Posted on 24 December 2025 by Chris Brown.
Part of what has made the dedicated teen space at Medicine Hat Public Library so successful in the since opening about 2.5 years ago is that teens themselves have a major say in the programs that take place.
Two new programs starting in the Honeycomb in January are proof of that.
“We gathered some feedback from our teens in the community of programs they’d like to see in addition what we run and so it’s my goal to make their dreams happen,” says Stephanie Kuhn, MHPL's Youth and Community Librarian. “For this coming up year they asked to learn how to make fibre arts. So, they’re going to learn how to crochet, knit and we might even do a few other sessions in the spring.”
Fibre Friends: Crochet takes place on Jan. 19 and 26, followed by Fibre Friends: Knitting on Feb. 2 and 9. Over the course of the two-week programs, teens will learn how to crochet a stuffed animal and knit a toque.
Registration is required for both of the programs.
There’s also an intergenerational dimension to Fibre Friends, says Kuhn.
“What’s really cool about these programs is I’ve partnered with our local sewing ladies that attend the library every Tuesday (the Stitching in the Afternoon group). So these wonderful sewing ladies have volunteered their time to help the teens learn how to crochet and knit,” she says.
Kuhn also hopes to see a community of artists through Doodle Den. It’s a drop-in program Jan. 9, 17, 23 and 31, as well as Feb. 6, 14, 20 and 28, and was also developed following feedback through teens. Teens can meet fellow artists, enhance their skills and get tips and tricks and from an especially artistic MHPL staff member.
Watch the video below of Kuhn’s interview on Community Conversations with Ian Parkinson on the local Rogers TV station for more details on these programs. They also discussed the new Artist Alley at Library Comic Con on May 2, 2026 and more teen programs.
Visit mhpl.info/teens to learn more about teen programs at the library or follow @mhplteens on Instagram and TikTok.
Follow the library on social media: @mhpubliclibrary