The Moose Jaw Public Library’s June calendar is packed with programs that reflect the city’s multiculturalism and commitment to community learning — headlined by a greatly expanded Summer Reading Club launch event.
Scheduled for Saturday, June 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. and themed “All Around the World”, the launch party is an afternoon partnership with the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council.
Cultural performers and representatives from several local organizations — including the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, Festival of Words, and the City of Moose Jaw — will be on-site. There will be performances from Indigenous, Latin, Chinese, and Congolese dancers.
“There’s always music, games, and treats,” said Naiomi Setter, acting community outreach librarian, “but this year we’ve really opened it up to showcase everything the community has to offer.”
The Summer Reading Club itself offers passport-style reading logs for kids, teens, and adults, each following a theme of global discovery.
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. The Library has all kinds of resources available to anyone wanting to learn more about Indigenous history or get started in their Reconciliation journey.
Also this month is The Band City: An Archives Open House, rescheduled from Archives Week in February due to extreme weather. Timed to follow Moose Jaw’s most-successful-so-far Band & Choral Festival, the event gives residents a chance to explore the city’s musical legacy through rare photographs and documents from the library’s archives. Festival chairperson Janie Fries, who has been involved in one way or another for something 60 years, will facilitate the Open House.
Another returning favourite is the Regional Park Pass Lending Program, running June 16 to September 15. In partnership with the Saskatchewan Library Association and Saskatchewan Regional Parks, library patrons with a valid card can borrow passes for free entry to participating parks across the province.
From heritage exploration to summer reading and outdoor access, June at MJPL offers a little something for everyone.
Adult programs
- Moose Jaw Chess Club
- Sundays, June 8 & 22, from 1 to 4 p.m.
- Held in the Reading Room, all ages welcome
- MJPL Movie Club
- Monday, June 9 at 6 p.m. in the MJPL Theatre
- Drop-in program for adults
- Feature is I Saw the TV Glow
- Monday, June 23 at 6 p.m. in the MJPL Theatre
- Feature is All of Us Strangers
- Monday, June 9 at 6 p.m. in the MJPL Theatre
- Maker Night
- Monday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room
- Registration required
- Project: Burlap Chess Set
- The Band City: An Archives Open House
- Tuesday, June 17 at 2:30 p.m. in the MJPL Archives
- Exploring Moose Jaw’s long musical legacy
Youth programs
- Teen Makers
- Wednesday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the South Meeting Room
- For ages 12-19, registration required
- Project: Pencil Bags
- Teen D&D campaign: The Dragonstorm
- Ages 12-16, registration required
- Group A is Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30, June 17 to July 29
- Group B is Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30, June 19 to July 31
- Teen Arts & Crafts
- Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room
- Ages 12-19, drop-in program
- Project: Melty Bead Pixel Art
- Movie Matinee
- Saturday, June 28 at 2:30 p.m. in the MJPL Theatre
- All ages welcome, drop-in
- Feature is Charlie's Angels (PG)
Children’s programs
- LEGO Weekends
- Every Saturday and Sunday during open hours in the Children’s Department
- Ages 4 and up, self-guided activity
- Bugs in Mud Playdough
- Saturday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Program Room
- Ages 2 and up, registration required
- Canada Day Take ‘n’ Make Kit
- Available June 19 and onward during open hours
- Ages 4 to 12, one kit per child while supplies last
- Maker Saturdays
- Saturdays, June 7 and 21 at 2 p.m. in the Children’s Room/Herb Taylor Room
- Ages 8 to 12, registration required
- June 7: Scratch programming
- June 21: LEGO Spike Prime