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Assignment
Alert
 The Ferguson
Library is eager to make its resources accessible to teachers and their
students. In order to facilitate this process, we make available an
"Assignment Alert" form, which can be submitted online. This advance notice allows the children's librarians to set
aside materials, enabling all of your students equal access to public library
resources. Assignment Alert forms are distributed to the schools in the Fall or
you can access the online form below.
Assignment
Alert Form Check out our
Tips
for Teachers to make the most out of your collaboration with The
Ferguson Library.
Book Lists
 The Children's
Librarians at the Ferguson Library have put together some recommended reading
for all ages and interests. Take a look at our genre lists, graded lists and
even reading suggestions for those Harry Potter fans.
Book
Lists
Learning
Kits To Go
 What
are Learning Kits To Go?
A collection of resources and materials on your favorite topics all in one
handy kit. Each kit is different and includes a selection of: books, puppets,
audio or videotapes, exploration materials, supplemental activities, and
teacher support materials. Materials in each kit are suitable for a range of
age levels from preschool through second grade.
Who Can Check
Out a Kit?
Early Childhood Educators
Teachers
Parents
Home
School Families
Anyone
needing materials to educate and entertain young children
How Do I Check
Out a Kit?
All kits are available for loan from the Main Library
Kits are loaned for three weeks, with one renewal if another person is not
waiting for the kit.
Kits may be reserved online or in person
Patrons will be asked to review contents of the kit and sign for the kit.
This is a free service, but patrons will be charged for missing or damaged
items.
Overdue fines are $1.00 per kit, per day.
Patrons are limited to one kit at a time.
Topics (click on a topic to see
the contents of the kit):
*These kits contain
at least 1 multi-sensory item suitable for use by children with special needs.
Mini Kits To Go
Our Mini Learning Kits are now available in a number of topics in easy-to-carry
bags. Topics Include:
Life
Skills Kits
These kits have been funded through an LSTA grant and
contain materials suitable for use by children with special needs.
Topics:
Dressing & Grooming
Social Skills / Friendship
Transition
Outreach
Programs
If you are unable
to visit the library, a professional staff member from Ferguson's Children's
Department can visit your school for a half-hour program of stories using
puppets, flannelboards, and more. Ferguson's
librarians can also provide parent and teacher workshops on topics such
as choosing excellent picture books, the importance of family reading, and
techniques for reading aloud. For more
information, or to book any of these special services, call the Ferguson's
Children's Department at the Main Library at 351-8242.
Teacher
Cards
How to Get a Teacher Card:
Ferguson Library Teacher cards are issued on an annual basis to Stamford
teachers, Stamford residents who teach elsewhere and home-schoolers up through
grade 12. Teacher cards are issued at the Main Library and the Harry Bennett
Branch, but materials may only be checked out on a teacher card at the Main
Library.
Individuals who want to have a teacher card must submit proof each year that
they teach in Stamford or are a Stamford resident employed outside the city by
a school. Acceptable forms of proof include a school roster, pay stub or any
official school identification.
Upon showing acceptable identification at the registration desk, the teacher
will be given a teacher card application. Special Features
of the Teacher Card:
The teacher card allows you to keep materials you check out for school use
separate from those you check out for personal use.
Your teacher card allows you to borrow a rich and diverse selection of
materials:
Books
Talking books and book and tape kits
Music cassettes and CD's
Magazines for children, teens, parents and teachers
Videos and DVD's
CD-ROM's
You may borrow most materials (including all books, CD's and cassettes) for up
to six weeks. These materials can also be renewed for an additional three weeks
provided there are no holds. Magazines may be taken out for one week; and four
titles of media (including videos and DVD's) may be taken out for one week.
(New adult books are not eligible).
Rules and Regulations:
Teachers may check out materials on a teacher cared at the Main Library only,
but materials may be returned to any Ferguson Library location.
We reserve the right to limit the total number of books that may be borrowed,
and the number of books borrowed on a specific topic.
Cards are issued to individual teachers only, not to the school. Although no
overdue fines will be charged, each teacher is financially responsible for
unreturned and damaged materials.
Be sure to ask about our Learning Kits, Teacher Units and other services for
educators. Contact the Youth Department for more information at 351-8242.
Teacher
Units
To support your
curriculum needs and to make the library's materials more readily available to
you, librarians in Ferguson's Children's Department will pull together a
customized package of materials on a specific subject for you. To meet your
curricular deadlines, please request this service at least two days before you
need the material. Requests can be made in person at the Main Library, or over
the phone.
Visit
the Ferguson Library on the Purple Bus
The purple bus
is available to bring Stamford Public School classes to the library on
the following days only:
Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday mornings
First Visit: 9:15 a.m.
Second Visit: 10:15 a.m.
(Arrangements
can be made to accommodate middle and high school students upon request)
Each
school must designate a contact person (ideally your school's media
specialist). Scheduling of the bus must be done through this contact person,
not with individual teachers.
Preference will be given to schools that can book 2 classes of the same grade
level back to back.
Preference will be given to schools that can book a full week of visits at one
time (6 classes).
In
order to maximize the time we have the bus, class visits are scheduled for 45
minutes to 1 hour (but can be less if the teacher requests it).
If you
need to cancel or change your scheduled visit date or time please notify us at
least one week prior to the visit.
A
purple bus visit is a perfect opportunity for the students to obtain library
cards. If a teacher wishes to get library cards for his/her students, completed
library card forms must be sent to the Youth Department, to the attention of
Rebecca Stine, or the teacher may bring the completed applications on the day
of the visit. Library cards will be mailed to the students' homes.
The bus
does not operate on school holidays or snow days. When possible, we will try to
reschedule canceled visits due to snow days.
If you
have any questions, or wish to schedule the bus for your school, please contact
Rebecca Stine at 351-8246. Fax: 359-6750.
What
to Expect on Your Purple Bus Visit to the Library
The Youth
Librarians at the Ferguson Library are prepared to offer a range of programs
during your purple bus visit. Typically, there is time for two of these
activities listed below per visit. Take a look at these age-appropriate
selections, or let us know if you have a specific request.
What is the
Library All About?
Basic Tour and Introduction to the Library
Answers basic questions about what you'll find at the Ferguson Library, such as
how do I get a library card; what can I do with my library card; and how do I
find my favorite books or books that I need for assignments (Kindergarten and
up) *
Storytime
Fun
Storytelling/Reading Aloud
A rousing session of storytelling, reading aloud, flannel board stories and
more...
(Grades K - 2)
Book
Talking
Dramatic Teasers to Great Books
Are your students looking for a great book to read but don't know where to
start? We'll book talk some of our favorite stories - they're sure to find some
favorites of their own.
(Grades 3 and up)
Reference
Lessons
We will take your students through the research process by teaching them how to
find the books and computer resources they need. We always appreciate knowing
in advance what your students are studying. Let us know what your topic is and
we'll focus the lesson around it. (Grades 3 and up)
Using the
Electronic Databases
We will demonstrate our wide selection of online databases and then give your
students a chance to try them out on their own.
(Grades 3 and up)
Guide to
the Internet
Using the library's own web resources as well as popular search engines, we'll
help your students become web-wise as they find and evaluate the information
they need. (Grades 3 and up)
How Do I
Find a Book?
Using the Electronic Card Catalog
A basic introduction covering title, author and subject searches in the
library's catalog. (Grades 3 and up)
Check it
Out
Book Selection and Check Out
We'll help your students find the books they want so that they can check them
out with their library card and take them home. All students must have their
own library cards. This program will take at least 25 minutes and may limit
time allotted for the above activities. (Kindergarten and up)
* Suggested
age ranges |
