A fine amnesty, free new cards, a guest speaker and a picture contest are all part of what’s going on at the Kamsack Library this week which has been proclaimed Saskatchewan Library Week.
To celebrate the week, Nicole Larson, librarian, said that patrons with overdue books may return those books this week and the fines will be forgiven, and those with tattered or misplaced library cards are able to obtain new copies at no charge.
The week concludes tomorrow (Friday) with a presentation by former resident Lorne Harasen, a well-known Saskatchewan writer and broadcaster. Coffee and dainties will be served during the evening.
As has been advertised, this week the library launched its “Paws-itively Purr-fect Picture Contest” for which all one needs is a warm pet at one’s feet and a good book in order to win.
“Take a picture of yourself reading with your pet and send it to Parkland Regional Library” or to the Kamsack library, the contest promotional material says. The contest ends on November 15 when three top prizes will be awarded.
The Saskatchewan Library Association (SLA) is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Saskatchewan Library Week (SLW) with the theme “Explore and Discover Saskatchewan Libraries.”
SLW is one of SLA's longest running programs, said a release from the association. The association has sponsored it since 1976 and the John Diefenbaker was SLW's first patron.
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, the release said. Saskatchewan Library Week encourages literacy, brings communities together and brings cultural awareness to the forefront in Saskatchewan.
"With a generation of people now having grown up with the Internet, the strength of libraries continues to be helping instill literacy skills and assisting information seekers for people of all ages,” it said. “The return on investment is high for modest budgets and libraries in Saskatchewan offer a wealth of resources and services for newcomers, seniors, children, adults, and minorities.
“Libraries in our province are needed now more than ever as they continue to build partnerships with organizations that help play an important role in the social, economic, and cultural development of their communities" said Michael Shires, SLA president.
Libraries throughout Saskatchewan are planning special projects for this annual reminder of the value and importance of our libraries.
A list of these projects can be found at http://saskla.ca/programs/slw. Many of these projects are funded with the assistance of grants provided by SLA to all sector libraries.
This year also marks the third anniversary of SLW's Book Spine Poetry Contest, where closet poets everywhere can create an original poem using the spines of books and enter to win prizes. Details about the Book Spine Poetry Contest can be found at www.bookspinepoetrycontest.ca.
For more information about Saskatchewan Library Week, one may contact Michael Shires at michael.shires@uregina.ca.
