Message from the CEO

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month. We mark the beginning of each school year with an effort to ensure every child has their own library card. Since the Ferguson Library works very closely with the Stamford Public Schools, we have made it even easier for students to get books. Students can use their student ID number as a virtual library card to access all our online resources, including a great selection of e-books. They also can place a hold on a physical book and we will deliver it to their schools. For more information on this service, check out our blog entry on Linked Libraries.

Alice Knapp, CEO

Holiday Hours

All library facilities will be closed Sunday, September 4 and Monday, September 5 for the Labor Day holiday.

Pub Crawl Returns Oct 12

Back by popular demand! The Friends of the Ferguson Library's annual Pub Crawl returns to downtown Stamford on Wednesday, October 12. Join us for an evening of fun, food and entertainment to benefit the library. Tickets are $40; $30 for Friends members.

Register.

Leading Expert on Racism to Visit the Library

Join us for a discussion on October 3 at 6 p.m. with Robert Livingston, a Harvard social psychologist and leading expert on the science underlying bias and racism in organizations. Dr. Livingston will discuss his book, The Conversation: How Seeking Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations.

The program is co-sponsored by the City of Stamford, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, the Mayor's Multicultural Council, 100 Black Men, Stamford Community, Stamford Cradle to Career, Stamford Public Education Foundation, and Stamford Stands Against Racism.

Register

New West Side Branch To Open Next Month

Our new West Side Branch at the Chester Addison Community Center will open October 1. The community center is operated by the Stamford Police Activities League, which will offer sports and other activities for kids. The library branch will focus on youth collections and will initially be open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. It is the library’s first new branch in 20 years.

Seeking TEDx Speakers

TEDx returns to the Ferguson Library February 25, 2023. We are accepting applications for speakers on the theme of Renewal. Apply here. The deadline is October 15. Talks from previous TEDxFergusonLibrary events can be viewed on our You Tube channel.

Ferguson Welcomes New Staff

Beth Fitzpatrick, the library's new Communication & Marketing Coordinator, is an award-winning former journalist who comes to the Ferguson Library most recently from The Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport.

Samantha Delgado has joined the library as a Youth Services librarian. She previously worked as a Reference/Youth Services library assistant at the Bridgeport Library and New Haven Free Public Library.

Annual Book Giveaway

Kick off the new school year with new books! Beginning September 6, children and teens can stop by the Main Library and any of our branches and receive two free books to expand their home library.

We're Hiring!

Spend your day at the library! We have a number of open positions for candidates who are committed to excellent customer service and want to make a difference in our community. We invite you to consider us as a place to begin or grow your career. Visit the employment page on our website to learn more.

Digital Library

Driver's Education Practice Test Collections

Looking to get a learner's permit or driver's license? This resource will help you ace the Connecticut DMV exams by offering all the materials you'll need, including the official Connecticut driver's manual and a series of step-by-step DMV practice tests that will help you pass like a pro. To get started, grab your library card and visit our databases page at Research & Learn/A to Z Resources. Once in, enter your card number and start studying. You'll be on the road in no time.

Friends of the Ferguson

Join the Friends’ Virtual Run/Walk 

Get moving for the Friends! Book It for the Ferguson Library, a virtual 5k fun run/walk fundraiser, is happening this month. Register at events.elitefeats.com/22bookit. 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. You can also include a donation.

Show your running bib to receive 10% off your purchase at the Friends Book Shop all month.   

Book Shop News

The Harry Bennett Shop has reopened after a construction hiatus. We hope to see you there! Please bring donations to the Main Library, only.

The Book Shop will be participating in Arts & Crafts on Bedford Saturday, September 10 with big, beautiful art and photography books, puzzles and children's books. Stop by and check out our offerings.

Staff Recommends:

Get Ready for School

Forever Free: A True Story of Hope in the Fight for Child Literacy by Tracy Swinton Bailey

Bound-for-College Guidebook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding and Applying to Colleges by Frank Burnett

The Child is the Teacher: A Life of Maria by Cristina DeStefano

Learning in Public: Lessons for a Racially Divided America from My Daughter's School by Victoria E. Waller

Yes! Your Child Can: Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences by Victoria E. Waller

Teaching Your Child to Read: A Parent's Guide to Encouraging a Love of Reading by Jessica Wang

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.

Above: The World Around Me by Rujuta Paradkar