Happening Today!

All About Audiobooks with Peter Lerman

Saturday, October 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Lower Level Makerspace

Learn how audiobooks are made and sold, who listens to them and why from Peter Lerman, a professional audiobook narrator and producer.

Registration Required.

Note: This Program is Full

Historic Walking Tour of Springdale

Sunday, October 23 from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch

Join preservation planner and architectural historian Wes Haynes for a one-hour tour of historic Springdale buildings that offer insight into the neighborhood's evolution from industrial village and streetcar suburb into a bedroom community. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Registration required.

African & African American Authors Book Discussion

Monday October 24 from 7 to 9 p.m.

South End Branch

(Hybrid event also available via Zoom)

A discussion of The Son of Mr. Suleman by Eric Jerome Hickey.

Tech Tips for Older Adults

Tuesday, October 25 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.

Let's Talk: Conversation Groups via Zoom

Tuesday, October 25

New students welcome for English-language conversation groups.

New Students: Noon

Basic: 12:30 p.m.

Low Intermediate: 2:30 p.m.

Advanced: 5: 30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 26

High Intermediate: 10 a.m.

Beginner: 3 p.m.

Easy English for Beginners: Side by Side (Part 2)

Monday, October 24 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Thursday, October 27 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

Learn language and life skills through reading, speaking and writing during this six-week interactive English course based on the Easy English TV program by Steven Molinsky and Bill Bliss. Registration Required.

Community Mindfulness Project Meditation

Tuesday, October 25 at Noon

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.

Conservations About Art: From Monet to Pollock

Wednesday October 26 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

A discussion about masterpieces that changed art history led by Helane E. March Rheingold, a docent at the Neuberger Museum of Art.

Registration Required.

Mah-Jongg Club

Wednesday, October 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch

Our Mah-Jongg Club is open to beginners, intermediate and experienced players.

Come play this game of strategy with us.

Ukraine Stories of Strength and Hope

Wednesday, October 26 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Vincent Lyn, an actor, martial arts master and founder of the NGO We Can Save Children, offers a firsthand account of life in Ukraine since the Russian invasion.

Registration Required.

Google Sheets for Excel Users

Thursday, October 27 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Google Sheets is the free cloud-based alternative to Microsoft Excel. Learn about the various differences and similarities between the two applications. This class is intended for users familiar with Excel.

Registration Required.

Death Cafe Stamford

Thursday, October 27 from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom

A discussion about increasing the awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives. With Sarah Farrugio, a licensed funeral director specializing in advanced planning. Death Cafe is not grief support or counseling.

New! Romance Book Discussion

Thursday, October 27 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Third Floor Technology Center

The first meeting of this new series will include a discussion of Evelyn Lozado's The Wrong Mr. Darcy, a modern basketball-themed twist on Pride and Prejudice.

Registration Required.

Stamford Science Cafe

Thursday, October 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Lower Level Teen Area

In our inaugural Science Cafe event, Biology professor Jason Munshi-South will explore the lives and habitats of animals that share Stamford with us and discuss the inevitable challenges of coexistence.

Presented in collaboration with Pollinator Pathway Stamford.

Lawyers in Libraries

Thursday, October 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Second Floor Study Room

Discuss your case with a volunteer attorney. To book a required 20-minute appointment call 203 351-8221.

Supported by the Connecticut Bar Association.

Family Halloween Celebration

Saturday, October 29 from noon to 1 p.m.

South End Branch

Wear a costume for this DIY adventure where you can decorate your own balloon pumpkin head, trick-or-treat bag and show off your outfit during a costume parade. Prizes for the best dressed. All ages welcome

Haunted Libraries Near Us

Saturday, October 29 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Join us for a Halloween-inspired event as the Eastern Connecticut Paranormal Society Presents its findings of a rigorous investigation of libraries in Connecticut and Westchester County, N.Y.

Registration Required.

TechXel Stamford Accelerator Series Venture Expert Talks

Thursday, October 27 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. via Zoom

Cybersecurity with Sergio Pedro

Sergio (Serge) is a 25-year veteran cyber security professional who has direct experience with building and maintaining global organizations dedicated to mitigating corporate information risk for small and large business in a wide range of industries. 

Registration Required

Howard Kaplan Memorial Lecture on Law & Society Presents:  Litigation as a Tool for Change: The Sandy Hook Cases Against Remington and Alex Jones with Attorney Josh Koskoff  Wednesday, November 2 at 6:30 p.m. Main Library, DiMattia Building Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium Koskoff, a partner in the firm Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, recently achieved two historic victories on behalf of families of victims of the Sandy Hook School shooting. In February, he won a groundbreaking $73 million settlement for nine families against Remington, the manufacturer of the AR-15 assault rifle used in the shooting. Earlier this month, with partners Chris Mattei and Alinor Sterling, Koskoff obtained a historic verdict on behalf of 14 family members and a first responder against conspiracy profiteer Alex Jones for peddling and profiting from false claims that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax. The verdict of $965 million is believed to be the largest defamation verdict in American history. This lecture is supported by the Stamford law firm Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky and the family of the late Howard Kaplan Registration required. Friends of the Ferguson Library Author Series: An Evening with Fiona Davis Thursday, November 10 at 6 p.m. Main Library, DiMattia Building Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium Join the Friends of the Ferguson Library for an evening with New York Times bestselling historical fiction author Fiona Davis. The author's popular novels are well-known for exploring the storied histories of iconic New York City landmarks. Davis will be discussing her most recent novel, The Magnolia Palace, set in The Frick, the mansion of the late industrialist Henry Clay Frick. The presentation will be followed with a book signing hosted by Elm Street Books. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for Friends members.

Friends of the Ferguson Library Author Series: Royal Biographer Andrew Morton, Author of The Queen

Tuesday, November 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

Wear your best royal attire to meet biographer Andrew Morton, who will discuss his latest book, The Queen, which takes an in-depth look at Britain’s longest reigning monarch and explores the influence the late Queen Elizabeth II had on Britain and the rest of the world. This presentation will be moderated by special guest royal expert and moderator Victoria Arbiter.

A book signing hosted by Elm Street books will follow.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration required

Art at the Ferguson

Celebrating New Art: Work Created Since 202

Main Library, DiMattia Building

Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium

The juried show, curated by the Stamford Art Association, features work by local and regional artists. The exhibit will be on view through January 19, 2023.

Pictured: See Through by Cecile Roberfroid.

Volunteers Wanted to Help English Language Learners

The Ferguson Library is looking for enthusiastic, sensitive volunteers interested in helping English language learners develop their speaking skills in our weekly, virtual classes.

We are looking for volunteers with the following qualities and availability:

*At least 18 years old.

*Tact, sensitivity and respect for people of diverse cultural backgrounds.

*Weekly availability for several consecutive months (or the equivalent of a college semester).

No prior teaching experience required.

Interested? Contact Yelena Klompus, ELL, Citizenship & Cultural Programs Manager at [email protected] or call her at 203 351-8228 to set up a an interview.

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].

2022 Reading Challenge

Sign up for our 2022 Reading Challenge.

This challenge is for both fast and slow readers. Whether you read a book a week or one every month—e-books and audiobooks count—there will be a prize drawing for those who finish reading 12 books from the list and another drawing for those who finish 52 books. The challenge ends December 2022.

Digital Navigators  

Need help accessing health or banking information online? Want to get up to speed on Google tools or help your children succeed in school? 

Our Digital Navigators can help you with all this and more, and even set you up with a digital device if you need one. Don’t be left behind in a digital world.

Appointments are required, and are available in English, Spanish, Arabic and Haitian-Creole. Call 203 351-8251 to book a time at the Main Library or the South End Branch.

This project is made possible with an IMLS grant awarded through the CT State Library

Annual Friends Book Bag Sale

Friday, November 4 from 10 to 4 p.m.

Saturday November 5 from 10 to 3 p.m.

Harry Bennett Branch

Buy a big yellow bag for $10 and fill it with your choice of books, CDs and DVDs to benefit the library. This year's annual book sale will include adult and children's books, fiction and non-fiction and more. Proceeds benefit the library's programs and services.