The Moose Jaw Public Library is having a 'Jane Austen' month in July as summer starts, including multiple Austen-themed movies and shows at the Public Library theatre and having Pride and Prejudice as the focus of the MJPL Book Club.

Other exciting upcoming events include a showing of skateboarding documentary Minding the Gap by Bing Liu on Thursday, July 25 at 6 p.m., a Teen Dungeons & Dragons campaign on Tuesdays and Thursdays through to the end of August, and a day of workshops by the Saskatchewan Science Centre for ages 6 to 13.

Naiomi Setter at the library highlighted the capstone event for July Austen month.

"July 29th at 7:00 p.m., we're having a guest lecture from the University of Regina — Doctor Alexis McQuigge — she is a sessional lecturer at the U of R and specializes in Jane Austen, so we're excited to have her come and do a little talk on Jane Austen, answer any questions that anybody might have," Setter explained.

"In the afternoon on July 29th, the Saskatchewan Science Centre will be doing some free workshops from 1 to 4, so we've got 'Fly Me to the Moon,' 'Disaster-Defying Architects,' and 'Backyard Biodiversity'.

"Each workshop is an hour long. They do require separate registration for each one, and they're open to children ages 6 to 13, although the Saskatchewan Science Centre won't turn anybody away."

The library has also started its Summer Reading Club, with three age categories (0-12, 12-19, and adults 18+), and prizes to be awarded at the end of the season.

For any questions about library programs, or to register for upcoming events, email the MJPL at ask@mjlibrary.ca. The library website is www.mjlibrary.ca.

Children's program highlights

  • L'heure du conte (French Storytime) Lundi, 15 et 29 juillet
    • Storytime with a bilingual reader at 10:30 a.m. on July 15 and 29
    • For ages 0-5
  • Mr. Eric — Songs & Stories with Eric Paetkau
    • 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 13 in the MJPL Theatre
  • Saskatchewan Science Centre at MJPL
    • Monday, July 29 at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
    • Themed workshops for ages 6 to 13 — registration required

Youth program highlights

  • Teen D&D: Camp Goodberry
    • 6:30 p.m. in the MJPL Archives, Tuesdays and Thursday in July and August
    • For ages 12-16, registration required
  • Teen Makers
    • Wednesday, July 3 at 6:30 p.m.
    • Learn to work with faux leather, for ages 12-19
  • Teen Anime+ Club
    • Wednesday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the theatre
    • Ages 12-19, snacks provided
    • Feature is Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion

Adult program highlights

  • Magic the Gathering
    • Saturdays, July 6, 13, 27 at 2 p.m.
    • For ages 13 and up
  • MJ Chess Club
    • Sundays from 1-4 p.m., July 7 and 14
    • All ages and experience levels welcome
  • Pride + Prejudice + Zombies (movie)
    • Saturday, July 27 at 2:30 p.m.
    • In the MJPL Theatre, rated 14+
  • MJPL Book Club
    • Tuesday, July 30 at 7 p.m.
    • Discussing Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen