Bismarck Library Mahjong Club (Bismarck ND)

Category: Local groups · Bismarck ND / public-library weekly drop-in mahjong club (Thursday afternoons + Tuesday evenings)
Also called: Mahjong Club at Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library; Library Mah-Jongg Group; Mahjong Club-Evening Edition
Last checked: 2026-10-09

What it is

The Mahjong Club is a free, weekly, drop-in mahjong group at the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library in Bismarck, North Dakota. It meets Thursdays, 2:00–4:00 PM, in the Missouri River Room, with dates printed through November 19, 2026. A new “Evening Edition” meets Tuesdays, 6:00–8:00 PM, in the Main Floor Atrium from October 13 to November 24, 2026. The library says beginners through advanced players are welcome, newcomers can watch and ask questions, and no registration or experience is required. It is library-run local community play, not a paid class and not a shop.

Who it’s for

Bismarck–Mandan–area adults who play mahjong or want to pick it up by watching and joining in. The evening edition suits people who work during the day. North Dakota has no listing of any kind on disk. The nearest local groups are in Minneapolis, Omaha and Des Moines.

Why it’s listed

The plaza needs a local group in an unused state with a current, printed schedule. Recent local-group picks were Thursday’s DMPL South Side Library (Des Moines IA), Wednesday’s Rochambeau Library (Providence RI), Tuesday’s CSJCC Tulsa (OK) and Monday’s JCC Denver (CO). This is the plaza’s first North Dakota listing. Unlike Des Moines (twice monthly, afternoons only), it meets weekly and adds a weekday evening session.

• Thursday event page (https://bismarcklib.librarycalendar.com/event/mahjong-club-21431) returned 200 on 2026-10-09:
  • Mahjong Club, Thursday, October 15, 2026, 2:00pm–4:00pm, Missouri River Room. The series runs weekly from 06/04/26, with remaining dates 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/05, 11/12 and 11/19/26. Age group Adults.
  • “Explore new hobbies and learn from experienced hobbyists as you learn Mahjong! Beginner to advanced players are welcome to join the Library Mah-Jongg Group.”
  • “If you are new to the game or just discovering the game, feel free to observe how the game is played and ask questions. We have the resources, including books and online recommendations, to help you get started.”
  • “No registration or experience is required. You can drop in whenever it suits your schedule. When you are ready to play, just pull up a chair and join the fun!”
  • Location: Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, 515 N 5th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501, (701) 355-1480. A named library contact is printed.
• Evening edition page (https://bismarcklib.librarycalendar.com/event/mahjong-club-evening-edition-26051) returned 200: Mahjong Club-Evening Edition, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 6:00pm–8:00pm, Main Floor Atrium, also 10/20, 10/27, 11/03, 11/10, 11/17 and 11/24/26. Same description; age group Adults.
• Event list filtered for “mahjong” (https://bismarcklib.librarycalendar.com/events/list?keywords=mahjong) returned 200. It listed the Thursday dates Oct 15 – Nov 19 and the Tuesday evening dates Oct 13 – Nov 24, 2026.
• Hours & Holidays (https://www.bismarcklibrary.org/2341/Hours-Holidays) returned 200: Mon–Thu 9 AM–9 PM; Fri–Sat 9 AM–6 PM; Sun 1–6 PM. 2026 closures include Wednesday, Nov 11 (Veterans Day) and Thursday, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving). Neither falls on a scheduled club date.
• About (https://www.bismarcklibrary.org/2210/About) returned 200: founded in 1917 with a Carnegie grant and renamed for local veterans in 1963. The 70,000-square-foot main library takes up a full city block with its entrance on 5th Street. It hosts free events and programs and lends board games among its special collections.

Not stated on site: which ruleset the club plays (American, Chinese or other), whether the library provides sets or NMJL cards, and any dates after November 19 (Thursdays) or November 24 (Tuesdays). Earlier Thursday sessions ran from June, so the club may continue, but later dates were not posted on the check date. No fee is listed. Check the event list before you go.

Official URL

Thursday series (current dates): https://bismarcklib.librarycalendar.com/event/mahjong-club-21431

Tuesday evening edition: https://bismarcklib.librarycalendar.com/event/mahjong-club-evening-edition-26051

All upcoming mahjong events: https://bismarcklib.librarycalendar.com/events/list?keywords=mahjong

Library hours and holidays: https://www.bismarcklibrary.org/2341/Hours-Holidays

About the library: https://www.bismarcklibrary.org/2210/About

Location

Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, 515 N 5th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501. Thursdays in the Missouri River Room; Tuesday evenings in the Main Floor Atrium. Phone (701) 355-1480.

Notes

• Local drop-in club at a public library, adults, free, with no registration. Newcomers can watch and learn, but it is not a formal class.
• First North Dakota listing on disk; Bismarck is a new metro for the plaza.
• Library-run (city library with a named staff contact), with two weekly time slots this fall.
• Not affiliated with Mahjong Plaza.

FAQ

Q: When does the Bismarck library mahjong club meet?
A: Thursdays, 2:00–4:00 PM Central (Missouri River Room), through Nov 19, 2026, and Tuesdays, 6:00–8:00 PM (Main Floor Atrium), Oct 13 – Nov 24, 2026.

Q: Do I need to register or know how to play?
A: No. The library says no registration or experience is required. Beginners can watch, ask questions and join when ready.

Q: Is there a cost?
A: No fee is listed. It is a library program.

Q: Where is it?
A: Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, 515 N 5th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501. Phone (701) 355-1480.