Ferguson Library
🏢 The Ferguson Library · Stamford, Connecticut
Ferguson Library
Chartered in 1880 from a $10,000 bequest by probate judge John Day Ferguson, the Ferguson Library is Stamford's free public library and one of the largest in Connecticut. Its downtown DiMattia Building — open seven days a week — holds a CreateLab makerspace, museum-pass lending, and the Stamford History Center.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1 Public Library Plaza, Stamford, CT 06904
Phone: (203) 964-1000
Website: fergusonlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87H83F46+79 (Stamford, CT)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Ferguson Library
The Ferguson Library grew out of the will of John Day Ferguson, a Connecticut lawyer and probate judge who died in 1877 and left $10,000 to found a public library on the condition that Stamford's citizens raise a matching $25,000. That challenge was met, and the state legislature incorporated the institution in 1880, naming it in his honor. The library first operated from rented rooms on Atlantic Street — where early borrowers paid a $2 annual fee — before relocating in 1889 and then, in 1909, settling at its present site on Bedford and Broad streets in downtown Stamford. In 1911 it dropped its fees to become a free public library open to all. The main building is now the DiMattia Building, named for Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr., who directed the library from 1976 to 2014 and oversaw its growth; the building underwent a top-to-bottom renovation completed in 2010. Today the Ferguson serves Stamford from five locations — the downtown Main Library plus the Harry Bennett, Weed Memorial & Hollander, South End, and Waterside branches.
⭐ What makes this library special
- One of Connecticut's largest public libraries, chartered in 1880 from probate judge John Day Ferguson's $10,000 bequest matched by $25,000 in citizen gifts
- Downtown DiMattia Building (present site since 1909, renovated top-to-bottom in 2010), named for longtime director Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr. (1976–2014)
- CreateLab makerspace on the lower level with a LulzBot TAZ 6 3D printer, plus borrowable tools like a sewing machine and a ukulele for makers of all kinds
- Stamford History Center and genealogy collections documenting the city's past, with a companion digital archive
- Free and discounted museum, zoo, and attraction passes for cardholders, and a five-branch system reaching every corner of Stamford
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Ferguson cardholders reach Connecticut's shared digital collections free with a library card:
📚 Services
- Public computers with internet access, printing, scanning, and copying
- CreateLab makerspace (3D printing, sewing machine, ukulele, and creative tools)
- Notary public service at the Main Library, walk-in or by appointment (Mon–Fri, 11am–3pm)
- Passport and visa photo service at the Main Library
- Free and discounted museum, zoo, and attraction passes for cardholders
- Stamford History Center and genealogy research collections
- Small Business Center and job & career resources
- Tax assistance and digital navigation help
- Interlibrary loan and borrowIT CT — borrow from 190+ participating Connecticut public libraries with your card
- Meeting and study spaces across five branches
🎸 Programs
- Storytimes and early-literacy programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
- Summer reading programs for kids, teens, and adults
- Book clubs and author events for adults
- Teen programs and after-school activities
- CreateLab workshops and maker sessions
- Small-business and career workshops
- English-language and citizenship support programs
📍 Nearby Libraries in Fairfield County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Stamford · Browse all Connecticut libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Ferguson Library get its name and its start?
The library grew out of the will of John Day Ferguson, a Connecticut lawyer and probate judge who died in 1877. He left $10,000 to establish a public library in Stamford on the condition that local citizens raise a matching $25,000. When that goal was met, the state legislature incorporated the institution in 1880 and named it The Ferguson Library in his honor. It first charged borrowers a small annual fee and became a fully free public library in 1911.
What is the DiMattia Building, and when was it renovated?
The Main Library in downtown Stamford is the DiMattia Building, named for Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr., who served as the library's director from 1976 to 2014. The library has stood at its Bedford and Broad streets site since 1909, and the main building completed a top-to-bottom renovation in 2010. It is open seven days a week.
What can I do in the Ferguson Library's CreateLab?
The CreateLab is a makerspace on the lower level of the Main Library open to creators of all kinds — whether you work with electronics, yarn, fabric, video, code, or colored pencils. It offers a LulzBot TAZ 6 3D printer, and you can even borrow tools such as a sewing machine and a ukulele. It's a free space to design, build, and experiment with library staff support.
Does the Ferguson Library still offer passport services?
No. Because of federal regulations, passport acceptance can only be handled by designated government agencies and not by 501(c)(3) nonprofits like the Ferguson, so it no longer processes passport applications. The Main Library does still provide professional passport and visa photo services. Notary service is also available at the Main Library, walk-in or by appointment, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
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