MOOSE JAW — As summer winds down, the Moose Jaw Public Library is keeping the adventure alive with August programming inspired by cultures around the world — featuring global crafts, science experiments, reading challenges, and even free park passes.
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.
- Jaws: Played on Monday, Aug. 5.
- Viewer’s Choice: It’s Viewer’s Choice time at the Moose Jaw Library Movie Club — vote on the library’s Facebook page to help pick the August 18 screening, with the winning film announced on August 11. Show date: Monday, Aug. 18.
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.
- Grizzly Man: Grizzly Man is Werner Herzog’s 2005 documentary about bear enthusiast Timothy Treadwell, exploring his fatal encounter with a grizzly and offering a haunting reflection on humanity’s complex relationship with nature. Show date: Thursday, Aug. 28.
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.
- The LEGO Movie: Saturday, Aug. 9 (rated G).
- Batman & Robin (1997): Saturday, Aug. 23 (rated PG).
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 Greenstuff-epoxy putty sculptures on Monday, Aug. 18. Advance registration is required.
- Teen Makers: Guests made frog plushies on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
- Maker Saturdays: Guests made eraser stamps on Saturday, Aug. 2, and will create LEGO Spike Prime on Saturday, Aug. 30. 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
- Ocean Creature Discovery Bottles: Guests are invited to join Miss A for some stories of the deep sea and create an ocean creature discovery bottle. The program is designed for ages two and up and will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Children’s Program Room on Saturday, Aug. 23. Registration is required.
- Storytime in the Park: Guests are invited to join Storytime in the Park, starting at 11 a.m. and running on Wednesdays until Aug. 27 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 until Aug. 28. The free event is a drop-in program and guests can come and go as they please.
- LinkedIn Learning: Patrons are invited to learn with thousands of online courses that teach “in-demand skills from real-world industry experts” this August, available with a valid library card.
- Regional Park Passes: Use your library card to borrow a free regional park pass, valid for a seven-day loan period until Monday, Sept. 15.
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.
- Antarctica: Tuesday, Aug. 12
- North America: Tuesday, Aug. 19
- “The Differences We Share”: Tuesday, Aug. 26
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 “The Demon Prince of Momochi House” on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
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.
- Flextangles/Hexaflexagons: Wednesday, Aug. 20
The Teen Gamers program provides an evening of video, card, and board games for youth 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, Aug. 13
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. August features comics, with superheroes, epic battles, and quirky stories.
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, Aug. 17
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, Aug. 9, 16, 23, and 30
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: Insectopia: Group A will meet on Tuesdays from Aug. 19 to Sept. 23, starting at 6:30 p.m., and Group B will meet on Thursdays from Aug. 21 to Sept. 25, starting at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required.
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 who experience barriers to reading print materials, 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 Program Room starting at 10:30 a.m.
- L’heure du conte: Saturday, Aug. 30
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.
