MOOSE JAW — Summer is in full swing, and the Moose Jaw Public Library is bursting with adventures from around the world — from reading challenges and science fun to global crafts and free park passes this July.
Movie club
The library’s movie club meets twice monthly to watch a film and engage in a short discussion starting at 6 p.m. in the library’s theatre.
- Hero: Hero is a visually stunning martial arts epic by Zhang Yimou that follows a nameless warrior’s encounters with assassins sent to kill the King of Qin, told through a series of stylized, shifting perspectives. Show date: Monday, July 7.
- The Seed of the Sacred Fig: Set during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a bold political drama by Mohammad Rasoulof that explores a fractured Iranian family amid rising authoritarianism, generational conflict, and state violence. Show date: Monday, July 21.
The library’s Documentary Night showcases documentary films that rarely hit theatres and takes place on the last Thursday of each month starting at 6 p.m. in the library’s theatre.
- Sisters in Law: Sisters in Law is a powerful 2005 documentary that follows a judge and prosecutor in Cameroon as they fight for justice in cases of gender violence within a deeply patriarchal legal system. Show date: Thursday, July 31.
A few movie matinees will be shown for audiences of all ages in the library’s theatre starting at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free, and everyone’s welcome.
- Pride and Prejudice (2005): Saturday, July 12 (rated G).
- Bridget Jones’s Diary: Saturday, July 26 (rated 14A).
Maker nights
Maker nights provide an evening dedicated to learning and creating with others. Register by calling 306-692-8210. The program runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room for ages 13 and up.
- Maker night: Guests will make sock creatures on Monday, July 14. Advance registration is required.
- Teen Makers: Guests made origami creations on Wednesday, July 2.
- Maker Saturdays: Guests made clay creations on Saturday, July 5, and will create snap circuits and little bits on Saturday, July 19. Advance registration is required.
Children’s programming
LEGO Weekends: Are open for ages four and up during the library’s regular business hours on Saturdays and Sundays. In this self-guided activity in the Children’s Department, children can have fun building wild LEGO creations that they’re invited to put on display.
The Baby Storytime, Preschool Storytime, and Daycare Storytime events have concluded for the summer and will return in the fall.
Be sure to check out TumbleBooks for Kids featuring an online collection of animated, talking picture books to teach children the joys of reading in the Digital Library.
Standalone events
- Storytime in the Park: Guests are invited to join the library for Storytime in the Park, running all summer long in Crescent Park in front of the library’s main entrance. The event is free of charge, designed for ages two and up, and is a drop-in program with no registration required.
- Come and Go Baby Play: Enjoy a story, sensory activities, play, and meet new people in the Children’s Program room from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays from July 10 to Aug. 28. The free event is a drop-in program and you can come and go as you please.
- Bluey Reads PJ Party: Guests can explore and develop literacy skills with their child while wearing their coolest pajamas at “Bluey Reads,” designed for ages two and up. The event takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 12. Registration is required.
- Mr. Eric: Sask. Summer of Fun Tour: Join Eric (Mr. Eric) Paetkau for an interactive performance including music, dance, and story sharing as he makes a stop in Moose Jaw from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 19. No registration required.
- Galaxy in a Jar: Guests will join Miss A for “a galactic storytime” and make their own galaxy jar to take home from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 26. Registration is required.
- Smash Bros Tournament: You’re invited to join the “Library Smash’em: Smash Bros Tournament” from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. The event is for ages 13 and up and winners will receive a trophy and 3D printer voucher. Register early as limited walk-in spots are available.
- Master Storyteller Naomi Steinberg: Steinberg will introduce guests to her book “The Goosefeather Kamishibai” through the Japanese art of Kamishibai from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29. Her book will be available for purchase.
- Cross-stitch: Whenever there’s a fifth Wednesday in a given month, a Teen Special Program will take place, with a cross-stitch event scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30. Registration is required.
Around the World
You’re invited to explore the world with the MJPL this summer, with events running from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Children’s Program Room.
- South America: Tuesday, July 8.
- Europe: Tuesday, July 15.
- Asia: Tuesday, July 22.
- Africa: Tuesday, July 29.
Science Centre Around the World
Explore the world with the Go! Science Outreach team from the Saskatchewan Science Centre as they bring hands-on fun and out-of-this-world science to the public library this summer. The program has three hour-long intakes from 1 to 4 p.m. in the South Meeting Room on Friday, July 25.
Youth programming
The library’s Teen Anime+ Club meets every fourth Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 to watch anime, read manga, draw, chat, and eat Asian snacks. Anyone ages 12 to 19 is welcome to attend in the library’s theatre and yes — cosplay is welcome.
- Next Anime+ meeting: Featuring “My Love Story with Yamada-Kun at Lv999” on Wednesday, July 23.
The Teen Arts & Crafts program takes place once a month for youth ages 12 to 19 and runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room. The program features art, crafts, snacks, and the chance to meet new friends.
- Silhouette art: Wednesday, July 16.
The Teen Gamers program provides an evening of video, card, and board games for youths ages 12 to 19. The program is held once a month in the Herb Taylor Room with snacks provided from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and no registration is required.
- Next Teen Gamers meeting: Wednesday, July 9.
Libby
Patrons can browse a collection of eBooks with no waitlist on the Libby app, available with a valid library card.
Hoopla
Patrons are invited to explore seven days of unlimited access to thought-provoking, quirky, and award-winning independent documentaries, series, and films, available on the Hoopla app with a valid library card.
Kanopy
Explore “the adventure of a lifetime” as seen through the eyes of acclaimed filmmakers for free through the Kanopy app, available with a valid library card.
Regular events
The Moose Jaw Chess Club provides bi-weekly chess games every second Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the South Meeting Room.
- Upcoming chess games: Sunday, July 6.
Magic: The Gathering is held on Saturdays at 2 p.m. in the Reading Room. No registration is required, with all experience levels welcome.
- Magic: The Gathering: Saturday, July 5, 12, and 26.
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is typically played from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Archives Room and players ages 12 to 16 across all experience levels are invited.
- Digital D&D: Will take place Fridays on the youth Discord channel for ages 16 to 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. Email [email protected] to inquire.
- D&D: The Dragonstorm: Group A will meet on Tuesdays from July 8 to July 29, starting at 6:30 p.m., and Group B will meet on Thursdays from July 3 to July 31, starting at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Daggerheart: Intra Umbra TTRPG
You’re invited to try the library’s new fantasy tabletop roleplaying game, “Daggerheart.” Games are intended for ages 16 and up and take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room. All supplies are provided but you can also bring your own.
- Daggerheart: Thursday, July 10, 17, 24, and 31.
Tech Time: These classes provide one-on-one instruction for modern-day electronic devices and are available by calling the library.
Library of Things
The MJPL offers more than just books, including a telescope kit, radon testing kit, SaskBats bat detector kit, C-Pen Readers for patrons with varying abilities in reading print, and more through its Library of Things collection. Ask a staff member at the front desk for more information.
French-language programs
L’heure du conte is a French-language program for children ages five and under with their caregivers. The program is held in the Children’s Room starting at 10:30 a.m.
- L’heure du conte: Saturday, July 5.
The Moose Jaw Public Library is located at 461 Langdon Crescent and can be reached online at MooseJawLibrary.ca, by calling 306-692-2787, or by emailing [email protected]. It’s advisable to check the library’s Facebook page for updates as programs are subject to possible cancellations or rescheduling.
