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ISSN 2369-4939
Volume 5 Issue 11
November 1, 2019
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Greetings from the President
I am writing to you from my desk while looking out on the snowy streets of Regina. Although I am not yet ready for winter, the snow is beautiful.
The SLA Board met in Regina on October 27 and 28. The first day was a facilitated discussion to inform the development of a Communication
Plan. A report from the facilitators will help guide SLA in the development of a full Communication Plan. The second day covered many topics, including the funding submission to SaskCulture, SLA's Diversity Plan, programming, publications, intellectual freedom and the Toronto Public Library's recent decision to provide space to a controversial speaker, and more.
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Photo Credit: Andrew Marshall |
I had the privilege of representing SLA at the launch of Saskatchewan Library Week. We were fortunate to partner with the Dr. John Archer Library, University of Regina and the Aboriginal Student Centre, University of Regina to host a reading by
Joshua Jordan G.H
. Joshua, along with his guardian, Sheila, read from two of his books, including -
Shopping Cart Boy: Poems of My Life
. Joshua is a Cree teenager from Regina who writes poetry to tell his truth, including his life with his mother, homelessness, and his experience with the foster care system. It was an incredible experience to share in this reading.
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Executive Director's Report
Communication Plan is under Development
The SLA Board of Directors holds four in-person meetings throughout the year, including: Board changeover meeting in June, retreat and Board meeting in August, and Board meetings in October and March. The October and March meetings generally provide an opportunity to have a more extensive session that focuses on a significant strategic issue in addition to the Board business meeting. Most
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Photo Credit: Marina dos Santos Candeia |
recently, the Board met on October 27-28. The session on October 27 was devoted to the development of a Communication Plan. With the assistance of two dynamic facilitators,
Andrea Wagner and
Shawn Silzer, we were able to: define the purpose, objectives and principles of a Communication Plan; identify our key audiences for communications; consider how we relate to these audiences and how the organization would like to relate to the audiences.
There is more work to be done, but all in attendance agreed this was an excellent start. Our thanks to
Alan Kilpatrick and
Lesley Polsom, SLA members who joined the SLA Board and staff for the afternoon of October 27.
Board Minutes will be Posted Online
At the October 2019 Board Meeting, it was decided that a summary of board meeting minutes (excluding in camera or confidential items) will be posted online and therefore will be available to interested parties. This decision is consistent with SLA's commitment to openness and transparency.
The SLA Fall Happy Hour will be held on November 6. The social is a great opportunity to network with fellow library workers! Join us for free appetizers at:
- Mr. Mikes East, Regina (2045 Prince of Wales Drive)
- Hudsons, Saskatoon (401 21 Street East)
- Kostas, La Ronge (707 La Ronge Avenue)
We Moved!
SLA is growing! We have moved to a new office space to accommodate changes and be able to serve you better! Our new address is 10-2010 7th Avenue, Regina SK, S4R 1C2.
The Partnership - Education Institute Fall Calendar
The Education Institute offers programming year-round for professionals from all library sectors from coast to
coast. All webinars are $45 for members and $55 for non members, unless otherwise noted. Webinars qualify
for one CEC credit.
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Reminder: Children Storytelling and Performer Tours
Reports for Children Storytelling and Performer Tours must be sent to Anne Pennylegion at
slaprograms@sasktel.net. Please note that grants will only be awarded upon receipt of your report.
Reminder: Culture Days Reports
Culture Days reports are due on
November 15. Please note that grants will only be awarded upon receipt of your report.
Saskatchewan Library Week 2019
Saskatchewan Library Week was October 20-26. Many events celebrating libraries took place around the province, including a launch event where SLA was given a
Proclamation from the Government of Saskatchewan recognizing Saskatchewan Library Week.
We would like to thank all Saskatchewan libraries that engaged in Saskatchewan Library Week celebrations, as well as all library workers and SLA members.
We would also like to remind you that the
Book Spine Poetry Contest is still open until the end of today (November 1st, 2019).
Saskatchewan Library Week is always a great opportunity to engage with community members and celebrate libraries. SLA is thankful for the support we received and for all library workers that are committed to building the future.
His Honour the Honourable Russ Mirasty Lieutenant Governor of
Saskatchewan has agreed to serve as the Honorary Patron for SLA's One
Book, One Province Saskatchewan project! It is a privilege to have such
an accomplished and highly-regarded Saskatchewan resident support our
work and help bring attention to our project. You can read more about
Mr. Mirasty on the One Book, One Province Saskatchewan website (click
on "Honorary Patron"). Start planning now for your Library's
participation in One Book, One Province. March 2020 will be here before
you know it!
SLA Conference 2020
The Saskatchewan Libraries Conference will take place in Regina on May 7 and 8, 2020 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre. The theme of the conference is Libraries: Building the Future.
Stay tuned for the call for proposals!
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Happy Saskatchewan Library Week from the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan
The Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan has expressed their appreciation for libraries'
support in building understanding and awareness about dementia in communities.
Saskatchewan joins Canada's Literary Trail with Bookmarks for Gregory Scofield's Poem
"The Sewing Circle"
In connection with the 175th anniversary of the birth of Louis Riel, Project Bookmark Canada is installing plaques or Bookmarks at Batoche National Historic Site in Saskatchewan on November 16, Louis Riel Day, the day when Métis honour Riel and Métis veterans.
The Bookmarks (one in French and one in English) will be for Gregory Scofield's poem "The Sewing Circle" from his collection Louis: the Heretic Poems. The poem is narrated by an older woman to her fellow mothers and wives on May 12, 1885, the last day of the Resistance in Batoche. All of the women instrumental with the Resistance are named; all the families are from Batoche.
Toronto Public Library Room Booking
The Toronto Public Library's recent decision on a room booking to a controversial speaker has stimulated lively discussion. Check out some of the coverage and position statements below:
Connecting Families Initiative
The Government of Canada's Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) has seen nearly 30,000
families connected to $10 internet, and the same amount of refurbished desktop computers delivered.
During its inaugural year, the CFI sent 360,000 letters to eligible low-income families inviting them to sign up, and an additional 162,000 letters were distributed in September 2019. It is anticipated that many of these new families do not currently have access to a computer or the Internet, and will likely visit public libraries for help in signing up through the online portal.
Computers for Success Canada has prepared a step by step guide for these instances, which will help staff and volunteers walk through the online portal with a family and help to answer questions that may arise in the process. Libraries may choose to give pamphlets to staff.
In Memory of Luella Newman
The library community is saddened to learn of the passing of Luella Newman. Luella was well known in the book world as a bookseller, librarian and volunteer.
We send our sincere condolences to her husband John Murray and her daughter Brenna.
A full obituary is available
here
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2019 Governor General's Literary Awards
The Canada Council for the Arts has announced the winners for the 2019 Governor General's Literary Awards.
Click here to learn more.
Regina Public Library Issues RFP for Renewal of
Central Library Study
Regina Public Library (RPL) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking to identify an owner's representative to provide research, analysis, and recommendations for a renewed Central Library.
Newsletters from other cultural organizations
Check out the latest newsletters from the following organizations:
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Saskatchewan Library Association
15-2010 7th Ave.
Regina, SK S4R 1C2
Phone: 306-780-9413 or 306-780-9409
Fax: 306-780-9447
SLA reserves the right to change or edit any submission or to refuse publication in its entirety.
The deadline for receipt of submissions for SLAte is the 25th of each month.
Everyone, Including Culture, Wins When You Buy Lottery Tickets
The core funding that SLA receives through SaskCulture is part of the Lottery Trust where a percentage of every lottery ticket sold goes to support sport, culture and recreation groups within Saskatchewan. It appears that recent lottery sales are not meeting expectations, which will not have an immediate effect on SLA. However we encourage you to remind audiences and arts council members that buying lottery tickets benefits the entire community. Saskatchewan Lotteries has also launched an app that you can download in the App Store or Google Play. More information is available on the Saskatchewan Lotteries website.
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Saskatchewan Library Association © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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