Name: Mary Donaldson Lecture
Start: 2026-04-30T19:30:00-0600
End: 2026-04-30T20:30:00-0600

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!!

Mary Donaldson Lecture

Thursday April 30, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm CST

Capital A Room

Mary Donaldson Lecture is proudly sponsored by Library Bound Inc.

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.

Speakers

Danny Ramadan

Syrian-Canadian author & LGBTQ+ refugees’ advocate

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... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm CST
Capital A Room

Special Event

2026 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference: Libraries Open Doors

Danny Ramadan

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2026 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference: Libraries Open Doors

Danny Ramadan

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