We are eagerly looking forward to seeing many of you at the Saskatchewan Libraries Conference in Saskatoon in just two days!

SLA is working toward reducing its paper waste and are using a conference app called Sched this year to replace a lengthy printed program. This app allows delegates to build their own custom conference schedule with the sessions they want to attend, view session descriptions, and learn about the speakers.

Here are the steps to access the Sched app:



1. Open the App Store (Apple devices) or the Google Play Store (Android devices) and search for Sched. Download the Sched app.
2. Open the Sched app. You may be prompted to create a free account if this is your first time using Sched. Go through the steps to create a free account.
3. Search for “2023 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference.” Click on our event when it pops up.
4. You’re in! Now you can create your own personalized conference learning experience.

SLA AGM Information

Please keep in mind that SLA's 2023 Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, May 5 from 8:15am to 9:15am at the Saskatoon Inn during the conference. SLA members do not have to be registered for the conference to attend.

Click here to learn more the AGM or view SLA's 2022-23 documents.

Summer Program Grant Deadline Almost Here!

SLA is offering 15 grants of up to $300 each for member libraries to offer summer programs for children and teens between July 1 and August 31, 2023.

The application deadline is May 5, 2023.

Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate commitment to a number of key areas, including literacy, diversity and inclusion, and creating community and social connections.

Click here to apply for a grant!

SLA Members Win Queen's

Platinum Jubilee Medal

Congratulations to Colleen Murphy and Cara Bradley, two of our members, on receiving the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal! Cara and Colleen were both nominated for their extensive work on SLA's volunteer committees.

Colleen has been Chair of the One Book One Province committee since the program began in 2017, and Cara has been a crucial part of several SLA committees, including the Conference Planning and Communications & Engagement Committees.

They received their medals during ceremonies at Government House in Regina on February 27 and 28, 2023.

Library Tech Students Looking to Help Solve Library Problems

Is your library looking for ways to improve services or processes? The Library and Information Technology Students at Saskatchewan Polytechnic can help! 

The Library and Information Technology program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic is now accepting partner applications for a Capstone Project course. This applied research course allows students and library partners to tackle practical problems by applying innovative knowledge and technology to create or improve products, services, and processes. 

Past capstone projects include:

• Research for a manual the outlines library sustainability practices
• Research for a manual that outlines how to deal with problematic children’s literature
• Research on the impact of regular inventory on collection management
• Research on how to start updating catalogues with Indigenous subject headings

The application deadline is September 15, 2023.

Click here to learn more or to apply!

Two Awards Currently Accepting Nominations

Do you know a person or organization in the library community who is committed to intellectual freedom or who has made outstanding contributions to literacy?

There are two awards currently accepting nominations for these areas:

1. CFLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee is seeking nominations for its Intellectual Freedom Award. This award recognizes Canadian libraries, individuals, or library-related organizations that have best upheld and defended the principle of intellectual freedom in 2022. The nomination deadline is May 15, 2023.
2. COFLA's is accepting nominations for its Federal Literacy Award (Saskatchewan). This award will recognize a Saskatchewan non-profit organization that has made significant contribution to literacy in the community, including the use of home and/or heritage languages in Saskatchewan. The nomination deadline is May 25, 2023.

Click here to learn more about CFLA's Intellectual Freedom Award.

Click here to learn more about COFLA's Federal Literacy Award (Saskatchewan).

• May 3-5 - Saskatchewan Libraries Conference
• May 4 - Saskatchewan Book Awards Gala
• May 5 - SLA Annual General Meeting
• May 5 - Summer Program grant application deadline

Greetings all! 

I can't believe the amount of work that Tina, Mary Lou and Lynn have been pumping out over the last month (and before, of course). I feel like this is by far the busiest time for SLA, but you would never know it when you are chatting with folks in the office.  

I am looking forward to seeing you at the conference next week. And I can't believe that it is already here. I hope that if you are attending the conference, or if you are a member in or around Saskatoon, that you will join us at the AGM on May 5. We will be presenting our strategic plan for your information and feedback.

The Saskatchewan Book Awards ceremony on May 4 is going to be an amazing event. I am excited to connect with so many amazing authors from Saskatchewan and I hope to see you there.

Although this is my last AGM and conference as SLA President, I am looking forward to volunteering in other ways next year. It has been my honour being your President. I would like to express my appreciation for your trust and support over the last four years.  

Happy spring and see you soon!

Regards,

Amy Rankin

SLA President

Stronger Together Conference Seeking Presenter Proposals

The Stronger Together planning committee is currently seeking innovative and industry-leading proposals for in-person and virtual sessions as well as asynchronous poster presentations. Our target audiences are library trustees, library managers, and general library staff.

The preferred topics are:

• Leadership
• Programming
• Advocacy
• Customer Service
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Library Technology
• Collection Development
• Board Development

The application deadline is June 1, 2023. We are open to a variety of topics and themes; if your topic does not neatly fit into the above categories, we still welcome your proposal. If you have any questions before submitting your proposal, please email librariesarestrongertogether@gmail.com.

Click here to learn more and to submit your proposal!

CFLA News and Updates

Cataloguing Code of Ethics Survey

You are invited to participate in a Canada-wide survey of library and information professionals regarding the Cataloguing Code of Ethics. The survey is open to all those in the library and information sector in Canada, regardless of level of education, job title, or affiliation. To participate in this survey, please click here.

Click here to view the Cataloguing Code of Ethics.

Call for Responses to Digital Literacy Training

Researchers from McMaster University, Ontario Tech University and the University at Buffalo are conducting a study on digital literacy training initiatives for the general public led by public libraries. CULC and CFLA are two of the partner organizations on this SSHRC-funded project. 

Library administrators are asked to fill out this 30-minute survey here. Instructors are asked to fill out this 30-minute survey here.

Click here to learn more about the survey.

CFLA Spring 2023 Update

CFLA has released its Spring 2023 update for members. Click here to read the full update.

CFLA Copyright Committee Update

At the April 2023 meeting, the CFLA Copyright Committee discussed the following:

1. Crown Copyright Working Group is drafting a document on a Crown Copyright Code of Best Practices. This project includes outside stakeholders from libraries and government as well as members from the CFLA Copyright Committee.
2. CDL Working Group has developed talking points regarding the recent Hachette v. Internet Archive decision in the USA. These points explain the basics of the case and timelines as well as encouraging Canadian libraries to continue their work on controlled digital lending projects and to apply their own risk assessments based on Canadian law and not US law.
3. AI Working Group continues to analyze Internet of Things submissions to understand positions and to facilitate outreach for advocacy as well as considering the potential impact of AI on authorship and the ethics of authorship.
4. Accessibility Working Group obtained feedback on their draft on Reasonable Search from stakeholders, including publishers and organizations that create accessible works. The draft will be modified based on the feedback received.
5. Joint Taskforce on eBook Availability received feedback from publishers regarding the Taskforce's submission on ebook licensing and pricing to the Ontario Review of the Consumer Protection Act. Members of the Taskforce will be meeting with Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. They are also increasing advocacy efforts and developing a new communications plan. Finally, listen here for an interview on CBC with Edmonton Public Library about library ebook pricing and availability.

Copyright Committee updates submitted by Christina Winter.

Saskatchewan Library Association

12 - 2010 7th Avenue

Regina, SK  S4R 1C2

Phone: 306-780-3633

Email: info@saskla.ca

Web: saskla.ca 

Have something you want to see in SLAte? Send us a submission! The deadline for SLAte submissions is the 25th of each month, and submissions must be emailed to lpenner@saskla.ca. SLA reserves the right to change or edit any submission, or to refuse publication in its entirety.

SLAte is an open-access publication under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY-NC-ND copyright license, excluding all logos and other material where indicated. 

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.

The Saskatchewan Library Association gratefully acknowledges the support

of our funding agencies.