Hello Everyone,

It is a busy time here at SPL, and probably at all public libraries in Saskatchewan, with the advent of the new Polaris integrated library system.  I will keep this short.

Your Board and the Staff are working hard on your behalf.  We have just finalized the 2015-2018 SLA Strategic Plan, which will be released to the world shortly.  We have approved former President, Robert Thomas', project to publish a second volume of Mary Donaldson Lectures.  We are seeking a new auditor for our books, digging into the plan to wind down the Mary Donaldson Trust, and cleaning up a bunch of background policy language.

We have approved two Continuing Education Grants. One grant will fund an archives workshop at Horizon College and Seminary Library at the end of October. The workshop is open to all SLA members, and I encourage you to consider taking part.

I am looking forward to the second annual Saskatchewan Libraries Happy Hour on November 5th.  We have plans in place to have parties in six different locations across the province that evening.  Take a moment to tell everyone in your workplace to save that date for some fellowship and fun.

Culture Days is starting up as I write this.  It will be over by the time you read my message.  I hope your experience with art, culture, and the sharing of creativity that is Culture Days in Saskatchewan was a great experience.

Respectfully submitted,
Gwen Schmidt
2014-2016 President

This article first appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of Canadian Children's Book News and is reprinted with the permission of the Canadian Children's Book Centre. 

Anita Brooks Kirkland served for 12 years as Consultant for K-12 Libraries at the Waterloo Region District School Board. She is an instructor in school librarianship for the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. She was the 2014 president of the Ontario Library Association. Her website is www.bythebrooks.ca

At the recently held [OLA Superconference], I made the argument that we can get hung-up on the money when it comes to learning commons spaces. But it is first about mindsets - we need to embrace new ways of learning and find ways for our space to reflect these changes and be the gathering places for all our learners.  The thinking around the learning commons is symbolizing the shifts we are seeing with learning throughout our schools.

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Interested in great rewards for your public library?
If your library offered the TD Summer Reading Club in 2015, be sure to submit your application for the Library Awards by November 2nd.
First prize is now $10,000!

The eligibility criteria and 2015 application form are on the website

By now, you should all have received your SLW materials-bookmarks and posters. We still have plenty of posters and bookmarks left, so if you would like more, please contact the SLA office.

There are many interesting activities happening throughout the province. For more information about the projects receiving SLA grants, please look here

Lastly, the Book Spine Poetry Contest has now begun.  Contest information and online entry form can be found here


As always, please contact the SLA office if you have questions or need assistance.