Interveiw with Alice Knapp President of the Ferguson Library

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Alice Knapp, President of the Ferguson Library


I talked with Alice Knapp, current President of the Ferguson Library in Stamford, about the challenges Libraries face in the era of the internet, eBooks and social media.
Ms. Knapp has instituted many exciting new programs and events at the Ferguson
that meet the needs of the community and make the library a place of enjoyment
and opportunity for everyone from the young children to the older citizens.
The Ferguson in Stamford has a long history

HISTORY OF THE FERGUSON LIBRARY.

The Ferguson Library is named after Hon. John Day Ferguson, who was at one time Probate Judge and for many years the leading member of the Board of School Visitors. Mr. Ferguson was widely known and highly honored for his devotion to education and at his death (December 9, 1877) he left by will the sum of $10,000 to found a Public Library. The gift was conditioned on the raising of $25,000 more, and this was promptly contributed by the subscriptions of many citizens. The act incorporating the Library was approved March 12, 1880, and the trustees named in this act immediately organized. The Library was opened to the public in November, 1881, in temporary quarters, which were used until the summer of 1889, when the property now occupied was purchased and fitted for more permanent use. The present building, however, is neither large enough for much growth nor suitable in style or accommodations, and the trustees look forward to the erection of a new building when funds shall be provided. Several gifts have been made to the Library since its foundation, notably the bequest of Mrs. C. E. Richardson, who, at her death in 1884, left to the Library real estate valued at $22,000. The last annual report of the treasurer (1892) estimated the entire property of the institution at $82,746. Of this sum $24,000 is invested in the land and building occupied by the Library, and about $11,000 in books, etc.






Old Ferguson Library

 

 

Hon. John Day Ferguson Founder

 Early Bookmobile from the Ferguson Library

Sketch of the Reference Room by Aritist  Whitman Bailey 1932








Bookmobile

Ernest DiMattia former President







The Ferguson Library, downtown Branch today now named
as the Di Mattia Building

Children's Section

Resources  of Technology

Since the 1970s Connecticut has provided open access of all of

it's libraries to Connecticut residents. This policy

has provided a rich resource for all towns and the state

citizenry.  To insure the continuance of this policy you can write

to your State Senators of the importance of this wide library

access.