Saskatchewan Library Week

October 15-21, 2017

 

Saskatchewan Library Week (SLW) is a province-wide, annual event, which promotes the wonderful resources and services that libraries have to offer. Saskatchewan Library Week is celebrated throughout Saskatchewan in all types of libraries, in both urban and rural communities and by all age groups. The Saskatchewan Library Association (SLA) has proudly presented this week long celebration since 1976. The Saskatchewan Library Association marked the 40th anniversary of SLW in 2016. The theme this year is “Libraries Matter!”.

SLA is also sponsoring the 4th annual Book Spine Poetry Contest.

 

Saskatchewan Library Week Background Information

Saskatchewan Library Week is a province-wide, annual event, which promotes the wonderful resources and services that libraries have to offer. Saskatchewan Library Week is celebrated throughout Saskatchewan in all types of libraries, in both urban and rural communities and by all age groups. The Saskatchewan Library Association has proudly presented this weeklong celebration since 1976.

We want the general public to know that libraries are…

  • Dynamic, community centres for learning, information and entertainment;
  • More than just printed materials but provide access to computers, the Internet and programs;
  • Rare institutions that are within everyone’s reach, regardless of age, education or income level;
  • The ultimate equal opportunity resource.

AND that librarians are…

  • Well-trained, friendly, information experts who help people find whatever it is they are looking for;
  • Information smart in an information rich world

Background
The Saskatchewan Library Association has proudly sponsored Saskatchewan Library Week (SLW) since 1976. This province-wide program, which occurs during the third week in October, unites Saskatchewan people and libraries in an annual event intended to promote library services and create an awareness of the access to information for cultural, economic, educational, and recreational development that is available to everyone in Saskatchewan. SLW encourages literacy, brings communities together and brings cultural awareness to the forefront in Saskatchewan. We are fortunate to have more than 1200 libraries located around the province.

Goals
The goal of SLW is to ensure that every citizen in Saskatchewan is aware of the many ways that libraries serve them. Through SLA grants many libraries across the province are able to provide special programs during Saskatchewan Library Week. In recent years, SLA has adopted a Book Spine Poetry contest as its’ provincial project.
Saskatchewan Library Week is planned to:

Raise awareness of libraries, their services and resources to the general public
Promote and encourages literacy
Promote cultural awareness and cultural activities
Provide leisure opportunities and activities for all ages.
Bring communities together
Events
Saskatchewan libraries often hold events depending on the type of library and /or the individual branch. These may include open-houses, story time, elder storytelling, children and adult craft classes, computer workshops, art displays, gala evenings, book displays, teas, patron and volunteer appreciation, speakers, community events, book launches, information nights and workshops.

Promotion
Over 1500 posters and 50,000 bookmarks for Saskatchewan Library Week will be distributed in 2015 to all types of libraries including academic and special libraries, as well as the Francophone community and schools. We encourage all libraries to join in the celebration by holding special events in their local libraries. A yearly request is made to the Government of Saskatchewan to proclaim Saskatchewan Library Week. Promotions and advertising are done in newspapers, press releases, radio and television.