MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Public Library is set to welcome February with a special guest presentation to honour Indigenous Storytelling Month, alongside a lineup of regular program options to engage the community and inspire a love of reading.
Movie club
The library’s movie club meets twice monthly to watch a film and engage in short discussion starting at 6 p.m. in the library’s theatre.
- Origin: Showed on Feb. 3.
- Anora: This Palme d’Or winning film was nominated for six Oscars and follows a Brooklyn sex worker and her complicated romance with a Russian oligarch’s son. As his family intervenes to tear them apart, the film blends thrills, raw emotion, and eccentric characters guided by Sean Baker’s signature empathy for marginalized communities. Show date: Tuesday, Feb. 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.
- Storming Caesars Palace: Storming Caesars Palace highlights Las Vegas activist Ruby Duncan’s battle against the U.S. welfare system and her pursuit of a guaranteed basic income. The film showcases the timeless power of standing by one’s principles. Show date: Thursday, Feb. 27.
A few movie matinees will be shown for audiences of all ages in the library’s theatre starting at 2:30 p.m. Admittance is free and everyone’s welcome.
- The Princess Bride: Saturday, Feb. 8 (rated PG).
- The Wild Robot: Saturday, Feb. 22 (rated G).
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 clay charms on Monday, Feb. 24. Advance registration is required.
- Teen Makers: Guests will create Minecraft papercraft projects on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
- Maker Saturdays: Guests made clay models on Feb. 1 and will make LEGO Spike Prime on Saturday, Feb. 15. 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.
Children’s Storytime programs run on separate days in the Children’s Program Room starting at 10:30 a.m. Here, young readers can enjoy a short story, rhymes, and songs as caregivers learn ways to improve early childhood literacy.
- Baby Storytime: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 11, 18, and 25.
- Preschool Storytime: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 12, 19, and 26.
- Daycare Storytime: Thursday, Feb. 6, 13, 20, and 27.
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.
Stand alone events
- Indigenous Storytelling Month: Celebrate Indigenous Storytelling Month with special guest Carol Rose GoldenEagle on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 10:30 a.m. in the library’s theatre.
- The Band City Archives Week: An open house with archival resources from Moose Jaw, formerly known as “The Band City,” will take place in the Archives Room from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
- Valenslime: Guests will make Valentines Day-themed slime creations in the Children’s Program Room on Saturday, Feb. 8.
- Unicorn Playdough: Guests will make unicorn playdough in the Children’s Program Room on Saturday, Feb. 22.
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 “D.Gray-man” on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
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.
- Paper heart decorations: Wednesday, Feb. 19.
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, Feb. 12.
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, Feb. 2 and 16.
Magic the Gathering is held on Saturdays at 2 p.m. in the Reading Room. No registration is required, and all experience levels are welcome.
- Magic the Gathering: Saturday, Feb. 1, 8, 15, and 22.
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: Rise of the Elements: Group one will meet on Tuesdays from Feb. 4 to Mar. 25 starting at 7 p.m., and group two will meet on Thursdays from Feb. 6 to Mar. 27 starting at 7 p.m. Registration is required.
Tech Time: Classes provide one-on-one instruction for modern-day electronic devices and are available by calling the library.
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: Took place on Feb. 1.
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.
