Posted on 04 November 2026 by Chris Brown.
Take inspiration from the ink on the pages of your favourite book and add ink to your body while raising funds for Medicine Hat Public Library. That's the idea of our Book-ish Tattoo Fundraiser.
Megan Hilgendorf, vice-chair of the MHPL Board, says the seed was planted in her mind when one of the owners of Modern Folklore Tattoos sent her a video of a tattoo inspiration night held at a library in the U.S. She took that a step further and suggested it become a fundraiser for MHPL, and Modern Folklore was quick to get on board.
The Book-ish Tattoo Fundraiser will happen in two parts, starting with Nov. 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. when people are invited to a planning night at the library. The shop’s tattoo artists will be in attendance and will have already done their own pre-planning.
"The artists are going to come here ahead of our information night and they are going to go on their own little adventure through the library and they're going to pull some books. They're really excited about the idea of children's books, nostalgia, and stuff because I think that's where a lot of us go is, you know, our favourite kids' books," explains Hilgendorf. "On that information night we're going to have these bookmarked books out for people to look through, or they're welcome to come with their own ideas."
She says the artists being in attendance will help people to make a realistic plan for inking day on Nov. 21 from 12-8 p.m. at Modern Folklore, 646B South Railway St. SE.
“As a fundraiser the idea is to try and see as many people as possible, that’s the goal,” says Hilgendorf. “So it wouldn't be very ideal if someone came in with a full sleeve idea or a back piece. That day is not the time.”
The shop’s owners plan to donate to the library the full cost of any book-ish tattoos done that day, minus the relatively minimal cost of setup fees such as needles, ink, and items needed to keep everything clean and sterile.
People will be able to book appointments at the planning night, or can take their chances as a walk-in on inking day.
Hilgendorf says a donation jar will be on site that day for anyone who doesn't want to get a tattoo, and temporary tattoos may be added to the day as well.
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