PHONE
Unit 21A
Shoppers Mall
Brandon, MB
R7A 5C5
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
Danielle Hubbard
Director of Library Services
Direct email: danielle@nullwmrl.ca
Louise Ferguson
Programming & Outreach Librarian
Direct email: louise@nullwmrl.ca
Carson Rogers
Branch Supervisor, Brandon locations
Direct email: carson@nullwmrl.ca
Past & Future Events
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After a public campaign featuring pro-library propaganda such as “Brandon is known as the City without a Library. What are you going to do about it?” – The Brandon War Memorial Public Library opened on September 5, 1946. It was headquartered in the old Merchants Bank Building (present day Chamber of Commerce); the building was made available to the City for library purposes by the Bank of Montreal. Mr. Bruce Carrick served as the first librarian. In 1951 a new landmark was reached when the basement of the library was converted into a spacious boys and girls department. In 1954 a small sub-branch was opened in the new George Fitton School. This branch was open three hours every Wednesday afternoon and catered to the “children and adults of a district far from the downtown library.” In 1967 the Brandon War Memorial Public Library joined with the library in Carberry North Cypress to form the Western Manitoba Regional Library (WMRL). Today, the Brandon Public Library serves as the headquarters for the WMRL and its four rural branches in the communities of Carberry, Neepawa, Glenboro and Hartney.
A newspaper article from 1973 reported that “a committee of concerned individuals has been formed in Brandon to look at the possibility of setting up a cultural centre in the city which would house a museum, art gallery and library”. In 1979 council voted to abandon the concept of renovating the landmark CP hotel, the Prince Edward, into a public library. In late 1981, after much debate, the former site of the Brandon Coop was purchased as the future home of the city’s Centennial Library Arts Centre. The official opening of the new facility was held on April 1, 1984 and featured an address by Martin Kavanagh – first Chairman of the 1942 Brandon Library Committee.
As 2001 drew to a close the Brandon Public Library was on the move again – this time to its present site, the former Eaton’s Department store building on Rosser Avenue.
Past & Future Events
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24apr10:00 am12:00 pmLauren Carter presents Creating Fictional Characters10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday, April 24 10:00 am-12:00 pm Held over Zoom Lauren Carter is a multi-genre writer of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Her published works include the novels Swarm and This Has Nothing to Do with You.
Saturday, April 24
10:00 am-12:00 pm
Held over Zoom
Lauren Carter is a multi-genre writer of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Her published works include the novels Swarm and This Has Nothing to Do with You. Carter is the current Writer-in-Residence for Winnipeg Public Library. She will present an online workshop to WMRL patrons on Creating Fictional Characters.
Characters make or break a story. The truer to life they are for the writer, the more vivid they'll be for the reader. In this online workshop, Winnipeg Public Library Writer-in-Residence Lauren Carter will lead you through several writing exercises to explore your fictional character's appearance, past, emotional realities, and objectives. Come prepared to write!
Thanks to the Winnipeg Public Library for making this event possible.
(Saturday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
26apr7:00 pmNon-Fiction Book Club7:00 pm
Non-Fiction: 4th Monday of each month All Book Clubs are self-run at this time and meet virtually. Spots are limited. Those looking to join a book club can email programs@wmrl.ca to be
Non-Fiction: 4th Monday of each month
All Book Clubs are self-run at this time and meet virtually.
Spots are limited.
Those looking to join a book club can email programs@wmrl.ca to be connected to a group!
(Monday) 7:00 pm
may 24, 2021 7:00 pmjune 28, 2021 7:00 pm
27aprAll DayPajama Storytime(All Day: tuesday)
Facilitated by Robin Geared towards a family audience Videos will be posted on the following Tuesday evenings: April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11. Put on your favourite PJs and join us
Facilitated by Robin
Geared towards a family audience
Videos will be posted on the following Tuesday evenings: April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11.
Put on your favourite PJs and join us on Instagram or Facebook (@WMRLibrary) for bedtime stories, rhymes, and songs. Videos will be posted on Tuesday evenings and will remain up on our social media pages for families to access at their convenience.
All Day (Tuesday)
28apr10:30 am11:00 amVirtual Storytime10:30 am - 11:00 am
Facilitated by Paige Geared towards a preschool audience Follow @WMRLibrary on Instagram and join us on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am for a read aloud. Each video will remain accessible on our
Facilitated by Paige
Geared towards a preschool audience
Follow @WMRLibrary on Instagram and join us on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am for a read aloud. Each video will remain accessible on our social media for 24 hours after the Livestream, in compliance with publisher permissions.
(Wednesday) 10:30 am - 11:00 am
28apr7:00 pm9:00 pmAdult Creative Writing7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Facilitated by Alex Meetings are held virtually on alternating Wednesdays April 14, 28, May 12, 26, June 9, 23 7:00-9:00 pm Submission deadlines for reading materials are due to alex@wmrl.ca on April 21, May
Facilitated by Alex
Meetings are held virtually on alternating Wednesdays
April 14, 28, May 12, 26, June 9, 23
7:00-9:00 pm
Submission deadlines for reading materials are due to alex@wmrl.ca on April 21, May 5, 19, June 2, 16. Submissions are limited to 1000 words each.
This Creative Writing program follows a workshop model. The group meets virtually every two weeks to provide each other with feedback on works in progress. In the intervening weeks, participants email their work to Alex, who then distributes the writing to everyone in the group. No previous writing experience is necessary!
Registration is required. Please email programs@wmrl.ca to get signed up.
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
01mayAll DaySTEM Kits(All Day: saturday) Brandon Public Library - Shoppers Mall Location
For youth ages 9-12 Free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Kits will be available for pick-up from our Shoppers Mall location on a first-come, first served basis. Please email wmrlshoppersmall@wmrl.ca
For youth ages 9-12
Free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Kits will be available for pick-up from our Shoppers Mall location on a first-come, first served basis. Please email wmrlshoppersmall@wmrl.ca or call 204-725-9901 to make arrangements for pick-up.
Instructions for each project will be included in the kits. Instructional videos will also be posted to our YouTube Channel (search for “Western Manitoba Regional Library” and subscribe). Kits will be released on the dates listed below and available until they run out.
April: Melting Snowman Oobleck
May: Layers of the Earth Playdough
June: Pool Noodle Periscope
All Day (Saturday)
Brandon Public Library - Shoppers Mall Location
1570 18th Street - Unit 21A
01mayAll DayLEGO Club: Virtual Edition(All Day: saturday)
Facilitated by Kendal Ages 5+ New videos will be shared to YouTube on April 3, May 1, June 5 LEGO Club returns in a virtual format. Check out the WMRL YouTube page (search for
Facilitated by Kendal
Ages 5+
New videos will be shared to YouTube on April 3, May 1, June 5
LEGO Club returns in a virtual format. Check out the WMRL YouTube page (search for “Western Manitoba Regional Library” and subscribe) on the 1st Saturday of the month for a new LEGO challenge. Participants must have their own building materials (substitutions will be suggested for those without LEGO). Send us a photo of your creation via Facebook or Instagram (@WMRLibrary on both) or email it to programs@wmrl.ca and we will share it to our social media and give you a shoutout!
All Day (Saturday)
june 5, 2021 (All Day)
01mayAll DayKids Take & Make Crafts(All Day: saturday)
Free craft kits for kids are available on a first-come, first-served basis each month. See below for participating locations. Contact your local branch to reserve a kit! April: Caterpillars Available in Brandon (Shoppers Mall
Free craft kits for kids are available on a first-come, first-served basis each month. See below for participating locations. Contact your local branch to reserve a kit!
April: Caterpillars
Available in Brandon (Shoppers Mall location) and Carberry
May: Butterflies
Available in Brandon (Shoppers Mall), Carberry, & Neepawa
June: Rainbows
Available in Brandon (Shoppers Mall) and Carberry
All Day (Saturday)
01mayAll DayAdult Take & Make Craft Kits(All Day: saturday)
For ages 13+ Free craft kits will be available at participating locations on a first come, first served basis each month. You may reserve a kit by contacting your local branch. Each kit will
For ages 13+
Free craft kits will be available at participating locations on a first come, first served basis each month. You may reserve a kit by contacting your local branch. Each kit will include the necessary supplies (any extras needed will be noted) as well as instructions for completing the craft. Instructional videos for visual learners will also be posted to our YouTube channel (search for “Western Manitoba Regional Library” and follow us).
April: Macrame Rainbows
(available at Brandon Shoppers Mall and Carberry)
May: Yarn Butterflies
(available at Brandon Shoppers Mall, Carberry, and
Neepawa)
June: Concrete Coasters
(available at Brandon Shoppers Mall and Carberry)
All Day (Saturday)
03may7:00 pmBook Club 17:00 pm
General Interest: Mondays, once per month All Book Clubs are self-run at this time and meet virtually. Those looking to join a book club can email programs@wmrl.ca to be connected to a
General Interest: Mondays, once per month
All Book Clubs are self-run at this time and meet virtually.
Those looking to join a book club can email programs@wmrl.ca to be connected to a group!
(Monday) 7:00 pm
june 7, 2021 7:00 pm
08may10:00 am12:30 pmKAIROS Blanket Exercise10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Ages 18+ Held over Zoom Developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and educators, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive & experiential teaching tool that explores the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples
Ages 18+
Held over Zoom
Developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and educators, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive & experiential teaching tool that explores the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the land we now know as Canada. Participants are guided by trained facilitators who work from a script that covers pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, resistance and much more. The exercise concludes with a talking circle, during which participants discuss the learning experience and deepen their understanding.
This workshop will be held virtually over Zoom. As spots are limited, registration is required in advance. Please email programs@wmrl.ca to secure your spot!
Trigger warning: The KAIROS Blanket Exercise walks through difficult life experiences, such as Indian Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop and other instances of colonial violence and policies that have negatively affected Indigenous Peoples.
(Saturday) 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Unit 1
Brandon, MB
R7A 0K9
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 2PM
Unit 21A
Shoppers Mall
Brandon, MB
R7A 5C5
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
10AM – 6PM
PO Box 382
Carberry, MB
R0K 0H0
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
CLOSED
9AM – 5PM
9AM – 5PM
9AM – 5PM
9AM – 5PM
9AM – 5PM
PO Box 429
Glenboro MB
R0K 0X0
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
CLOSED
11AM – 5PM
11AM – 5PM
11AM – 5PM
11AM – 5PM
CLOSED
PO Box 121
Hartney, MB
R0M 0X0
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
CLOSED
1PM – 5PM
1PM – 5PM
1PM – 5PM
1PM – 5PM
CLOSED
PO Box 759
Neepawa MB
R0J 1H0
PHONE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesdy
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
10:00AM – 5:30PM
10:00AM – 5:30PM
10:00AM – 5:30PM
10:00AM – 5:30PM
10:00AM – 5:30PM
CLOSED