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The 2026 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference: Libraries Open Doors, will take place from April 30 to May 1, 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre in Regina, SK.
In anticipation of this exciting event, we are thrilled to announce the following speakers:
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Keynote Speaker:
Carol Radford-Grant, Provincial Archivist of Saskatchewan
Thursday, April 30 at 9:30am
Carol Radford-Grant has been the Provincial Archivist of Saskatchewan since September 2021. She leads a team that preserves and provides access to the province’s historical records of the government, as well as individuals, organizations, businesses and associations. In addition, the Archives also provides expertise and advice to government about information management, policy standards and effective record keeping practices in the public sector.
Before joining the Provincial Archives, Radford-Grant worked as a leader in the archives field for over 20 years in Toronto in various organizations, including the City of Toronto, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the Archives of Ontario, and the Ontario College of Teachers.
Carol holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy and a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from Western University, an Archives Technician Diploma from Algonquin College, and a Masters in Information Studies from the University of Toronto.
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Mary Donaldson Lecturer:
Danny Ramadan, writer and LGBTQ+ refugees’ advocate
Thursday, April 30 at 7:30pm
Danny Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ+ refugees’ advocate. His memoir, Crooked Teeth, received raving reviews and was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for Non-Fiction. His latest novel, The Foghorn Echoes, won the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction and was nominated for both the BC & Yukon Book Prizes and the City of Vancouver Book Award. His debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, won the Independent Publisher Book Award, was longlisted for Canada Reads, and has been translated into multiple languages.
Ramadan is also the author of the award-winning Salma children’s series, which has received the Nautilus Book Award, the Publishing Triangle Award, the Middle East Book Award, and numerous other accolades.
Since arriving in Canada, he has raised over $300,000 to support LGBTQ+ refugees, securing safe passage for more than two dozen queer and trans individuals. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Adler University.
He lives in Vancouver with his husband and two dogs — and when he’s not writing, he’s probably playing video games.
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SLA is pleased to open the 2026 conference with a dessert reception, hosted by SILS. The reception will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 7:30-9:00 p.m. A cash bar will be available.
This informal event will cap your day of travel, gear you up for conference, and celebrate the collaboration between staff and member libraries that have made the SILS Consortium such a successful partnership for 16 years!
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Conference Early Bird Registration opens on January 5, 2026 and closes on March 13, 2026.
To learn more or register, please use the link below.
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Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available
Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities are now available for the 2026 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference. Early Bird Registration opens January 5, 2026.
For more information, including rates and speakers, please download the 2026 prospectus using the link below.
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Conference Volunteer Opportunities Available
Are you looking for a great opportunity to give back to your library community? We'd love to have your help! Please consider volunteering at the conference, and keep an eye out for the official call to volunteer.
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One Book One Province 2026
The Saskatchewan Library Association's One Book One Province program offers Saskatchewan residents an opportunity to find points of connection through a book. We aim to create an experience that supports literacy, encourages reading culture, celebrates libraries and literacy organizations, and builds community engagement through shared experience.
The 2026 One Book One Province title is Towards a Prairie Atonement by Trevor Herriot. The program will see libraries, book clubs, and individuals all across Saskatchewan join together in April 2026 to read this book and share discussions about the story.
For more details including title information, author biography, dates, and locations, please visit us online using the link below.
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Get in the Game for Literacy Success Contest!
Setting aside a little time each day to read or learn benefits everyone—it builds vocabulary, confidence, and a love of learning, plus it gives you the chance to win some great prizes!
In celebration of Family Literacy Day, SLA, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation, is excited to host the Get in the Game for Literacy Success Contest.
How to Enter:
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Show off your love of reading to win! Have a family member or loved one snap a photo of you enjoying some reading time at your favourite library while wearing Roughrider green!
- Upload your photo for a chance to win one of two Saskatchewan Roughrider Family Prize Packs or one of three Indigo eGift Cards.
Prize winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. This contest runs from January 26 -30, 2026. For more information or to enter, please use the link below.
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SLA Seeks New Members for the Intellectual Freedom Sub-Committee!
SLA's Advocacy Committee invites members to join their soon to be formed “Intellectual Freedom Sub-Committee”.
The Intellectual Freedom Sub-Committee will work to support the right to intellectual freedom and access to information as a core value in the library community. This may include learning and development opportunities, as well as keeping the SLA community apprised of intellectual freedom resources, news, and other relevant information.
For more information, please submit an expression of interest to SLA Advocacy Committee Chair, Morgan Kelly at mkelly@southeastlibrary.ca.
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Last Call: Honourary Life Member Award Nominations
Do you know someone who deserves to be celebrated for their valuable work within Saskatchewan libraries?
The Honourary Life Member Award recognizes individuals who have had an active role in SLA and have made a substantial and longstanding contribution to library services in Saskatchewan. The recipient of this award receives a free, life-long membership in SLA.
Nominations for the Honourary Life Member Award are now open and close on February 1, 2026.
To learn more or to make a nomination, please visit the link below.
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Last Call: Nominations for the Frances Morrison Award
The SLA Frances Morrison Award is an award of merit for outstanding service to libraries given in the name of one of Saskatchewan’s exceptional librarians. This award is open to individuals, institutions or groups, and is not restricted to professional librarians or SLA members.
Nominations for the Frances Morrison Award are now open and close on February 1, 2026.
To learn more or make a nomination, please visit the link below.
| | Photo: Frances Morrison, February 1981., B. Weston (Saskatchewan Archives Board) PS80-2962-07 | | |
SLA Member Forum Live Event!
Join the SLA on Monday, January 5th! Members are encouraged to login throughout the day to discuss the question, “Which of your library displays was a surprise success?“
Please use the links below to take part or get help navigating to the Member Forums!
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Mary Donaldson Award of Merit Nominations Opening Soon!
Mary Donaldson was Saskatchewan’s first Provincial Librarian and one of Canada's most highly respected librarians. In 1977, The Mary Donaldson Award was established to honour her memory and provide a $1,200 award to a full-time or part-time Saskatchewan student enrolled in a library and information technician program.
Applications for the Mary Donaldson Award of Merit opens on January 15, 2026 and close on March 1, 2026. To learn more or apply online, please visit the link below.
Learn Mo
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Family Literacy Day 2026 Recipients
Family Literacy Day is recognized nationally each year on January 27 to raise awareness about the importance of reading and family literacy.
Each year, the Saskatchewan Library Association offers grants to libraries to put on Family Literacy Day programs. These $200 grants are available to SLA’s individual or institutional members to support them as they celebrate and promote Family Literacy Day. The 2026 theme for Family Literacy Day is “Make mealtime family learning time.”
Congratulations to the 2026 Family Literacy Day Grant Recipients listed below! These fourteen Saskatchewan libraries will be putting on diverse family-oriented programming, such as a family baking class, placemat decorating, Together at the Table online challenge, food-themed scavenger hunt, family pizza night, family cooking class, bedtime snack preparation, family pancake storytime, food-themed bookmark crafting, Foodie Family Fun Day, Kids' and Parents' Cooking Class, edible crafting family fun day, and a Ukrainian cooking experience featuring cheburecki.
- Alameda Public Library Branch
- Alex Robertson Public Library
- Annaheim Public Library
- Candle Lake Public Library
- Kennedy Public Library Branch
- Lumsden Public Library Branch
- Midale Public Library Branch
- Moosomin Public Library Branch
- Nipawin Public Library
- Osler Branch Library
- Oxbow Public Library Branch
- Porcupine Plain Public Library
- Reid-Thompson Public Library
- Wawota Public Library Branch
To learn more or take part in Family Literacy Day events, please visit us online using the link below.
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Continuing Education Grants Available
The Saskatchewan Library Association strives to provide and support relevant educational opportunities for its members who serve the Saskatchewan library sector. Opening this month, we are happy to offer three categories of continuing education grants as follows:
Individual Member Continuing Education Grant
A grant of up to $500 will be awarded to an individual attending any continuing education opportunity (e.g. conference, workshop, etc.) You must be an Individual member of SLA to apply.
Organizational Continuing Education Grant
A grant of up to $1,000 given to an individual or institution for the organization and promotion of a continuing education opportunity (e.g. conference, workshop, etc.). You must be an individual or institutional member of SLA to apply.
Conference Attendance Continuing Education Grant
A grant of up to $750 to an individual for first-time attendance at the Saskatchewan Libraries Conference. You must be an individual or institutional member of SLA to apply.
Applications are now open for all grants and close on February 15, 2026. For more information on continuing Education grants, please click the link below.
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Do you know that all members receive a 10% discount from Carr McLean?
Proudly Canadian owned and operated, Carr McLean has been sourcing and supplying Library and Archival products to Customers across Canada for more than 50 years.
Use the 2026 SLA discount code, from our private members page, at checkout.
Please use the links below to start shopping or become a member today!
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• January 1 - Continuing Education Grants Open!
• January 5 - SK Libraries Conference Early Bird Registration Opens!
• January 15 - Mary Donaldson Award of Merit Nominations Open
• January 16 - TD Summer Reading Club Order Deadline
• January 26 - Get in the Game Contest Opens!
• January 27 - Family Literacy Day
• February 1 - Honourary Life Member Award Nominations Close
• February 1 - Frances Morrison Award Nominations Close
• February 15 - Continuing Education Grants Close
• March 13 - SK Libraries Conference Early Bird Registration Closes
• April 1 - One Book One Province In-Person Events Begin
• April 30- June 1 - SLA Saskatchewan Libraries Conference
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Hello, everyone,
Happy New Year! The start of each year is a time for optimism and fresh starts, a time for New Year’s resolutions (although, whatever mine were, I’m sure I’ve already forgotten them), and, of course, a time for family literacy!
Yes, January 27 of each year is Family Literacy Day, and this year’s theme is Make Mealtime Family Learning Time. SLA has distributed programming grants to fourteen public libraries across Saskatchewan for this year’s Family Literacy Day, so if you’ll be near one of those libraries that day, be sure to bring along your littlest relatives and join in on the fun!
And if one of your resolutions for the coming year is to practice your multitasking, make a note to wear green that day when you’re visiting the library; January also sees the return of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation Get in the Game for Literary Success Contest, running January 26 through 30, concurrent with Family Literacy Day. Snap a photo of yourself and your family members reading while wearing Roughrider green, then upload your photo through our entry form for the opportunity to win one of two Saskatchewan Roughrider Family Prize Packs, or one of three Indigo e-gift cards.
All that and it’s only just January! 2026 is shaping up to be another big year for the Saskatchewan Library Association; I’m looking forward to what we’ll accomplish together over this year to come, and I hope that you are too!
Until next time,
James Hope Howard
SLA President
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The TD Summer Reading Club is now accepting orders for their 2026 program materials. Here’s how to register and order free materials for your library:
1. Consult the memo for important program information, material details and key dates for the 2026 program.
2. Log in to your account or create an account if that has not already been done.
3. Review the library/libraries linked to your account to ensure all information is accurate.
4. Confirm that the Terms of Agreement have been reviewed and approved by the signing authority for your library. This step completes the registration process.
5. Place your order(s). Please refer to the User Guide or the video presentation for step-by-step instructions.
Libraries have until January 16, 2026, to submit an order. For questions about the registration and ordering process, please reach out to clubtd-tdclub@bac-lac.gc.ca.
For details on how to join the club, please use the link below.
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Feedback Needed for Directory of Nationwide Local News Outlets
A research team is developing a methodology for building a directory of local news outlets across Canada and is looking for about an hour of your time.
The project is funded by the Government of Canada, and the goal is to create a public directory that will allow residents in every municipality across Canada to find original, timely, verified local news that is produced independently of special interests.
The research team is going into an early testing phase and needs to verify lists of local news outlets. They're asking for your help because they recognize the critical roles you play as local information experts in your communities.
Please use the link below to learn more, or contact project manager, Christine Crowther at christinecrowther@cunet.carleton.ca if you are interested in participating.
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SLAte Submissions
Have something you want to see in SLAte? Send us a submission! The deadline for SLAte submissions is the 20th of each month, and submissions must be emailed to Yasmin Dar at YDar@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.
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