Tag Archives: Regina Public Library

SK Library Week Oct 15-21,2012

Celebrate Saskatchewan Library Week

Saskatchewan Library Association – poster and book contest winners http://saskla.ca/programs/slw

Saskatchewan Library Trustees Association announcment http://slta.ca/news-events/item/?n=13

Regina Public Library events http://www.reginalibrary.ca/blogs/media/blogs/press/Oct10_Library_Week.pdf

For Immediate Release, October 10, 2012, “Celebrate Saskatchewan Library Week at RPL”

Regina Public Library is celebrating Saskatchewan Library Week, October 15-21, with special programs and prize draws for patrons at all locations.

Each RPL location is offering a prize draw for a great gift basket containing RPL merchandize and a book by a Saskatchewan author. Each entry will also go into the draw bin for a system-wide prize of an eReader.

In honour of Library Week, RPL is pleased to host a reading by Reginan Melanie Schnell, author of While the Sun is Above Us, which tells the story of two women, one Canadian and one South Sudanese, embroiled in Sudan’s Civil War. Ms. Schnell will talk about her visits to Sudan in 2003 and 2005; why she wrote the book; how she translated her experiences into fiction; and the role pop culture can play in fostering public awareness of issues like human trafficking.

The reading will be held at the RPL Film Theatre on Monday, October 15 from 7:00-8:00 pm. Refreshments will be served. To register, visit ReginaLibrary.ca or call 777-6120.

RPL is also hosting the inaugural book launch of Regina-based Wild Sage Press on Wednesday, October 17. The evening will feature author readings of selected poems from How to Be a River by Brenda Niskala and Watermarks by Laura Burkart. These exquisite limited editions are hand bound, numbered and signed. They showcase poetry that is powerful, provocative and engaging. Registration is not required for the launch, which is being held at Connaught Branch from 7:30-8:30 pm.

Regina Public Library (RPL) is a non-profit, Board-run organization dedicated to enriching quality of life in Regina. For over 100 years, RPL has provided open access to materials, programs and services that encourage cultural, economic, educational and recreational development. RPL currently operates Central Library in downtown Regina, as well as eight Branch locations throughout the city, all of which play a key role in supporting the diverse cultures in our community.

For more information please contact: Tony Playter, Manager of Marketing & Communications, Regina Public Library, Phone: 306.777.6015

Leader Post article http://www.leaderpost.com/literacy/raiseareader/Celebrating+library+week+saskatchewan/7389930/story.html

“Celebrating library week in saskatchewan”,  Ministry of Education October 15, 2012

Libraries play a significant role in the knowledge economy and community development, especially in the current information age, where education and lifelong learning require quality information resources and services available to every citizen. The theme chosen for this year’s Saskatchewan Library Week is Celebrating Our Past, Imagining Our Future.

Saskatchewan libraries have a long history of working together across institutional boundaries to share resources and/or services in order to provide access to more resources than they could afford individually. The Multitype Library Board, a minister’s advisory board, facilitates this cooperation among various types of libraries (public, school, post-secondary and special). The different types of libraries support people’s information needs for personal development, lifelong learning and recreation regardless of age, geographical location, income, education level or physical ability.

There are 515,000 registered public library borrowers in Saskatchewan and circulation was over 8 million items last year. Public libraries create and maintain local historical records, host after school programs, provide pre-school programs, family literacy programs and various supports for new immigrants (learning English, locating government services and job search assistance).

All Saskatchewan residents have access to nearly 13,000 full-text online journals, magazines, newspapers and encyclopaedias through the Multitype Database Licensing Program, a purchasing consortium including all public libraries, K to 12 schools (including First Nation schools) and a number of post-secondary and special library partners. It provides equitable access to authoritative information resources at home, at school, on the road or at work.

The Ministry of Education has made significant investments in increasing digitized access to documentary collections of historical and cultural significance to the people of Saskatchewan. To further this goal, the Multitype Library Board created a working group called the Saskatchewan Digital Alliance (SDA), to stimulate collaboration and partnerships between libraries, archives, museums and other heritage institutions.

As part of the Saskatchewan Multitype Digitization Initiative, cultural documents, artefacts, historical records, and First Nations and Métis materials are being captured in digital form and housed on a central, searchable website for the benefit of students, researchers, as well as local, national and international library users. This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Saskatchewan and a partnership between the University Library at the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Digital Alliance.

As part of Saskatchewan Library Week and Education Week celebrations, the University Library at the U of S will host a special event on Oct. 16 to showcase a new online portal that provides digital access to a breadth of Saskatchewan’s cultural resources and materials.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. with a short presentation followed by a reception in the second floor ‘Link’ exhibition space in the Murray Library on the U of S campus. No RSVP is required. For more information, please call (306) 966-5927.

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

RPL Board today at Regent Place Branch

The RPL Board meeting is at Regent Place Branch today Sept 25 at 4:30 in the Regina Market Mall at 331 Albert Street.

FRPL will be giving a presentation concerning obtaining information about the Central Library upgrading design process.

Come out and see the newly opened Branch.

FRPL to RPL Board – Sept 19, 2012 letter – final

All Candidates Forum – Sept 25

 
On October 24, Reginans go to the polls to elect our new Mayor and City Councillors.Make your voice heard
at the municipal election All-Candidates Forum

Tuesday, September 25, 2012
7:00 – 9:00 pm
FREE AdmissionLocation: Regina Christian School – 2505 23rd Ave (at Albert St., in gymnasium)
Moderator: Mitch Diamantopoulos, Department Chair, University of Regina School of JournalismCome learn where mayoral and city council candidates from all wards stand on important local issues – affordable housing, food security, public transit, and more.7:00 – 8:00 pm: Mayoral candidate forum. Bring written questions for Regina’s potential mayors to answer!

8:00 – 9:00 pm: All-candidates meet and greet. Meet the mayoral candidates and city council candidates from all city wards.

Sponsored by Clean Green Regina, Friends of Regina Public Library, Making Peace Vigil, Queen City Tenants Association, Real Food Regina, Real Renewal, Regina Anti-Poverty Network, Regina and District Labour Council, and Regina Citizens Public Transit Coalition.

Eventbrite: http://electionforum.eventbrite.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/143149345828948/

No Plan, No P3 for Library

NEWS RELEASE: Wednesday June 27, 2012

“No Plan, No P3 for Library”

REGINA — The Friends of the Regina Public Library were astonished Tuesday afternoon to hear that the Regina Public Library now has no plan for the rejuvenation of Central Library.

The Regina Public Library Board disclosed it had spent about $400,000 on feasibility and design studies, which became largely useless when the Masons declined to sell their neighbouring building. The work apparently provided no alternative plans, according to the Library Board Chair.

While the Friends would like to retain the existing Central Library building for heritage and environmental reasons, the need for some major renovations is pressing. There is a need for new elevators, a new heating system, a functioning accessibility ramp and many other upgrades.

“We find it troubling that is no alternate plan. These problems have been documented for many years,” said Jim Holmes, member of the Friends of the RPL.

The Library did commit to release the report detailing the reasons why the Board feels that the Central Library needs to double in size.

The Friends were happy to hear the Library Board has abandoned a public-private partnership (P3) for the Central Library. Chairperson Darlene Hincks Joehnck claimed the Friends would never understand P3’s but evidently she understands them well enough to know it is not a good idea for the Regina Public Library.

Without a plan, the Board does not foresee any public consultations over the summer.

“We are pleased that the Library Board has informed us that it will not be pressing for quick decisions and holding hasty consultations during the summer, a time when it is difficult for the public to participate,” said Joanne Havelock, Chair of the Friends. The Friends are hoping this means there will be no decisions made on Central Library until after the October Civic Elections.

The news was revealed at an RPL Board meeting held on Tuesday, June 26 after repeated requests from the Friends for information about planning for Central Library.

Plan B at Library Board June 26

We are before the Regina Public Library Board again on Tuesday, June 26th at 4:30 pm to ask the Library Board more questions.
This is their last public meeting until the Fall. 
Please consider coming out and seeing what they have to say. 
Arrive early as there is limited seating and the meeting starts promptly at 4:30 pm.  The Board meeting is in the 2nd Floor Boardroom of the Central Library.

Masons to stay

The Masons have just announced that they will not sell the Masonic Temple – they will be staying in their building.

Don Kerr presentation June 13, 7pm

Please join us for an evening with Saskatchewan Poet Laureate, Don Kerr

Doors open at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at The Artesian 2627 13th Avenue, Regina. Everyone is welcome to this public meeting sponsored by Friends of the Regina Public Library. Donations gratefully accepted.

Don Kerr is a strong advocate of public libraries and heritage conservation. He is the author of A Book in Every Hand, which celebrates the history of public libraries and chronicles the struggles and triumphs of this world-class, made-in-Saskatchewan achievement. Don taught English at the University of Saskatchewan for forty years. He has written short stories, non-fiction, poetry and produced five plays. Don Kerr has worked for architectural preservation and has served on many organizations dedicated to culture and the arts.

The evening will include an update on the Library Board’s proposed redevelopment of Central Library and a public discussion of this plan.

For more information call 535-9570

Poster FRPL_Jun13_mini_poster

 

FRPL continues to question Library Board

 On Tuesday, May 22nd, The Friends of the Regina Public Library (FRPL) will once again ask the Library Board for more information about the plans for Central Library, and is challenging the Board’s assertion that it has held extensive public consultation.

“We are aware that there have been private discussions with organizations and with City Council members about Central Library, but these have not been shared with the public,” said Joanne Havelock, chair of the Friends of the Public Library. “What does the Library Board consider public consultations to be?”

FRPL is also recommending changes to the Library Board’s meeting process. In recent years, the public meeting has become brief, with the majority of the Board’s discussion held after the public meeting is adjourned. “Accepted practice is that human resources and contract negotiations are reviewed in camera, but other business topics could be discussed in the public meeting,” said Ms. Havelock.  “This would make library governance more democratic, giving the public the opportunity to know what decisions are being made and why.”

The Friends is also requesting that the Board’s meeting agenda be posted in advance on the RPL’s website, and that minutes be posted in a timely manner.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Boardroom of the Regina Public Library. It is open to the public.

Central Branch – what’s next? May 3 meeting.

Plans are moving ahead on this project.  FRPL is holding a meeting to discuss recent developments about Central Branch and determine next steps.

Thursday May 3, 2012, 7 pm.

Fellowship Hall, lower level, Westminster United Church, 3025 13th Avenue. Wheelchair access via elevator at northeast corner of the building.

FRPL presentation to RPL April 24

FRPL made a presentation to the Regina Public Library Board on April 24, asking for information about plans for Central Branch. Covering letter  FRPL to RPL Board – April 18, 2012 – letter – final Presentation FRPL to RPL Board – April 18, 2012 – presentation – final wih addition

A letter from the Library Director dated April 17, 2012 arrived after FRPL had met the formal deadline for making a submission to the April 24 meeting. Jeff_Barber_Letter_-_April_17,_2012

FRPL commented that the information in the letter did not provide enough detail and that the information should have been provided before the Library Board proceeded with its current actions about Central Branch.

The Board did not ask any questions or make any comments on the FRPL presentation.

The following is a LeaderPost article about the presentation. “Friends of the Regina Public Library cries foul”  http://www.leaderpost.com/entertainment/Friends+Regina+Public+Library+cries+foul/6513882/story.html