2026 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference: Libraries Open Doors: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference! We are thrilled to have you joining us for this incredible professional development and networking opportunity.

Registration Desk
Make sure you check in to the conference at our registration desk before heading off to any meals or sessions! Here you can pick up your name tag and ask any questions you might have. The registration desk will be open from 6:45 am to 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 30, and from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm on Friday, May 1.

Using the Sched App
Use this app to build your personalized conference schedule! You will find some things have already been added to your schedule (such as meals and key speakers), but everything else is up to you.

We also encourage you to turn on the "Public Profile & Schedule" option under the "My Account" tab. This will add you to the public attendee list, helping you to connect with other delegates and helping them connect with you. This is optional.

Conference Sponsors
SLA gratefully acknowledges our many event sponsors! Without their generous support, this conference would not be possible! We gratefully acknowledge all sponsors in the "Sponsors" Tab.

Exhibitors
Make sure to visit the Exhibitor Hall located in the Gallery B! The Exhibitor Hall will be open on Thursday, April 30, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, with the Exhibitor Social taking place from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Join us at the Social to visit with the exhibitors while enjoying appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks, and the chance to win great prizes!!

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8:15am CST

Exhibitor Lightning Rounds

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am CST

Capital B Room

Participating exhibitors are CUPE Saskatchewan...

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am CST
Capital B Room

20-Minute Sessions

8:30am CST

Exhibitor Hall is Open

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:30am - 4:00pm CST

Capital B Room

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:30am - 4:00pm CST
Capital B Room

20-Minute Sessions

10:30am CST

Nutrition Break

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am CST

Capital A Room

The morning nutrition break on April 30 is sponsored by the United Library Services (ULS)

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

12:00pm CST

AI for the Rural Librarian

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST

Prince Albert Room

Being a rural librarian, you are the one making things happen at your branch. With very limited hours, likely with little help from anyone, you have to come up with innovative programming. All kinds of great ideas out there but no one to actually create the program. Well, AI can assist you with this and it isn't a big learning curve. It is just a matter of trying it out. This session will help you feel more confident about trying out AI. No long-winded manuals to read. Just a practical way to get started.

Speakers

Julia Byrnes

Librarian, Lafleche Branch Library

Julia Byrnes trained as a computer hardware technician during the initial phase of desktop computers. After 18 years working in Vancouver and progressing to Network Analyst she left computing and went to work with dogs. Running her own training and dog daycare business for five years she found her... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST
Prince Albert Room

20-Minute Sessions

12:00pm CST

From Prompt to Prototype: Building Custom Library and Archives Tools with Generative AI (No Coding Required?!)

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST

Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

As library and archives workflows become increasingly digital and data-intensive, the gap between specialized needs and available budget or technical resources often widens. While "off-the-shelf" software provides general solutions, it does not always address the specific needs that staff (and users) may encounter on a day-to-day basis. This presentation demonstrates how Generative AI, specifically Google AI Studio, can bridge this gap, transforming staff from software consumers into citizen developers capable of creating specialized web apps on demand.

Attendees will learn a practical workflow for "coding with conversation" to translate an idea into a working prototype. The presentation will discuss what kind of projects are possible with Google AI Studio and demonstrate real-world web apps created with it, such as a LibGuides analysis dashboard, a PubMed query helper, an archival photo description app, a citation verification tool, and more, Ultimately, this presentation shows how AI can lower the barrier to entry for library staff looking to build their own solutions to local problems in real-time.

Speakers

Dale Storie

Associate Dean (Research), Dr. John Archer Library & Archives, University of Regina

Dale Storie is the Associate Dean (Research) at the Dr. John Archer Library and Archives, University of Regina, where his portfolio includes Archives, Data Services, Discovery Technologies, Copyright, and Scholarly Communication. His research interests center on the human aspects of informatio... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST
Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

20-Minute Sessions

12:00pm CST

Métis STEM/STEAM

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST

Qu'Appelle Room

Speakers

Tekeyla Friday

Community Services Librarian, Chinook Regional Library

Tekeyla Friday is Métis author, artist, storyteller and cultural educator. She has had nineteen years of experience in Library Services as the Children's Program Co-Ordinator for the Chinook Regional Library. She is currently taking a diploma course in Social Media Marketing through Sundance College... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST
Qu'Appelle Room

20-Minute Sessions

12:00pm CST

Opening Doors to Nutrition - How Libraries and Public Health Nutritionists Can Work Together to Strengthen Food Literacy in Communities

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST

Capital A Room

In early 2025, Public Health Nutrition reached out to Southeast Regional Library to learn more about food programming in libraries in the area. From this linkage both sides realized there was a great opportunity for partnership to connect the public to credible health information and increase food literacy in communities.

This session will cover what Public Health Nutritionists do and how they can support libraries. Libraries offer excellent spaces for accessing food programming, and with the help of Public Health Nutritionists, both current and non-library users can access reliable health information, even in rural areas.

Learning Outcomes--3 skills/ideas/concepts that participants will take away from the session:

1. Learn about the role of Public Health Nutrition in Saskatchewan
2. Learn how your local Public Health Nutritionist can support food literacy within your library’s programming and public information sharing
3. Learn how libraries can support health promotion initiatives in their communities

Speakers

Morgan Kelly

Community Services Manager, Southeast Regional Library

Morgan Kelly is the Community Services Manager for Southeast Regional Library and has been in this role since 2019. She coordinates programming and regional resource kits for Southeast's 46 branches, which includes working with several community organizations to build partnerships. Morgan has... Read More →

Dana Klapak

Public Health Nutritionist, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Networks SE 6-9

Dana Klapak, RD, CDE is the Public Health Nutritionist for Saskatchewan Health Authority Networks SE 6-9 and is based in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. She has been working as a Registered Dietitian for over 22 years and has been in her current position in the southeast since April 2024. Part of Dana's role... Read More →

Andrea Toogood

Public Health Nutritionist, Saskatchewan Health Authority

Andrea Toogood, RD is the Public Health Nutritionist for Saskatchewan Health Authority covering the Regina area. Andrea has worked with in various roles in urban and rural communities throughout Saskatchewan since becoming a Registered Dietitian in 2001. Her current focus is on promoting prenatal... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

12:30pm CST

Lunch & Exhibitor Hall Visits

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm CST

Capital A Room

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

2:30pm CST

Building Resilient Communities: Digital Literacy and Disaster Preparedness Through Library Services

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST

Prince Albert Room

Digital literacy is increasingly recognized as essential for enhancing community resilience in the face of disasters and climate change. As extreme weather events, technological disruptions, and environmental hazards intensify, individuals and communities must be able to access reliable information, interpret risk, and use digital tools to make informed preparedness and response decisions. Libraries, as trusted, inclusive, and community-centered institutions, are uniquely positioned to strengthen these capabilities. This presentation examines the evolving role of libraries in advancing digital literacy to support disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Speakers

Shela Hirani

Professor, University of Regina

Dr. Shela Hirani is a Professor at the University of Regina. She is a neonatal, maternal and child health expert, researcher, lactation consultant and an advocate of baby-friendly initiatives. Dr. Hirani has first-hand experience of working with the disaster affected and equity denied families within... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST
Prince Albert Room

20-Minute Sessions

2:30pm CST

Full Bellies & Full Minds: Advocating for Public Libraries With Free Food & Solidarity

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST

Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

Combat food insecurity, foster community and solidarity, and increase patronage in your library by starting a Little Free Pantry.

Speakers

Madilyn Hollingshead

Public Librarian, Esterhazy Branch Library

Madilyn Hollingshead is a public librarian, early childhood educator, and community activist from Esterhazy, Saskatchewan.

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST
Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

20-Minute Sessions

2:30pm CST

Sesquicentennial Stories – 150 Years of the Saskatchewan Legislative Library

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST

Capital A Room

The Saskatchewan Legislative Library’s roots can be traced back to 1876 when the seat of the Territorial Government moved from Manitoba to the area of present-day Saskatchewan. The first collection was established for the use of the officers of that government, and from these humble beginnings, its size and role has expanded. Join us for a fascinating look at the history of the Legislative Library and its continuing relevance to the democratic process and the people of Saskatchewan.

Speakers

Catherine Hana

Director of Support Services, Saskatchewan Legislative Library

Catherine Hana is the Director of Support Services at the Saskatchewan Legislative Library and an Instructor in the Library and Information Technology Program at Red River College Polytechnic. She has worked in special and academic libraries since 1995, first as a library technician, and since... Read More →

Shana Hay

Reference Librarian, Saskatchewan Legislative Library

Shana Hay is a Reference Librarian at the Saskatchewan Legislative Library. A Regina native, Shana worked at the Civic Museum of Regina while earning her bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Regina. After obtaining her MLIS in 2020, Shana worked as a media librarian for the... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

2:30pm CST

Welcoming Students: Building Community in the Library is More Than One-Shot

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST

Qu'Appelle Room

This presentation will describe a key pillar of the Archer Library and Archives’ strategy for building community with new undergraduate students. In 2023 a new team was formed to foster community and conversation with students by going beyond the traditional staffing a table during orientation week to creating a year-round plan to connect with students and make them feel welcomed by the library.

Speakers

Brad Doerksen

Student Success Librarian, University of Regina

Brad Doerksen is the Student Success Librarian at the University of Regina. This role includes a wide range of activities including support for undergraduate students and connecting the library to other student support units at the University of Regina.