The Moose Jaw Public Library (MJPL) is expanding their French-language programming in March with a bilingual storytime and a Radio Canada collaboration, along with the usual books, films, arts and crafts, and Dungeons & Dragons. 

Naiomi Setter, the MJPL public service and social media clerk, said the library has wanted to increase French programming for a while. A new, regular bimonthly story time for ages 0-5 and their caregivers will be led by a fluently bilingual presenter. 

“The first one will be on March 11, that’s a Monday, at 10:30 a.m.,” Setter explained, “it’s called ‘L’heure du conte’ and the presenter is fluent in French and English, and we welcome all levels of French language.” 

A Radio Canada collaboration starting Feb. 29 with journalists Nicole Lavergne-Smith and Chantal Hamon is also intended for French language speakers of any level. Participants in that program will learn digital storytelling and have a chance to present a professionally edited finished product during a final workshop on April 11.

DiscoverMooseJaw.com has the full story on the above Radio Canada collaboration here.

Setter also noted that the ‘One Book, One Province’ celebration is coming up in April, so the public should also know about an early April reading by author Jennifer Wallace.

Wallace’s book Miss G and Me is the 2024 Saskatchewan selection for One Book, One Province. She will host a book reading and Q&A at the MJPL on Friday, April 5 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. 

“Our regular programs are going to be running through March, as well,” Setter added. “Our story times, our D&D programs — actually, March D&D is already full! And then we have our Maker Saturdays, every second Saturday, and our children’s story times and crafts. We’ll be doing ‘unicorn slime’ and a St. Patrick’s Day story time.” 

Program highlights:

  • Adult programming 
    • MJ Chess Club 
      • Sundays, March 3 and 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. 
      • All-ages drop-in program 
    • MJPL Movie Club in the theatre 
      • Monday, March 4 at 6 p.m. — Raging Bull 
      • Monday, March 18 at 6 p.m. — *Viewer’s Choice (vote until March 11) 
    • MJPL Book Club 
      • Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. 
      • Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls 
  • Teen programming 
    • Teen Gamers 
      • Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. for youth 12-19 
      • Drop-in program, snacks provided 
      • Board games, cards, video games, and more 
    • Spaceballs movie 
      • Saturday, March 23 at 2:30 p.m. in the MJPL Theatre 
    • Teen Anime+ Club  
    • Wednesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. 
    • BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense 
    • Ages 12-19, drop-in program, snacks provided 
  • Children’s programming 
    • St. Patrick’s Day Story Time 
      • Saturday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m. 
      • Ages 2+, registration required  
    • L’heure du conte 
      • Lundi, 11 et 25 mars, 10h30 
      • À la chambre des enfants pour les 0-5 ans et leurs soignants 
      • All levels of French language are welcome 
    • Take ‘N Make Paper Easter Egg 
      • Available March 18 during open hours 
      • For ages 4-12 
    • Unicorn Slime 
      • Saturday, March 23 at 10:30 a.m. 
      • Ages 2+, registration required 

For all program registrations, contact Naiomi Setter at nsetter@moosejawlibrary.ca or at 306-692-8210. 

Full details for all Moose Jaw Public Library programs are available in-person during open hours, or on the MJPL website at www.moosejawlibrary.ca.