ISSN 2369-4939
Volume 8 Issue 4
April 1, 2022
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Greetings all!
As always, March is a busy time of the year at SLA. Normally we would have just held our two-day board meeting, but unfortunately, we were unable to do so. That did not stop us from having a productive and engaging meeting. Our next board meeting will be held in conjunction with the conference and it will be amazing to meet everyone in person.
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Planning is well underway for the Saskatchewan Libraries Conference and for the May 6th AGM being held at the conference. I hope to see you there. Registration is still open. We are excited for the amazing speakers, sessions and entertainment including key note speaker Tomson Highway and Mary Donaldson Memorial Lecture speaker Aaron Paquette. This will be our first in-person meeting and conference since 2019.
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Disappointing Budget for Saskatchewan Libraries
The 2022-23 Provincial Budget included no funding increase for Saskatchewan libraries. This is a disappointment as public libraries step up to take on increasing roles in the health and safety, economic well-being, lifelong learning, cultural awareness, and inclusion for all Saskatchewan residents. With contributions from the provincial government remaining stagnant, inflation rising, and real demand for services, libraries are in a difficult position. Public programming, branch operations, accessibility for patrons, infrastructure needs and much more may be impacted as library system leaders struggle with their financial realities.
This could have a larger impact on libraries in rural areas, since provincial funding makes up a larger share of regional library system budgets than it does for municipal library systems.
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Saskatchewan Libraries Conference 2022 News |
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Aaron Paquette
2022 Mary Donaldson Memorial Lecture
Lecture: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is the New World
This annual lecture, hosted by the Saskatchewan Library Association, is free of charge and open to the public. Please join us!
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Ballroom, Hotel Saskatchewan
Through story and experience, Aaron addresses the questions and challenges that organizations grapple with around Diversity and Inclusion. Aaron Paquette is one of Canadaʼs best-known First Nations Metis personalities. His bestselling book, Lightfinder, is taught across Canada in schools, colleges and universities. Aaron is also a talented artist and community leader who believes in the power of storytelling, the importance of literacy, and the value of libraries.
In reference to the impact of libraries on his life, Aaron says…. “I think it’s safe to say that my local library gave me a place of refuge, a place to grow and learn, and let me see that anything was possible - that I could actually have a place in this world. Without the library, it is quite possible I wouldn’t be here today.”
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Conference Program: Libraries Rise Above
The theme for the Saskatchewan Libraries Conference 2022 is “Libraries Rise Above”. This theme reflects the innovation, flexibility and resilience of libraries to meet their communities’ evolving needs. Libraries are a flexible, resilient, constantly evolving force that rise to meet community needs especially in the areas of life-long learning, innovation, social connection, and economic well-being of our province.
The 2022 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference will include Keynote Speaker, Tomson Highway, a featured session with presenter Dawn Martin of Daybreak Consulting titled Governance Basics in a Non-Profit
Organization and an exhibition of Youth on Reconciliation: Imagine a
Canada exhibit, part of the Legacy of Hope Foundation Exhibition.
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Delegate Registration for the 2022 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference
Registration is open for the 2022 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference, which will be held in Regina, May 4 - 6.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 25, 2022
Delegate Fees are: $350 (SLA member); $400 (non-member); $190 (student)
Day rate: $150.00
Session rate: $30.00
Registration information can be found here
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Book Accommodations By April 5th to Guarantee Reduced Rates
Book your room at the Hotel Saskatchewan, Autograph Collection by April 5th to guarantee the reduced delegate rate of $151 CAD per night.
Dates for reduced rates:
Start date: Tuesday, May 3, 2022
End date: Saturday, May 7, 2022
Last day to book for guaranteed rate: Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Rooms can also be reserved using this link:
or contact the Hotel Saskatchewan at (306) 522-7691 and mention that you are with the Saskatchewan Library Association Conference to ensure the reduced rate.
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Second Chance Lottery!
Remember! Bring your unredeemed Saskatchewan lottery tickets to the conference. Write your name, address and phone number on the tickets and enter them in the draw box at the registration desk. The prize will be brand new.... LOTTERY TICKETS! The draw will take place on May 6th at the Awards Luncheon. The draw is sponsored by the SLA Board of Directors.
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2022 SLA Annual General Meeting
The Saskatchewan Library Association 2022 AGM will take place during the Saskatchewan Libraries Conference on May 6, at 8:30 am in concurrence with the Saskatchewan Libraries Conference. It will take place in The Ballroom, Hotel Saskatchewan.
Please stay tuned for the agenda and other information.
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Get Involved with Your Saskatchewan Library Association!
SLA Seeking Board Members
SLA is recruiting for the following positions for the 2022-23 SLA Board of Directors:
- Treasurer (1-year term)
- Vice President of Engagement and Communications (2-year term)
As a board member, you have an opportunity to lead and influence the direction of the Association. You will become familiar with issues affecting libraries of all types and have a voice in broader issues related to libraries. As an organization, we work collectively to improve and support libraries through advocacy, communication, stakeholder engagement, professional development, and networking. You will gain experience that contributes to your professional portfolio as well as engage with colleagues on a personal level.
The time commitment involves 6 - 7 meetings a year (June Board changeover, August retreat, October, November, January, March, April/May), many of which are virtual. Board members chair and/or participate on the Association’s committees including Continuing Education, Advocacy and Development, Communications and Engagement.
The work accomplished by these and other committees benefit the Saskatchewan library community.
If you would like more information, please contact the SLA office who can refer you to a member of the Nominating Committee or one of the current Board members at https://saskla.ca/about/board.
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Expressions of Interest
The Saskatchewan Library Association is accepting Expressions of Interest for the following positions:
- Saskatchewan Libraries Conference Chair 2023
- Saskatchewan Book Awards Board of Directors - SLA Representative
For more information about these positions, please contact SLA Executive Director Dorothea Warren at slaexdir@sasktel.net
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Maureen Woods Education Bursary Recipient: Nicolle DeGagne |
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Nicolle DeGagne has been working in Saskatchewan libraries, both academic and special, since 2014. She is the Library Resource Facilitator for the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) in its Prince Albert location and is also pursuing her MLIS degree online through the University of Alberta, anticipating a 2023 graduation.
Nicolle believes libraries are essential to communities and works to facilitate both a cultural and educational environment for students and staff at GDI. Beading and knitting are just two of the lunch-hour programs she teaches that bring both staff and students to the library to learn and have fun. As a proud member of CUMFI Métis local in Saskatoon, she strives to keep her library’s collection reflective of prairie Métis experience.
Nicolle is a graduate of the Library and Information Technology Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and also holds a Bachelor of English degree from the University of Saskatchewan.
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Pierceland Library was incredibly creative in their Saskatchewan Library Week Programming last October. With the help of a Saskatchewan Library Week Grant from SLA, they took the theme "Saskatchewan Libraries Rise Above" to new heights with creative programming for both children and adults. This month's Saskatchewan Library Story was submitted by Pierceland Librarian Anita Kajner. We hope it will inspire others in their own library programming. |
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“Saskatchewan Libraries Rise Above” in Pierceland !
How do we rise above? Pierceland Library held two main programming events for the 2021 Saskatchewan Library Week. For the adults we built ladder stands and for the children we focused on balloons!
To "get over the obstacle" of lack of social events, the Pierceland library decided to make ladder plant stands! We approached the shop class at Pierceland Central School and they cut all our supplies to the dimensions we needed. We had people order the supplies and provide a small deposit and we received orders for twenty projects. We provided make-at-home kits with instructions for people who wanted to build the project on their own or in small groups at home. For those interested in having more of a social event, we rented the local arena lobby on Friday evening and made four ladder stands with some people coming in groups and some people coming solo for a fun evening out. The project was a huge success! The school even had students complete two ladder stands that were then sold (the attached picture is one that the students completed!). This was a fantastic community project led by the Pierceland Library.
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For the children in the community, we focused on balloons. We found three very different books about balloons. We were able to do virtual readings with the students in Pierceland Central school for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 2 &3 and an in person reading in Grade 1. I was able to find a book titled And Away They Went written by Saskatchewan authors Krista McDivitt and Michael Slobodian. The book tells a story about two friends that race around Saskatchewan trying to catch the one little boy’s balloon.
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One Book, One Province Saskatchewan 2022
The sixth annual One Book, One Province Saskatchewan (OBOP) finished up on March 31st and it was a very full month celebrating this year's selection, Arab Cooking on a Prairie Homestead by Habeeb Salloum. March was full with Syrian film showings, cooking events, panel discussions and author readings. Thanks go out to SLA's One Book, One Province Committee members for all the months of preparation and planning and to the libraries throughout the province that hosted events and promoted the book. Special thanks to guest authors Trevor Herriot, dee Hobsbawn-Smith and CJ Katz who gave both in-person and virtual readings from Arab Cooking on a Prairie Homestead. For information about the author, video links to cooking demonstrations, readings from the book and more, visit the SLA website. |
Saskatchewan Library Week 2022
The SLA Programming Committee met to discuss planning for Saskatchewan Library Week 2022 which will take place in October. We will be launching a contest in May to decide on this year's theme. Stay tuned!
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Update from Saskatchewan Library Trustees' Association
Read the latest news from the SLTA here.
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Changes Announced for the Partnership Job Board
On behalf of The Partnership, Canada’s national network of provincial and territorial library associations, BCLA is pleased to share that the Partnership Job Board now requires all job postings to include compensation information (either a precise amount or a salary range). This change is the result of reflection and listening, and is motivated by several factors.
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Call for Nominations - SaskCulture Board of Directors
Nominations are being accepted for the SaskCulture Board of Directors. The Nominations Committee will present a slate of candidates at the Annual General Meeting, which will take place Friday, June 17, 2022 (more details will follow at a later date). The deadline for applications is May 1st. Applications received after this date will be treated as a nomination from the floor.
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CFLA-FCAB Intellectual Freedom Challenges Survey
This is a reminder to report challenges to library materials or programs to the CFLA-FCAB Challenge Survey found here. Libraries are encouraged to enter unreported challenges from both earlier years and the present year.
The purpose of the survey is to gather data about the nature and outcomes of challenges to intellectual freedom initiated in publicly funded Canadian libraries (e.g., public, school, post-secondary, and government).
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MLA Scholarships
Deadline to apply for Manitoba Library Association scholarships is April 15, 2022.
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News from the Willow Awards
The deadline to submit votes for the Willow Awards has been extended to April 14th. This year’s winners will be announced at the Gala on June 1st.
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TD Summer Reading Club 2022 News
TD Summer Reading Club announces the return of the Sister Libraries program for 2022. In this program, participating libraries are matched with another library that has similar goals and resources.
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Technology Microgrant Program for Community Museums
The Government of Saskatchewan has launched a program to provide grants of up to $1000.00; it is available to Saskatchewan community museums to acquire and install the equipment needed for them to engage in activities that would contribute to their success and community wellbeing.
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Latest Newsletters and Programming from Libraries & Other Cultural Organizations |
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Saskatchewan Library Association
10-2010 7th Ave.
Regina, SK S4R 1C2
Phone: 306-780-9413 or 306-780-9409
Fax: 306-780-3633
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.
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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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The Saskatchewan Library Association gratefully acknowledges the support of our funding agencies. |
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