Summer Reading Goes Global at the Ferguson Library

The Ferguson Library knows how to keep students engaged in reading throughout the dog days of summer.

When school ends for the summer, the library has a book club for children and teens every year. This year, the recommended books, endorsed by both the library and the Stamford Board of Education, have taken a global theme to encourage students to learn about different world cultures.

“We’re encouraging reading from all sorts of different cultures,” said Steve Zampino, librarian for teens and youth services at the Ferguson Library’s main branch. “We’re hoping they go beyond their immediate lives and explore different genres.”

“One World, Many Stories,” is the theme for the children’s book club, and similarly, “Think Globally, Read Locally,” is targeted toward the teens. Students can sign up at any point online during the summer to join.

Past summer themes have included “Making Waves at the Library,” where students were encouraged to read books with wave references, including anything from the beach sound.

“Power Up at the Library” was a topic during one summer that encouraged students to increase their brainpower, read about science, and use electronic resources.

The program continues to be robust each year with more than 3,000 students citywide joining the book club, including over 600 teenagers.

Over 100 teens volunteer at the library to help run the summer programs and work with the younger children. 

"Student volunteers are key. We couldn’t run the programs as thoroughly and nicely as we do without their help," Zampino said. 

Children earn prizes and teens get raffle tickets with the more books they read throughout the summer.

If the students exceed their reading target, which is 10 books for children and six for teens, they get to take a free book home from the library.

The culmination event comes at the end of summer when both children and teens get a celebration for their reading efforts. 

“Parents play a huge role as well. They’re looking for things to do with their children over the summer,” said Zampino. “We get flooded with parent volunteers, particularly at the preschool level.”

The library includes a list of recommended movies, as well, of various genres for any family’s preference. Librarian Nancy Platt arranges the movie list and, according Zampino, is a movie buff and knows what will be appropriate for children. 

This year’s end-of-the-summer parties will be held Aug. 19 & 20.