Ferguson Library News - November 2023

Message from the CEO

Our Youth Services team offers a variety of programs and services to help students go from learning to read to reading to learn. Most are familiar with our summer reading program, which is designed to help avoid the “summer slide.” But not as many know about the work we do with Stamford Public Schools during the school year. For example, the Friends Book Shop offers teachers five free books each month for their classroom libraries. We also provide teacher cards with extended loans and can help teachers find materials for a subject unit.

Parents with elementary school students may know about our Purple Bus program that brings students to the DiMattia Building for an introduction to the library. And through our Linked Libraries service students can place a hold on a book and we will deliver it right to their school. Knowing that a home library is important, we offer book giveaways during the year in partnership with the Stamford Public Education Foundation. The Ferguson Library is here to support Stamford’s youth.
--
Alice Knapp, CEO

Friends Pub Crawl:
November 15

Join us Wednesday, November 15 at 6 p.m. for the Friends Literary Pub Crawl. It’s a fun evening of food, conversation and literary-themed entertainment at downtown restaurants. We’re delighted to partner once again with Bar Rosso, Hudson Social, Towne Parlor and ZAZA Italian Gastrobar. We’ll break into groups, head out to our assigned restaurants, and return to the library for coffee, dessert and more entertainment. Tickets are $40; $30 for Friends members. Register here. If you want to be grouped with someone or need a special accommodation, please contact us at pubcrawl@fergusonlibrary.org.

Holiday Hours

All library locations will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, and will remain closed November 23 for Thanksgiving. We will return to our regular schedule the rest of the holiday weekend. Have a very happy holiday.

Howard Kaplan Memorial Lecture on Law and Society: Affordable Housing: What's Law Got to Do With It?

Richard Freedman, President of Garden Homes Management, and Anika Singh Lemar, Clinical Professor of Law at Yale Law School, will debate affordable housing and whether current statutes and litigation are the best way to meet the housing crisis confronting Stamford and neighboring communities at the annual Howard Kaplan Memorial Lecture on Law and Society Tuesday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library. Register here.

This lecture is supported by the Stamford law firm Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin and Kuriansky and the family of the late Howard Kaplan.

Harry Bennett Branch

Spotlights Local Authors  

We’re delighted to welcome a number of local authors to the Harry Bennett Branch this month. On November 1 at 6 p.m. Anthony R. Whitworth will speak about his nonfiction book, The Saltwater Highway, One Man’s Journey Through the International Dry Bulk Maritime Market. On November 7, also at 6 p.m., Elise Hart Kipness will discuss her debut novel, Lights Out, a thriller that follows a sports reporter’s journey off the court into a world of murder and deception. The conversation will be moderated by bestselling author Wendy Walker. And on November 29 at 6:30 p.m., we’ll have a lively panel discussion on books that are ‘ripped from the headlines’ with authors T.M. Dunn, Wendy Whitman and Deborah Levison. You can register for any of these events here.

Get Tech Help     

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 you access government services, set up online banking, make an online healthcare appointment, or figure out how to see pictures on your phone. The service is free. You can make an appointment through the Digital Navigators page on our website or by calling 203 351-8221.
       
Support Your Library: Your Year-End Gift Makes a Difference

Please remember the Ferguson Library in your year-end giving. Your donation of any amount to the Ferguson Library Foundation (the fundraising arm of the library) helps keep books and all the things you love at the library free and available to everyone in the community. Donate securely here or pick up a donation envelope at any library location. Thank you for investing in your public library.

Digital Library: Learning Express Workforce Solutions

Filled with vocational guidance tools, tips for resume writing, and the best interviewing techniques to achieve career success, this large collection of test prep guides covers real estate, law enforcement, nursing, teaching, post office, military, commercial driver’s license (CDL), social worker, plumbing and other professional categories. Visit the High School Equivalency Center section for help on studying for your GED. To learn more and register, visit the library’s A-Z Resources page.

Friends of the Ferguson Library

Please consider becoming a member of the Friends. The Friends of the Ferguson Library advocates for the library in the community and provides funding for many library programs, including summer reading, author events and children’s storytimes. It’s a great way to support the library and get involved in your community. Visit here for more information.

Book Shop

Shop small and local this holiday season. The Friends Book Shop, with locations at the Main Library and Harry Bennett Branch, is Stamford’s only independent bookstore. All books are donated by the community and proceeds benefit the library.

Staff Recommends: Thrillers and Chillers

Traitors Gate by Jeffrey Archer

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

The Secret Hours by Mick Herron

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon

The Golden Gate by Amy Chua

Library Hours
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Main Library
96 Broad Street
Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
    
Harry Bennett Branch
115 Vine Road
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday  
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch
1143 Hope Street
Monday, Wednesday & Thurs, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    
South End Branch
34 Woodland Avenue
Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.