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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7:30am CST

Breakfast

Friday May 1, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am CST

Capital A Room

Friday May 1, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

7:30am CST

Breakfast & AGM Information

Friday May 1, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am CST

Capital A Room

Friday May 1, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am CST
Capital A Room

Meal

7:30am CST

Registration Desk Opens

Friday May 1, 2026 7:30am - 3:00pm CST

Capital A Room

Friday May 1, 2026 7:30am - 3:00pm CST
Capital A Room

Registration Desk Hours

8:15am CST

SLA Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Friday May 1, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CST

Capital A Room

Friday May 1, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CST
Capital A Room

Special Event

9:30am CST

AI Futures: A Three-Day Event on Creativity, Academia, and Society

Friday May 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CST

Capital A Room

The University of Regina Library developed a three-day event on artificial intelligence (AI) designed to explore the rapidly evolving impact of AI and Machine Learning (ML) across creative practice, academic work, and society. As interest in AI continues to increase among faculty, researchers, instructors, students, and the broader community, the University of Regina was well-positioned to host a collaborative, discussion-rich event that brings these conversations together. AI Futures highlighted emerging initiatives, fostered cross-campus and community partnerships, and supported informed, ethical, and imaginative engagement with AI technologies.

This session will look at the development, organization, and outcomes of this three-day event on AI.

Speakers

Christina Hwang

Associate Dean (Academic), University of Regina

Christina Hwang is Associate Dean (Academic) at the University of Regina’s Dr. John Archer Library and Archives, supporting academic initiatives that advance teaching, learning, and research, with a focus on innovation and AI-enabled discovery.

Gillian van der Ven

Academic Librarian, University of Regina

Gillian van der Ven is an Academic Librarian at the University of Regina and serves the Faculty of Education, Music, and Creative Technology.

Michael Shires

Community Engagement & Communications Librarian, University of Regina

Michael Shires is the Community Engagement & Communications Librarian at the University of Regina. He has subject liaison responsibilities, oversees Special Collections and collaborates with University and community partners on and off to provide programs that help support teaching, learning, an... Read More →

Robert Thomas

Librarian, University of Regina

Robert Thomas is a librarian at the University of Regina where he supports departments in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Friday May 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CST
Capital A Room

50-Minute Sessions

9:30am CST

From Crisis to Confidence: Working Together for Safer, Welcoming Libraries

Friday May 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CST

Prince Albert Room

In spring 2025, escalating safety and security concerns forced the temporary closure of two library branches [in Saskatoon]—an extraordinary decision that tested the resilience of staff, leadership, and community. Out of this crisis came persistence and collaboration: the creation of Working Together, a training program developed in consultation with both library staff and contract guards. The program was designed to improve communication, clarify roles, and strengthen safety practices while preserving the library’s commitment to openness and community.

Speakers

Beth Côté

Director, Public Services, Saskatoon Public Library

Beth Côté has been employed at Saskatoon Public Library since 2010. She holds a Master of Library and Information Services degree. Since 2016 she has led SPL’s largest work unit as Director, Public Services, and most recently served as SPL’s Interim Director of Libraries & CEO through most... Read More →

Brad Bird

Director, Reconciliation, Saskatoon Public Library

Brad Bird began his career working with non-profit organizations in the Saskatoon and Friendship Centres around the province. Passionate about helping create space for Indigenous people and supporting residential school survivors, Brad has had the opportunity to contribute to a lot of great initiati... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CST
Prince Albert Room

50-Minute Sessions

9:30am CST

New Program: Now What?

Friday May 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CST

Qu'Appelle Room

With the limitations on international students, universities and colleges are developing new degree programs to attract more domestic students. How do you evaluate your library's collection when a new academic program is being developed? How do you know if you have the appropriate resources to support the new curriculum? Possible evaluation ideas and strategies are discussed.

Speakers

Sarah Van Sickle

Resource Management Librarian, Yorkville University

Sarah Van Sickle is the Resource Management Librarian at Yorkville University in Vaughan, Ontario. She previously held roles with the federal government and in law libraries. She graduated from her MLIS from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CST
Qu'Appelle Room

50-Minute Sessions

9:30am CST

All* Technology is Assistive (But Not Always Accessible)

Friday May 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CST

Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

Assistive Technologies are commonly viewed as specific, often specialized devices used to aid those certain marginalized groups. But in reality, most assistive technology is quite mundane, and specific “assistive” devices can even be barriers to access. In this presentation, we’ll explore how technology is actually used by marginalized people, how our assumptions prevent access, and how libraries can be integral to providing accessibility for all.

Speakers

John (Jock) Buckmaster

Chinook Arch Regional Library System

Jock is a multiply disabled activist and IT person. They have a particular interest in helping small libraries do big things, and making sure marginalized people have the same access as everyone else, regardless of where they live.

Friday May 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CST
Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

50-Minute Sessions

10:30am CST

Nutrition Break

Friday May 1, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am CST

Capital A Room

The Nutrition Break on May 1 is sponsored by the University of Saskatchewan's University Library.

Friday May 1, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

11:00am CST

Cross-departmental Teams: They Can Work!

Friday May 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CST

Qu'Appelle Room

This session will demonstrate how to effectively build and operate a cross-departmental team. The Borrower and Information Services (BandIS) team at SPL will be used as an example. This team is comprised of a unique variety of staff members from different departments, across the multi-branch system. Makeup of the group and how the work is conducted, particularly focusing on communication, will be discussed. By sharing our experiences with system-wide projects and how consultations are managed, we will show how to apply these lessons to other institutions planning for cross-departmental team development.

Speakers

Stephanie Kurmey

Senior Manager, Saskatoon Public Library

Stephanie Kurmey is currently the Senior Manager, Borrower and Information Services at Saskatoon Public Library.

Nicole Bergen

Welcoming Initiatives Librarian, Saskatoon Public Library

Nicole Bergen is currently a Welcoming Initiatives Librarian at the Saskatoon Public Library.

Friday May 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CST
Qu'Appelle Room

50-Minute Sessions

11:00am CST

Curating Connection: Libraries and Archives as Spaces for Collaboration and Belonging

Friday May 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CST

Capital A Room

This presentation explores how exhibitions and events—curated, collaborative, and interdisciplinary—can strengthen the role of libraries and archives as catalysts for engagement, creativity, and learning.

Drawing on examples from recent initiatives at the Dr. John Archer Library & Archives, this session will highlight how it has used exhibition spaces, art installations, public talks, and themed events to showcase faculty and student research, celebrate community voices, and foster partnerships beyond traditional information services.

Participants will gain insights into planning, promotion, and assessment that align exhibitions and events with institutional priorities such as community engagement, experiential learning, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. By reframing libraries and archives as places of encounter and shared storytelling, academic librarians and archivists can strengthen relationships across campus and create lasting connections with the wider community.

This session encourages attendees to view exhibitions and events not as supplementary activities, but as integral expressions of the academic library and archives' mission to connect, inspire, and transform.

Speakers

Crista Bradley

University Records & Information Management Archivist, Adjunct Professor in History, University of Regina

Crista Bradley, MA (Archival Studies), is the University Records & Information Management Archivist and an Adjunct Professor in History at the University of Regina. She oversees the Archives’ outreach, instruction and records management programs and collection development for university records. Her research interests relate... Read More →

Gillian van der Ven

Academic Librarian, University of Regina

Gillian van der Ven is an Academic Librarian at the University of Regina and serves the Faculty of Education, Music, and Creative Technology.

Michael Shires

Community Engagement & Communications Librarian, University of Regina

Friday May 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CST
Capital A Room

50-Minute Sessions

11:00am CST

Re-Mapping Welcome: Implementing the Brian Deer Classification System to Transform Library Spaces

Friday May 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CST

Prince Albert Room

This presentation will share how our library is adopting and adapting the Brian Deer Classification system as a central strategy for creating a more welcoming and culturally responsive environment. Traditional classification systems often reinforce colonial worldviews, obscuring Indigenous knowledge and placing it at the margins. By contrast, the Brian Deer system, developed by the late Kahnawake librarian Brian Deer, organizes materials according to Indigenous perspectives, cultural relationships, and community priorities.

Our session will highlight the motivations behind our transition, including feedback from local First Nations Elders and the goal of making our collections easier to navigate and more reflective of the communities we serve. We will describe the development process of our Brian Deer variation, the consultation process and a progress report as to where we are in the implementation phase.

Speakers

Kathy Gaynor

Librarian, Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC)

Kathy Gaynor is a first-generation immigrant who came to Canada when she was 12. For the last 30 years, Kathy has worked in post-secondary and public libraries and is now working for the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre. She has a holistic view of library work having served as a library p... Read More →

Darlene Brander

President, Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC)

Darlene Brander is the President of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC), an organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and promoting the languages and cultures of the eight First Nations language groups of Saskatchewan: Plains Cree, Swampy Cree, Woodland Cree, Dene, Saulteaux... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CST
Prince Albert Room

50-Minute Sessions

11:00am CST

GOVERNANCE TRAINING: Government Relations & Advocacy

Friday May 1, 2026 11:00am - 12:20pm CST

Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

Lobbying – what it is, what it isn’t, and how to get your message across to government leaders;
Developing shared messaging for maximum success; and
Forming relationships regardless of political party.

Speakers

Sarah Wright

Account Director, Earnscliffe Strategies

Sarah is an accomplished government affairs and communications strategist, as well as an advocate with nearly two decades of experience supporting organizations, elected officials and communities through high‑impact communication initiatives.

Before joining Earnscliffe, S... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 11:00am - 12:20pm CST
Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

Governance Training Sessions

12:00pm CST

Meet for Lunch at the Library!

Friday May 1, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST

Prince Albert Room

Discover how lunch at the library each week has become a beloved weekly program. Alongside local partnerships and co-hosts this 1-hour lunch provides:

Community connection: Co-hosts promote initiatives and programming. Participants learn ways to engage and build supportive connections removing barriers;
Resource Awareness: Participants gain knowledge of local resources;
Personal reflection and voice: Participants have time and space to be seen and heard ideas considered, perspectives and experiences valued.

Learn how you can create a similar program at your library!

Speakers

Cheryl Sikora

Director, Lloydminster Public Library

Cheryl Sikora is the Director of Lloydminster Public Library. She loves Jane Austen, her dog, wine, and warm blankets. She is passionate about children’s programming and creating community connections. She’s proud to say she has never shhhhed anyone is in a library.
... Read More →

Kirsten Hnatow

Assistant Director, Lloydminster Public Library

Kirsten Hnatow is the Assistant Director of the Lloydminster Public Library. Huge fan of libraries and promoting the vital role they have in connecting community. She brings curiosity, creativity, and vision to her work, ensuring the library remains a dynamic and welcoming space for all. When she’s... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST
Prince Albert Room

20-Minute Sessions

12:00pm CST

Supporting Safe Use of GenAI for Legal Information in Libraries

Friday May 1, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST

Qu'Appelle Room

The public is increasingly turning to generative AI (GenAI) tools for answers to legal questions. While these tools provide fast access to information, their use involves risks and can make it difficult to distinguish credible legal information from misinformation.

What role can libraries play? Learn how information professionals can support safer and more informed use of GenAI for legal information. Drawing on the Saskatchewan Access to Legal Information (SALI) initiative’s newest resource, the Using GenAI Tools to Obtain Legal Information guide, participants will learn practical strategies to help patrons navigate the use of GenAI tools to obtain legal information effectively.

Designed for library professionals in any type of library, this session offers practical tools to address emerging information literacy challenges in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Speakers

Alan Kilpatrick

Co-Director & Librarian, Legal Resources, Law Society of Saskatchewan

Alan Kilpatrick, BA, MLIS, is the Co-Director of the Law Society of Saskatchewan’s Legal Resources Department. He holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts from Vancouver Island University. Alan has served on... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST
Qu'Appelle Room

20-Minute Sessions

12:00pm CST

Where Library and Archival Metadata Meet: Finding Community in New Places

Friday May 1, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST

Capital A Room

In this session we will discuss how two Métis documents were captured in the University of Saskatchewan’s Archives and Special Collections’ archival finding aid and library catalogue. Taken as a case study, these two documents provide an opportunity to consider these search tools, how they were/are created, the functions they served in the past, and how they can be improved in the present. They also provide an example of how directly interacting with materials can clarify and improve metadata, making collections accessible to Indigenous communities.

Speakers

Alycia Bockus-Vanin

Library Assistant, University of Saskatchewan's Archives & Special Collections

Alycia Bockus-Vanin (she/her) is a Library Assistant at the University of Saskatchewan's Archives and Special Collections. She has a background in museums, libraries and archival work and recently completed her Master of Library and Information Studies. She is interested in improving connections between... Read More →

Sadie Anderson

Indigenous Archivist, University of Saskatchewan's Archives & Special Collections

Sadie Anderson (Bellegarde), (she/her) is a status member of the Peepeekisis Cree Nation and the Indigenous Archivist for the University of Saskatchewan's Archives and Special Collections. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and is currently working towards her Master of Library and Information Science... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 12:00pm - 12:20pm CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

12:30pm CST

SLA Awards Lunch & SaskPolytechnic Students' Presentation

Friday May 1, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm CST

Capital A Room

Presentation of SLA Awards
SaskPolytechnic Students' Presentation

Friday May 1, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

1:40pm CST

Tanisi! Come and Talk About Indigenous Library Services

Friday May 1, 2026 1:40pm - 1:55pm CST

Qu'Appelle Room

Tanisi! Come and talk with Samara Jackson around Indigenous Library Services. We will talk about new resources available through the Indigenous Language Collection, the Indigenous Language Kits projects in Michif and resources available on the PLLO LibGuide! This is a space to come and ask the questions around Indigenous Library Services that you won't be able to ask anywhere else.

Speakers

Samara Jackson

Indigenous Library Services Coordinator, Ministry of Education

Samara Jackson nitisiyihkāson. ninēhiyaw-ayisiyinīwin. Oskana kā-asastēki ochi niya. Nikakwē-nēhiyawān. As a member of Cowessess First Nation, I have always felt the need to share my knowledge and experience as I grow with the people around me. As a former teacher, with a focus in art and... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 1:40pm - 1:55pm CST
Qu'Appelle Room

50-Minute Sessions

1:40pm CST

Assistive Technology for the Library

Friday May 1, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm CST

Prince Albert Room

Purchasing assistive technology for your library can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore a range of high and low tech assistive technology options designed to support patrons with a wide variety of disabilities. Through hands-on activities and guided discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to play, experiment, and learn how these tools can enhance access and inclusion in library spaces. Leave with practical insights, increased confidence in evaluating assistive technologies, and ideas you can apply right away to make your library more welcoming for everyone.

Speakers

Riane LaPaire

Braille Coordinator & Library Technician

Riane has been working in the alternate format and accessibility spaces since 2012. It was there (and by following Steve around the conference circuit) where she developed an excitement for assistive technology and the art of finding just-right hardware and software solutions. Whatever t... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm CST
Prince Albert Room

50-Minute Sessions

1:40pm CST

Office of the King’s Printer – Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Friday May 1, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm CST

Capital A Room

Presenters: Marilyn Lustig-McEwen, Shelley Fiesel, Sydney Lee

Friday May 1, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm CST
Capital A Room

50-Minute Sessions

1:40pm CST

GOVERNANCE TRAINING: Board/Executive Skills for Advocacy in Action

Friday May 1, 2026 1:40pm - 3:30pm CST

Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

Haley Bolen, Vice President at Praxis Consulting, will work with the group from a government relations and advocacy lens to:

Clarify Board/Executive roles and skillsets needed;
Workshop a collective aspiration for the province-wide public library system; and

Establish a short-term plan for next steps that keep the momentum going.

Speakers

Haley Bolen, MCM, BA

Vice President, Praxis Consulting

Haley is an interdisciplinary and dynamic problem solver with experience in collaborative, stakeholder-centric strategy building and implementation. She is focused on growth and impact outcomes.
Haley Bolen is a strategist with a commitment to working with organizations to navigate and thrive in complex environments. Haley brings over a decade as an experienced leader, and a reputation of excellence in the intersection of business strategy and social impact through leveraging... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 1:40pm - 3:30pm CST
Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

Governance Training Sessions

2:40pm CST

How Your Library Can Work With CBC/Radio-Canada to Bring Community Stories to Life

Friday May 1, 2026 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST

Capital A Room

CBC/Radio-Canada will present on Collab, which has funded library partnership programs since 2021. Collab offers a wide range of in-person activities to help libraries and CBC/Radio-Canada work in concert to connect with Canadians, building community, culture and conversation. People will learn about Radio-Canada’s “Tire-toi une bûche” project, Saskatchewan’s first Collab project that has taken place in various provincial libraries. The workshops give patrons the chance to tell and record their personal stories and anecdotes in their own way, with their own voice, with their final videos celebrated in a wrap-up event. We hope to expand this collaboration to include an English component, as well as work with rural libraries to highlight positive and uplifting stories that celebrate their communities.

Speakers

Janani Whitfield

Community Engagement Producer, CBC Saskatchewan

Janani Whitfield is a community engagement producer with CBC Saskatchewan, and works on projects aimed at building storytelling and connection, ranging from First Person writing workshops to our CBC series highlighting wins of small-town communities.

... Read More →

Nicole Lavergne Smith

Video-journalist, Radio-Canada

Nicole Lavergne Smith has worked for Radio-Canada as a video-journalist for the past 18 years, and has a strong focus on engagement in Saskatchewan’s Fransaskois community. In the last few years, she has enjoyed developing storytelling workshops in partnership with local librar... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

2:40pm CST

Librarians for Decolonial Research: The TransSask Research Story

Friday May 1, 2026 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST

Qu'Appelle Room

When Tiberius stumbled into being a researcher in 2022, they were challenged by the sheer amount of gatekeeping the academic structures on Turtle Island do. Research had always been in the iron-grip of ivory tower institutions and Tiberius wondered if they'd be able to achieve the goals their community had asked of them. Then, in their moments of desperation, it was the librarians who supported Tiberius on their journey in unconventional ways. Libraries and librarians have the ability and daring to be accomplices to decolonize research and this story highlights some of the ways how.

Speakers

Tiberius Fayant-McLeod

wo-Spirit holistic community researcher & artist

Tiberius (they/them) is a Two-Spirit holistic community researcher and artist who takes on research projects they believe in. They designed and conducted the first ever census of Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people in Saskatchewan in 2022. Since then, they have... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
Qu'Appelle Room

20-Minute Sessions

2:40pm CST

No Books. Now What?

Friday May 1, 2026 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST

Prince Albert Room

What happens when your library has to dramatically downsize the print collection? Or worse, dismantle the physical space all together? This session discusses pop-up library initiatives that allow libraries to continue supporting the print needs of students, faculty, and library users.

Speakers

Sarah Van Sickle

Resource Management Librarian, Yorkville University

Friday May 1, 2026 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
Prince Albert Room

20-Minute Sessions

3:10pm CST

Libraries as Incubators for Social Innovation: Unlocking Youth Potential Through Engagement

Friday May 1, 2026 3:10pm - 3:30pm CST

Capital A Room

Libraries have long been hubs of learning, creativity, and community connection, offering programs and resources that support youth growth. This session explores how libraries can build on their successes by offering programs such as STEM challenges, hackathons, storytelling workshops, entrepreneurship bootcamps, digital learning tools, creative arts programs, and mentorship initiatives to further empower youths as social innovators and community leaders. By acting as incubators for social innovation, libraries can provide safe, inclusive spaces where young people can brainstorm, prototype, and lead projects that address real-world challenges. Participants will learn strategies to expand access, foster collaboration, and design programs that cultivate leadership, social entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning, ensuring libraries continue to open doors to opportunity, equity, and meaningful impact.

Speakers

Shiza Hirani

Student & award-winning youth advocate, Hill School of Business, University of Regina

Shiza Hirani is an award-winning youth advocate, a current student at the Hill School of Business, University of Regina, and the Founder of Youth MentorNet Café, a youth-led initiative dedicated to empowering young people and building the capacity of high-school students across Canada and internationally... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 3:10pm - 3:30pm CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

3:10pm CST

Libraries Open Doors — For Inclusion and Belonging: How Libraries Act as Community Leaders for Dementia Friendly Community Initiatives

Friday May 1, 2026 3:10pm - 3:30pm CST

Qu'Appelle Room

60 per cent of people living with dementia live in their community. The number one issue they and their care partners face in trying to maintain their quality of life is the stigma associated with dementia. For people living with dementia and their care partners to fully stay well in their communities, they need community spaces that are welcoming and accessible. Spaces such as their local library. We want to share with you some of the simple strategies libraries can follow to make your community library space welcoming to people with dementia and celebrate some of the great dementia friendly work being done by libraries today across Saskatchewan.

Speakers

Erica Zarazun

Public Awareness Coordinator, Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan

Erica Zarazun is the Public Awareness Coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, VP of IABC Regina, and a steering committee member for Age-Friendly Regina. She leads initiatives on dementia education, brain health, and stigma reduction, while promoting equity, diversity, and inclus... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 3:10pm - 3:30pm CST
Qu'Appelle Room

20-Minute Sessions

3:10pm CST

Opening the Door to Discovery: An Introduction to the Sask DLC Resource Bank

Friday May 1, 2026 3:10pm - 3:30pm CST

Prince Albert Room

Librarians and teacher-librarians are essential partners in connecting learners, educators, and communities with high-quality educational resources that spark discovery and support literacy, inquiry, and lifelong learning. This session introduces library professionals to the Sask DLC Resource Bank, a province-wide digital library that provides equitable access to curated, curriculum-aligned educational resources for all Saskatchewan learners.
Participants will learn how the Resource Bank can strengthen their school or community library’s capacity to support teaching and learning. Through a live demonstration and guided exploration, attendees will experience navigating the platform, searching and filtering for curriculum-aligned materials, organizing resources through collections and hubs, and supporting patrons in locating reliable digital content.

The session will highlight how librarians can use the Resource Bank to:
• enhance educational programming and digital literacy instruction
• support educators in selecting open, high-quality learning materials
• guide students in finding trustworthy resources for inquiry and research projects
• extend access to educational materials beyond the physical library space

By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to confidently introduce the Resource Bank within their own contexts, support educators and learners in accessing educational resources, and deepen their knowledge through self-directed learning tools, including supports for contributing their own resources in the future.

Speakers

Melissa Lander

Resource Bank Consultant, Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre (Sask DLC)

Melissa Lander is an experienced learning consultant with a strong commitment to equity in education. She currently serves as the consultant for the Resource Bank at Sask DLC, bringing a particular interest in structured literacy and numeracy to her work. Melissa was recently appointed to the Multitype... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 3:10pm - 3:30pm CST
Prince Albert Room

20-Minute Sessions

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