Released on October 17, 2017
The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed October 15-21 as Saskatchewan Library Week to recognize the role libraries play in fostering creativity and life-long learning. Under the theme Libraries Matter, the goal of this year’s library week is to encourage literacy, bring communities together and promote cultural awareness in Saskatchewan.“This year’s theme provides opportunities to highlight and honour the contributions Saskatchewan’s more than 1,200 public, academic, special and school libraries make to the cultural, economic, educational and recreational development of our province’s residents,” Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre said. “I encourage everyone to visit their local library to explore the extensive resources available.”
On behalf of Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre, Saskatchewan’s Deputy Minister of Education Rob Currie joined the library community yesterday to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Dr. John Archer Library at the University of Regina.
During that event, Deputy Minister Currie kicked off the 2017 Saskatchewan Library Week, delivering the proclamation certificate to the Saskatchewan Library Association President, Michael Shires. The Saskatchewan Library Association has proudly sponsored Saskatchewan Library Week since 1976.
“Libraries continue to be at the forefront of providing vital programs and services for people of all ages and cultural backgrounds,” Saskatchewan Library Association President Michael Shires said. “Through programs such as English as a Second Language for newcomers, after school homework clubs for teens, and family reading times for children, libraries provide much needed support for building strong communities of literacy.”
More than 25 special projects and events will be occurring across the province during the week, including public readings in three northern libraries by award winning Cree poet Louise Bernice Halfe, who will also be delivering writing workshops in local high schools. For the first time ever, promotional materials are available in the Cree language.
Now in its fourth year, the Book Spine Poetry Contest typically attracts more than 1,000 entries and is especially popular in schools.
For more information about Saskatchewan Library Week related programs and events, please visit https://saskla.ca/programs/slw.
For more information about the Book Spine Poetry contest, please visit https://bookspinepoetrycontest.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Chris Hodges
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: chris.hodges@gov.sk.ca
Anne Pennylegion
Saskatchewan Library Association
Regina
Phone: 306-780-9409
Email: slaprograms@sasktel.net
Dale Johnson
University of Regina
Regina
Phone: 306-337-3291
Email: dale.johnson@uregina.ca