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!!

1:00pm CST

Pre-conference Session: It Can Happen to You: Cybersecurity Planning & Libraries

Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:00pm - 4:30pm CST

Moose Jaw Room (2nd Floor)

The Multitype Library Board is excited to support the Saskatchewan Libraries Pre-conference session It Can Happen to You: Cybersecurity Planning &Libraries.The afternoon session will include real stories from libraries that have experienced cybersecurity breaches. The session will detail first-hand accounts of navigating real cybersecurity breaches. Discover what happened, how they responded,...
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Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Moose Jaw Room (2nd Floor) 1975 Broad Street, Regina, SK, Canada

Special Event

7:30pm CST

Pre-Conference: SILS Dessert Reception

Wednesday April 29, 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm CST

Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

SLA is pleased to open the 2026 conference with an evening social & dessert reception, hosted by SILS.Join us on April 29th at the DoubleTree by Hilton for an engaging and rejuvenating social affair! This informal event will cap your day of travel, gear you up for conference, and celebrate the collaboration between staff and member libraries that have made the SILS Consortium such a successful...
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Wednesday April 29, 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm CST
Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

Special Event

6:45am CST

Registration Desk Opens

Thursday April 30, 2026 6:45am - 3:00pm CST

Capital A Room

Thursday April 30, 2026 6:45am - 3:00pm CST
Capital A Room

Registration Desk Hours

7:30am CST

Breakfast

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

Capital A Room

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

Meal

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

9:00am CST

Conference Opening & Keynote Speaker

Thursday April 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am CST

Capital A Room

Carol Radford-Grant has been the Provincial Archivist of Saskatchewan since September 2021. She leads a team that preserves and provides access to the province’s historical records of the government, as well as individuals, organizations, businesses and associations. In addition, the Archives also provides expertise and advice to governmentabout information management, policy standards and...
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Speakers

Carol Radford-Grant

Provincial Archivist of Saskatchewan, Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan

Carol Radford-Grant has been the Provincial Archivist of Saskatchewan since September 2021. She leads a team that preserves and provides access to the province’s historical records of the government, as well as individuals, organizations, businesses and associations. In addition, the Archives also... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am CST
Capital A Room

Special Event

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

11:00am CST

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”...
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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

11:00am CST

Portals to Community and Self-Discovery: Tabletop Roleplaying at the Library

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

Prince Albert Room

Learn about how the Saskatoon Public Library makes Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs) accessible and how staff with no specialist knowledge can use these resources to support patrons in lifelong learning. Through RPG kits and patron-led programming, SPL patrons have expanded their social networks and gained skills, confidence, and self-knowledge. The presenters will show you how you can support...
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Speakers

Neil Jones

Saskatoon Public Library

Neil Jones (they/them) has been working at the Saskatoon Public Library for 11 years and playing tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) for over 30 years (off and on). They developed the idea of RPG kits while working on the Book Club in a Bag service. They enjoy strategic and tactical gameplay leav... Read More →

Eli Hartman

Programmer, Saskatoon Public Library

Eli Hartman (they/them) has been working with Saskatoon Public Library as a programmer for 3 years and playing tabletop games for 14 years. Their passion for all things storytelling is the driving force behind their programs, and when they aren’t working, they can be found in countless table... Read More →

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

50-Minute Sessions

11:00am CST

Start Smart: Building Assessment into Your Projects

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

Qu'Appelle Room

In the excitement of starting a new project, program, or service it can be easy to just jump right in and begin, but when time comes for renewals and funding there is a scramble to build a case for your successes. Don’t stress! Make your project stand out from the crowd. Building assessments into your project from the beginning doesn’t have to be complicated and has both ongoing and long-term...
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Speakers

Linnea Richards

Library Assessment Coordinator, Dr. John Archer Library & Archives, University of Regina

Linnea Richards is dedicated to fostering evidence-based decision-making in library services. She is currently the Library Assessment Coordinator at Dr. John Archer Library and brings a wealth of experience from her years working in public libraries of all sizes across Canada. Drawing on this diverse... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CST
Qu'Appelle Room

50-Minute Sessions

11:00am CST

Unlocking Archival Materials: Utilizing Zooniverse to Create More Accessible Collections

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

Capital A Room

Gladys Arnold, a teacher turned journalist, worked for the Regina Leader-Post before travelling to Europe in 1935. After working as a freelance journalist for the Canadian Press, she became their Paris correspondent, ultimately serving as the sole Canadian correspondent in France during the start of the Second World War. Her correspondence and memoirs, now preserved at the University of Regina’s...
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Speakers

Caitlin Bakker

Discovery Technologies Librarian, University of Regina

Caitlin Bakker, MLIS, PhD, is the Discovery Technologies Librarian at the University of Regina, where her portfolio includes the Library Services Platform, discovery and publishing systems, metadata, and authentication services. Her interests include research and publishing ethics, open science and schol... Read More →

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 →

Alyssa Hyduk

University Archivist, University of Regina

Alyssa Hyduk has been involved in the archival community in Canada since 2015 and is the University Archivist at the University of Regina where she oversees private records, collection development, reference and research. Her interests include cultural memory acquisition, digitization and preservatio... Read More →

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

50-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...
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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,...
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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...
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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

1:30pm CST

Beyond Access: Collaborative Curation and Contribution in the Resource Bank.

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST

Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

This session is designed for librarians and teacher-librarians who already have some experience using the Sask DLC Resource Bank and want to deepen their practice to support their libraries. Rather than focusing on basic searching, participants will explore strategies for endorsing high-quality resources, sharing favourite educational materials, and creating new resources to support teaching,...
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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 →

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST
Swift Current Room (2nd Floor)

50-Minute Sessions

1:30pm CST

Beyond the Horizon: AI and Emerging Directions for Libraries

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST

Capital A Room

Artificial intelligence is reshaping information ecosystems, public expectations, and the core workflows that sustain libraries and library employees. This panel brings together senior leaders from academic and public libraries to examine how AI is influencing current practices and shaping emerging directions across the profession. They will discuss what these shifts mean for libraries’ roles...
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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.

Brett Waytuck

Dean, University Libraries & Archives at the University of Regina

Brett Waytuck is the Dean, University Libraries and Archives at the University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He also has responsibility for the development and management of the President’s Art Collection. Prior to joining the University in 2016, Brett Waytuck worked in public, special, go... Read More →

Jeff Barber

Library Director & CEO, Regina Public Library

Jeff Barber is the Library Director and CEO of Regina Public Library.

He holds a Master of Library and Information Studies, a Master of Business Administration, is a Chartered Director, and is currently taking the slow road to a Master of Laws. He began his library career at the Southeast Regional Library (SK) and then moved briefly to a position at... Read More →

Carol Shepstone

Director of Libraries & CEO, Saskatoon Public Library

Carol joined the Saskatoon Public Library in the fall of 2024 as Director of Libraries & CEO, returning home to Saskatoon to lead the dynamic and community-focused SPL team. She brings extensive leadership experience from academic libraries across the country where she has focused on lea... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST
Capital A Room

50-Minute Sessions

1:30pm CST

Beyond the Stacks: Addressing Burnout in Librarianship Through Compassion and Self-Care

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST

Qu'Appelle Room

Librarianship is a profession built on service, connection, and intellectual care — yet behind the calm and helpful demeanor, many library professionals face increasing demands, emotional strain, and invisible stressors that can lead to burnout. From public service pressures and information overload to the emotional labor of supporting diverse communities, librarians are often so focused on...
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Speakers

Katharine Carter

Owner, Carter's Counselling Services

Katharine Carter is the owner of Carter's Counselling Services, which has been operating since 2020. Katharine has a strong passion for families and is one of the co-founders of the Martensville Youth Connection in Martensville. Katharine is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Me... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST
Qu'Appelle Room

50-Minute Sessions

1:30pm CST

Uncensored: Intellectual Freedom in Children's and YA Collections

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST

Prince Albert Room

As talks of book bans and fears of "inappropriate" children's and YA materials rise, so do challenges in your library. Patrons often expect library staff to ignore (and sometimes jeopardize) the intellectual freedom of kids and teens. This presentation will discuss the importance of preserving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the children's and YA collections, and will cover the challenges of...
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Speakers

Meagan McNaney

Consultant Librarian, Peace Library System

Meagan McNaney (she/her) is a Consultant Librarian for Peace Library System, serving communities in northwestern Alberta. Her library career so far has taken her to academic libraries, urban public libraries, and small town/rural public libraries. Meagan is passionate about helping libraries develop... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST
Prince Albert Room

50-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....
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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...
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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....
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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.

Christina Winter

Christina Winter is the Copyright and Scholarly Communications Librarian at the University of Regina.

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST
Qu'Appelle Room

20-Minute Sessions

3:00pm CST

Exhibitor Social & Nutrition Break

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Capital A Room

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Capital A Room

20-Minute Sessions

4:00pm CST

Supper Break

Thursday April 30, 2026 4:00pm - 7:20pm CST

20-Minute Sessions

7:30pm CST

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...
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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

8:30pm CST

Mary Donaldson Reception

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm CST

Hotel Lobby

Mary Donaldson Reception is proudly sponsored by Saskatoon Public Library

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm CST
Hotel Lobby 1975 Broad Street, Regina, SK, Canada

Special Event

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...
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Speakers

Christina Hwang

Associate Dean (Academic), University of Regina

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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Speakers

Crista Bradley

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

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...
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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:...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Speakers

Melissa Lander

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

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

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