Welcome to the Medicine Hat Public Library
Welcome to the Medicine Hat Public Library
2023
Book the Co-Op Community Developmental Play Space or just drop-in!
Drop-in from:
Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun: 1:00PM - 4:45PM (We are currently closed on Sunday for the summer)
Tue, Wed, Thu: 1:00PM - 7:45PM
Or
Book through Family Bookings, available 10:15-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Monday to Saturday:
February 2020
The Co-op Community Developmental Play Space officially opened after a ribbon cutting took place on Saturday, February 1. Below is everything that you need to know about this great new addition to our library.
December 2019
The Co-op Community Developmental Play Space will finally be ready to open on Saturday, February 1st! Thanks to a generous $74,300 Co-op Community Spaces grant, we have created a space within our Kinsmen Children’s Library for all kids to read. play. learn.
During our Grand Opening, children will get the chance to play on the play structure and explore other fun activities setup throughout the Library. Note: The play structure is intended for preschoolers, however there are other great additions to our space for older kids (up to age 12) to interact with.
A formal ribbon cutting will occur at 10:00 am on Feb 1.
October 2019
Thank you for bearing with us during the noise and dust that this renovation has caused. We are happy to report that we're on track to complete the Play Space addition without having to close the Children's Library!
Though you won't have to worry about a closure to your Children's Library, you may still be faced with some frustrations like trying to find the Paw Patrol books, your favourite DVDs, or the new toy area. You may have also noticed that holds on children's DVDs, CDs, and kits are temporarily disabled. With so many of our materials being moved constantly right now, please rely on our staff to help you find the materials you're looking for.
To stay up-to-date with the renovation progress, watch our Play Space Story Highlight on our Instagram page.
June 2019
During our South Country Co-op Sponsored BBQ on June 17th we announced that early in the New Year we will be unveiling a brand new children's library complete with a developmental play space. This project, one of the only FREE indoor play spaces in our community, will be completed thanks to a generous $74,300 Co-op Community Spaces grant.
When the project is complete, the children's library will be furnished with a play structure, interactive wall panels, activity stations where learning, building, and exploring will happen, plus new toys, costumes and puppets will be added. These additions will benefit the preschool-aged children we serve but we haven't forgotten about the older kids. A tween area will be furnished with a giant tablet and STEM activities.
You may be asking why we would embark on such a project. The answer is simple: Research shows that children learn best when a multi-faceted approach to learning is taken. Combining imaginative play and physical play along with reading is best for the development of our youngsters. Not to mention, we anticipate that families will visit the Library in droves (especially in the dead of winter) to play in our space. Having an increase in young visitors will help us reach our goal of raising lifelong library users.
For making our dream a reality, we owe a giant THANK YOU to Co-op! If you'd like to join us in showing your appreciate to this great, community-minded organization, we encourage you to buy your groceries in their grocery stores, fill you tank at their gas stations, purchase your liquor at their liquor stores, and get your farm/agro products at the agro stores. Find a list of South Country Co-op stores here.
If you're an adult reading this and wondering what we're doing to improve your library experience: Don't worry, you're next on our project list.
To learn more about the Co-op Community Spaces grant and to see what other projects they've funded in 2019, click here.