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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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

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

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