Name: Branching Out: Community Outreach at Winnipeg Public Library Branches
Start: 2026-04-30T11:00:00-0600
End: 2026-04-30T11:50:00-0600

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!!

Branching Out: Community Outreach at Winnipeg Public Library Branches

Thursday April 30, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CST

Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

In 2023, a team of librarians at the Winnipeg Public Library came together to ask the question: How can our library branches make community outreach a priority with limited time, staffing, and resources? Since then, the WPL Outreach Working Group has developed several tools, including a new Outreach Toolkit and staff surveys, to look at how staff can be supported and encouraged to “branch out” to build meaningful connections in their neighborhoods.

As members of this working group and branch head librarians serving very different communities, Sarah and Austin will discuss these tools, their strategies to help staff engage effectively beyond library walls, and the partnerships and outreach opportunities that they have developed at their branches.

Speakers

Austin Matheson

Branch Head Librarian, Westwood Library

Following the completion of his Master of Information Studies degree in 2017, Austin Matheson held positions in BC as a Children’s Librarian, Community Engagement Librarian, and Manager of Collections & Technology, before starting with the Winnipeg Public Library in 2022. Now a Branch Head Librarian at the Westwood Library, Austin is passionate about developing creative... Read More →

Sarah Giesbrecth

Branch Head Librarian, St. John’s Branch, Winnipeg Public Library

Sarah Giesbrecht is the Branch Head Librarian of the St. John’s branch of the Winnipeg Public Library. She began her current role in October 2022. Before switching to public libraries, she worked in Data Services at University of Winnipeg Library and University of Northern BC Library and as an... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CST
Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

50-Minute Sessions

2026 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference: Libraries Open Doors

Austin Matheson

Sarah Giesbrecth

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2026 Saskatchewan Libraries Conference: Libraries Open Doors

Austin Matheson

Sarah Giesbrecth

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