Message from the CEO

Summer is a busy time for us, with people checking out books for vacation and beach reading. What’s hot this year?

Here are some of our top circulating books and movies.

The most popular items from the new Makerspace lending library are our telescope and sewing machine. Yes you can borrow a telescope! And much more.

For kids, the Dog Man and Diary for a Wimpy Kid series are flying off the shelves. Other great choices are the Stick Dog, Max and the Midknights and Jedi Academy series.

Morbius, starring Jared Leto, is the most popular movie. Teen and adult readers love Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline. Other popular titles include Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and Delia Owens’ bestseller, Where the Crawdads Sing.

As for me, I have been reading Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders Are Made by David Gergen as well as The 1619 Project. Need some ideas? Visit our Recommendations Page under Find Books & More for personalized suggestions.

Alice Knapp, CEO

Library Opens New Branch on Stamford's West Side

The Ferguson Library will open a new branch at the former Chester Addison Community Center on the city’s West Side on August 6 at 10 a.m. The new location, at 245 Selleck Street, is made possible through grant funding from the Stamford Police Activities League (PAL) and will initially focus on youth collections and programming.

The branch will have regular hours beginning in the fall. It is the library’s first new location in more than 20 years.

“We are thrilled to work with the Police Activities League to bring library service to Stamford’s West Side,” says Ferguson Library CEO Alice Knapp. “We look forward to a long and productive partnership that will make books and learning accessible wherever you live in our community.”

Harry Bennett Branch Construction

We’re working to improve service at the branch. Construction should be finished by the end of September.

Pictured: New lighting in the auditorium

Support for Sunday Hours

Many thanks to the Batkin family for supporting Sunday hours at the Main Library on August 21. Sundays are one of our busiest and most important days of the week. If you are interested in helping us provide Sunday service, please contact Linda Avellar 203 351-8208 or [email protected].

Changes on Ferguson Library Board of Trustees

The Ferguson Library Board of Trustees welcomes Lauren Meyer as a new trustee. She succeeds Robert Granata, whose term has expired. Ms. Meyer is Special Assistant and Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs for Mayor Caroline Simmons.

Board chair Stephanie O’Shea continues in her position for another year. Michael Hyman continues as vice-chair; Susana Vidan will serve as treasurer, replacing Sopong Kim, whose board term has expired. Ellen Bromley becomes secretary.

Past chair Anderson Livingston rejoins the board.

The South End Branch offers weekly tech help for seniors Tuesdays from 11 to 12:15. No appointment necessary.

First County Bank and Casale Foundation

Support the Library

First County Bank has provided a generous grant of $10,000 to support development of the Main Library’s new Collaboration Center, a state-of-the-art space that will serve artists, makers, founders and entrepreneurs of all ages by offering access to maker technology, such as fabrication tools, digital media and archival services.

A big thank you also to the Louis J. Casale Jr. Charitable Foundation for their $10,000 gift to support Youth Services. The Casale Foundation’s gifts over the last several years have enabled us to buy books and other materials for our youth collections.  

Digital Library: BiblioBoard

This self-publishing tool, now available to all Ferguson Library users, offers unlimited access to local books and stories from self-published authors, top indie e-books and more. Authors can also create professional-quality print-ready and e-book files using the Pressbooks Public module.

You’ll never experience a hold, checkout or lending limit on BiblioBoard, which is easy to use and requires no previous design or tech knowledge. Simply download the BiblioBoard Library app or visit fergusonlibrary.biblioboard.com. Need help? Ask a librarian or attend the BiblioBoard introductory workshop on August 27 at 2 p.m. in the Main Library Technology Center. 

Friends of the Ferguson Library

Registration is open for Friends’ Virtual Run/Walk 

The Friends of the Ferguson Library is excited to present Book It for the Ferguson Library, a virtual 5k fun run/walk fundraiser, happening in September. Registration is now open; follow the following three easy steps to support the library.

1. Go to events.elitefeats.com/22bookit and complete your registration. You can also include a donation.

2. Your bib will be mailed to you. Run or walk on your own and track your time from your iPhone, Android or free apps like Strava.

3. Take a picture and share on social media with these hashtags: #FergusonLibrary #BookItForFergusonLibrary

During the month of September show your running bib to receive 10% off your purchase at the Friends Book Shops.   

Book Shop News

The Book Shop is celebrating summer reading with beach reads and back-to-school selections. Be sure to stop by and see what’s new. We frequently have special sales. Thank you for being part of our community and supporting the library.

The Harry Bennett Shop is reopening soon!

Staff Recommends: Chew on This

The Complete Bookbook for Teen Chefs by America's Test Kitchen

Eitan Eats the World by Eitan Bernath

Simply Delicious Diabetes Cookbook: 160 + Nutritious Recipes for Foods You Love by Betty Crocker

Salad Freak: Recipes to Feed a Healthy Obsession by Jess Damuck

Ashia's Table: Family Recipes from India and Beyond by Ashia Ismail-Singer

Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico by Rick Martinez

The Art of Community

Our summer art exhibit, The Art of Community, continues through the end of September at the Main Library. Co-sponsored by the Stamford Art Association, in partnership with the Ferguson Library and Stamford Pride.