Educators

The Ferguson Library offers a wide range of information, materials, and services just for educators!

Teacher Cards

Ferguson Library Teacher Cards are issued on an annual basis to anyone who teaches in a K–12 school or licensed early childhood program. Teacher cards provide special privileges such as extended loan periods.

Stamford Public School Teachers Register for a Teacher Card here

Other institutions visit your closest branch with a proof of employment to get a library card.

Linked Libraries

Linked Libraries is a collaborative project between the Ferguson Library and the Stamford Public Schools to make the library’s resources available to students at their schools.

Linked Libraries allows students in all of Stamford’s Public Schools to reserve and check out library books online and have them delivered directly to their school. The goals of the program are to share the resources of the public library more widely with the schools, and to cultivate a lifelong love of reading for knowledge and pleasure in our students.

Teacher Units

To support your curriculum needs and to make the library’s materials easily available to you, librarians in Ferguson’s Youth Department will pull together a customized package of materials on a specific subject. Requests can be made in person at the Main Library or over the phone.

Learning Kits To Go

Learning Kits To Go bring together resources and materials on favorite topics in one handy packet. We have over 40 kits. Large kits include a selection of books, puppets, audio visual materials, supplemental activities and items for teacher support—all suitable for children in preschool through grade 3. Easy-to-carry Mini Kits contain a smaller assortment of items.

Visits to the Library on the Purple Bus

The Purple Bus is available to bring Stamford elementary school students to the Ferguson Library on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings during the school year. We offer a wide range of programs including tours, storytimes, booktalking, reference lessons, computer training and more. Arrangements can be made to accommodate middle and high school students upon request.

Bookmobile Stops

The bookmobile regularly visits early education centers throughout Stamford. See our Bookmobile Page for more information and current schedule.

Outreach Programs

The Ferguson’s librarians offer parent and teacher workshops on topics such as book selection, the importance of family reading, techniques for booktalking or storytelling, introductions to our online resources including the homework help site, Tutor.com.

Assignment Alert

The Ferguson Library is eager to make its resources accessible to teachers and their students. An “Assignment Alert” form can be submitted online. This advance notice allows the youth librarians to set aside relevant subject materials, giving students better access to public library resources.

Good Reads

The youth librarians at the Ferguson Library have put together recommended reading for all ages and interests. Access our genre lists, graded lists, book discussion questions and much more on our Kids Book Lists page. Ask us about borrowing multiple copies of discussable books for your book groups.

Online Resources

In addition to traditional materials, the library subscribes to a host of cutting edge electronic resources. Teachers can alert students to the availability of these resources to support student learning. To access these sites and links from home teachers and students need a Ferguson Library card.

Electronic Databases

Scholastic Go! logo

Scholastic GO! contains more than 115,000 articles covering every core-curriculum subject.

TumbleBook Library: e-books for kids

TumbleBooks are animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they’ll love. Access this service with your Ferguson Library card.

Tutor.com

Tutor.com has live access to tutors, tutorials, study guides and more

Internet Access in Youth Areas

There are dedicated computer terminals in the children’s area which provide filtered access to the Internet. These terminals are for the use of minors and may be used without formal parental permission. For more information, see the Library's Internet Use Policy.

Materials for Educators

Take the time to explore some of our resources: 

  • Books for professionals (including some curriculum materials) 
  • Special Needs Center – materials for parents and professionals 
  • Music CDs 
  • Audio books and Book/CD sets
  • World language collection 
  • DVDs 
  • Magazines for children, teens, parents and teachers 
  • And, of course, BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!

Need this information in print?

Download our Educator Services Brochure.

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