Ferguson Library
Ferguson Library is a non-profit municipal public library system in Stamford, Connecticut, serving the Stamford community through five branches, a bookmobile, and virtual services with free access to books, digital content, technology assistance, and community programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1877
- HeadquartersStamford, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ferguson Library does
Ferguson Library is a non-profit municipal public library system founded in 1877 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. It operates five physical branches (Main Library/DiMattia Building, Harry Bennett, South End, Weed Memorial & Hollander, and West Side), a bookmobile, an outreach service, and a 24/7 virtual platform, collectively serving approximately one million visitors per year. The institution is governed by a Board of Trustees and supported by the Ferguson Library Foundation (incorporated 1987) and the Friends of the Ferguson Library.
The library's core offerings span traditional lending (physical and digital collections, downloadable ebooks and audiobooks, streaming video via Kanopy), public technology access (computers, Wifi, printing, faxing, notary and passport services), maker and creative infrastructure (CreateLab), one-on-one knowledge services (Book a Librarian, Digital Navigators), and community facilities (meeting rooms, museum/park passes, a Multicultural Center). The underlying technology stack is composed of an iiivega-hosted integrated library system (catalog, patron accounts, mobile app), Overdrive/Kanopy for digital content, and standard public-access computing — no proprietary AI/ML systems are documented.
Ferguson Library generates no direct service revenue: all patron-facing services are free, funded primarily through Stamford municipal appropriations with supplemental contributions from the Ferguson Library Foundation, individual donations, and Friends-of-the-Library fundraising (e.g., the A Novel Affair annual gala). Its go-to-market model is community-led, relying on branch foot traffic, the bookmobile, the website, email newsletters, social media, and community partnerships (e.g., Stamford Early Childhood Collaborative, SilverSource, Lathon Wider Community Center) to drive utilization. Customer segments are horizontal across all Stamford age cohorts and life stages, with no enterprise or B2B contracts.
Ferguson Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ferguson Library
- Legal name
- Ferguson Library
- Website
- https://fergusonlibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1877
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Ferguson Library is a non-profit municipal public library system in Stamford, Connecticut, serving the Stamford community through five branches, a bookmobile, and virtual services with free access to books, digital content, technology assistance, and community programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ferguson Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)
Keywords
Where Ferguson Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stamford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Ferguson Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Public Library Services: Ferguson Library operates as a free public library funded primarily through municipal funding, donations, and the Ferguson Library Foundation. Services are provided at no cost to residents.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free library services for all community members |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ferguson Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ferguson Library is a multi-branch municipal public library system that provides free access to physical and digital collections (books, ebooks, audiobooks, streaming video), public computer and Wifi access, and a wide range of community programs and specialized services. It operates seven branches across Stamford, Connecticut, alongside a bookmobile, outreach services, and 24/7 virtual services, serving nearly one million visitors annually.
Product overview
Ferguson Library operates as a multi-branch public library system serving Stamford, Connecticut, offering a unified platform of traditional and digital library services. The core offering centers on physical and digital collections accessible through the iiivega-powered Catalog Search and Library Mobile App. Digital services include Download & Stream for ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming video via Overdrive/Kanopy. The library provides specialized services including Passport Services, Meeting Room Reservations, Digital Navigators tech support, CreateLab maker space, Book a Librarian advisory sessions, and notary services. Community outreach includes the Bookmobile mobile service, Outreach Services to underserved populations, and the Multicultural Center. Educational programs such as the Summer Learning Club round out the service portfolio. All services are interconnected through the library's unified card system and account management platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Catalog Search Online library catalog allowing patrons to search for books, materials, and digital content across the Ferguson Library system.
- Library Mobile App Mobile application allowing patrons to access their accounts, check out materials, and manage library services on the go.
- Download & Stream Digital content platform offering access to ebooks, e-audiobooks, streaming video, and electronic resources through integration with Overdrive and Kanopy.
- Museum & Park Passes Library program allowing patrons to borrow passes for local museums and parks, providing free or discounted access to cultural institutions.
- Passport Services On-site passport acceptance services at the Main Library location.
- Meeting Room Reservations Reservation system for library meeting rooms and community spaces available to the public for events and gatherings.
- Digital Navigators Technology assistance program offering one-on-one help with devices, laptop setup, digital skills, and internet access for community members lacking digital tools.
- CreateLab Maker space facility providing access to creative tools, technology equipment, and hands-on learning opportunities for patrons.
- Book a Librarian One-on-one personalized assistance from library staff for research, technology help, career guidance, and other specialized inquiries.
- Computers, Prints & Faxes Public computer access, printing services, scanning, and faxing capabilities available to library patrons.
- Notary Services On-site notary public services for official document authentication.
- Bookmobile
Companies that use Ferguson Library
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Ferguson Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ferguson Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, core and minor.
- Stamford Early Childhood CollaborativemoderateThe library partners with the Stamford Early Childhood Collaborative on community events and resources for young children and families, hosting regular Community Table meetings at the library.
- SilverSourcemoderateSilverSource operates a senior resource center at the Main Library on Wednesday afternoons, providing benefits check-ups and senior program eligibility assistance for older adults.
- Lathon Wider Community CentermoderateThe South End Branch is housed within the Lathon Wider Community Center, a partnership providing library services in the South End neighborhood.
- Urban Libraries CouncilmoderateFerguson Library is a signatory to the Urban Libraries Council Declaration of Democracy, committing to intellectual freedom and democratic values.
- Stamford Stands Against RacismmoderateThe library and its Friends organization are signatories to the Stamford Stands Against Racism call to action, committing to dismantling systemic racism in the community.
- Friends of the Ferguson LibrarycoreThe Friends of the Ferguson Library is a nonprofit organization that supports library programs, events, and initiatives through fundraising and volunteer efforts.
- Ferguson Library FoundationcoreThe Ferguson Library Foundation (incorporated in 1987) supports funding and development for the library's programs, services, and facilities.
- Chicago Public LibraryminorFerguson Library follows the lead of Chicago Public Library in becoming a book sanctuary, with Stamford being the first municipality in Connecticut to take this step.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ferguson Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Boston Public Library: Major urban public library system with extensive branch network, signature programming, and digital services, providing a relevant large-municipal benchmark for service breadth and community programming.
- New York Public Library: Massive urban public library system operating 90+ branches across NYC with extensive digital services, research libraries, and signature programming — relevant as a scale benchmark and thought leader in public library innovation.
- Chicago Public Library: Pioneer of the book sanctuary designation that Ferguson explicitly modeled its own designation after, making it the most directly comparable incumbent for this strategic positioning and intellectual-freedom advocacy.
Direct peers
- New Haven Free Public Library: Another large Connecticut municipal public library system serving a single city, offering similar multi-branch services, digital lending, and community programming — directly comparable in mission, funding model, and service mix.
- Bridgeport Public Library: Multi-branch Connecticut municipal public library offering traditional collections plus digital services and community programming, with a comparable urban demographic profile and funding structure to Ferguson.
- Darien Library: Affluent-suburban Connecticut public library with a strong innovation reputation, offering similar digital/maker programming (3D printing, digital media) and serving a comparable wealthy commuter-belt population to Stamford.
- Norwalk Public Library: Neighboring Fairfield County Connecticut municipal library system, comparable in scale and service mix, directly competing for regional patron attention and benchmarked alongside Ferguson by state funders.
- Greenwich Library: Adjacent suburban Connecticut public library serving a comparable demographic to Stamford, with extensive programming, digital resources, and a multi-branch/specialized service model.
- Hartford Public Library: Connecticut's capital-city public library system, operating multiple branches with a similar mix of digital services, workforce/literacy programs, and community partnerships funded through municipal and philanthropic sources.
Others
- Connecticut State Library: State-level library and archives authority providing inter-library loan, state funding, and policy coordination for Connecticut public libraries including Ferguson — directly relevant as the regulatory and funding ecosystem participant.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ferguson Library social profiles
Digital presenceFerguson Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ferguson Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ferguson Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ferguson Library M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ferguson Library
What does Ferguson Library do?
Ferguson Library is a multi-branch municipal public library system that provides free access to physical and digital collections (books, ebooks, audiobooks, streaming video), public computer and Wifi access, and a wide range of community programs and specialized services. It operates seven branches across Stamford, Connecticut, alongside a bookmobile, outreach services, and 24/7 virtual services, serving nearly one million visitors annually.
Is Ferguson Library a public or private company?
Ferguson Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ferguson Library founded?
Ferguson Library was founded in 1877. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Ferguson Library based?
Ferguson Library is headquartered in Stamford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ferguson Library make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Library Services.
Who are Ferguson Library's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Boston Public Library, New York Public Library and Chicago Public Library. Direct peers are New Haven Free Public Library, Bridgeport Public Library, Darien Library, Norwalk Public Library, Greenwich Library and Hartford Public Library. Connecticut State Library is listed as an others.
Does Ferguson Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ferguson Library.
What industry is Ferguson Library in?
Ferguson Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.