

An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe

Friday, October 13 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Historic re-enactor Campbell Harmon brings the master of the macabre, Edgar Allen Poe, back to life for a special evening of mystery and horror. Hear tales about the author's life, legacy and death as well as his poetry and writings. Teens and adults. Registration required.

In The Community

StoryWalk®

Mill River Park

1010 Washington Boulevard

The library's new Storywalk® features Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. This sweet story about overcoming your fears features a boy who is almost ready to take a leap off a diving board with encouragement from his patient father. Walk the park and read the story through October.

Ongoing At The Library

Earn Volunteer Hours by Reviewing Books

The Ferguson Library offers volunteer hours to teens in grades 6 to 12 to write book reviews. Reviews will be featured on the library's Youth Instagram page and displayed with reviewed books at the library.

Teens may submit up to two book reviews per week. For each review approved by a librarian, teens will receive one hour of volunteer credit.

Reviews may be edited for clarity and will list the reviewer's first name, last name initial, and grade, unless the reviewer specifies anonymity. Questions? Call 203-351-8242.

Library Resources

Youth Services Page

Check out our Youth Services Page with information for kids, teens, parents and educators. You'll find information about our digital books, movies and music, Linked Libraries, digital resources and more.