Webinars

SLA regularly offers webinars via Zoom as a way to provide professional development without the traditional barriers of cost, travel, or large time requirements. Webinars are always free for SLA members, both individual and institutional. As SLA hosts these webinars, registration details will be made available on this page. Please check back often for the latest updates!

Copyright Update 2025

Date: ApRIL 2, 12PM-1 pm

Presenter: Christina Winter & Kate Langrell

Cost: Free for all sla members

Join Christina Winter and Kate Langrell for their annual copyright update for SLA members. This session will cover the latest case law and legislative developments and advocacy efforts by the library community.

Christina Winter is the Copyright and Scholarly Communications at the University of Regina.
Kate Langrell is the Copyright Coordinator at the University of Saskatchewan.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED

Modernizing Library Reading Programs for Adults

Date: February 6, 12PM-1 pm

Presenter: Devon Stolz

Cost: Free for all sla members

Recognizing the challenges of engaging adults, the annual adult reading challenge at Regina Public Library (RPL) was revamped in a pilot project to create a more flexible and user-centered experience. Participants were allowed to set their own reading goals and timelines, using provided bullet journals and rewards to stay motivated. The revamped program ran over the course of a year, resulting in improved user experience and overall library engagement.

This session will share the journey from former RPL lead of Adult & Teen Programming, Devon Stolz, who will reflect on the key takeaways from ideation to rollout to wrap-up. This case study provides insights for libraries looking to innovate and enhance their adult reading programs and challenges.

Devon Stolz is the Student Engagement Librarian at the University of Toronto Libraries and a PhD student at the University of Regina. Originally from Saskatchewan, he has experience in government and public libraries before transitioning to academic libraries. His work focuses on inclusive student engagement practices centered on belonging and emphasizing academic persistence to challenge deficit narratives of student experiences in higher education.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED

AI, Bias and Libraries: Expanded Edition

Date: January 15, 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Presenter: Veronica Ramshaw

Cost: Free for all sla members

This presentation will explore the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI), examining its applications, limitations, and potential biases. ChatGPT’s public release in 2022 made Artificial Intelligence a marketing buzzword and topic of constant conversation. In this session, we’ll get on the same page with a brief explanation of the AI landscape and how some of these tools work. Then we’ll discuss bias and library use of these tools. Bias in the training data and the outputs of these tools has long been an issue in the “Big Data” space yet library vendors are offering their own AI tools trying to stay ahead of the curve.

Veronica Ramshaw (they/them) is the Digital Services and Liaison Librarian at the Archer Library at the University of Regina. They have a BFA in Film Production from York University in Toronto, and an MLIS from McGill University in Montreal. They have lived in Regina with their partner (and dog) since 2019, after spending 5 years in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. They like birds and video games.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED

Othering, Discrimination & Racism

Date: DECEmber 11, 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Presenter: LARA PAUL

Cost: Free for all sla members

With an interactive approach to the exploration of biases and how they contribute to othering and discrimination, this presentation provides building blocks to understanding cultural distances and the different levels of racism in our societies. With opportunities for strategic dialogue and collaboration, potential interactions are explored, corporate policies are critiqued, and next steps are discussed.

This webinar is free for all SLA members, both individual and institutional. Not sure if you’re a member? Check with your employer! If they have an institutional membership, you are covered under that.

Lara Paul is the Intercultural Education (and Anti Racism) Coordinator at Saskatchewan Intercultural Association and has been delivering educational presentations related to Indigenous Awareness, Anti-Racism, and Intercultural Education for the past 4+ years. Her role also includes community event organization and relationship building with local Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Story Tellers. In addition to her role at SIA, Lara lectures part time at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Education and enjoys engaging in the art of teaching and workshop facilitating. With Bachelor’s degrees in the fields of Sociology and Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Education, Lara aims to coalesce group knowledge by hosting learning opportunities that are interactive, critical, and thoughtful of future generations here on Turtle Island.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED

Developing Inclusive Mindsets & Eliminating Biases

Date: November 19, 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Presenter: Nura Mehammed and Zane Arnott from Saskatchewan Intercultural Association

Cost: Free for all sla members

In this presentation, we will explore how biases are formed, how to be aware of your biases and how to challenge them. We will also explore the importance and effectiveness of inclusivity from an organizational standpoint. We will approach inclusivity from an identity and intersectionality approach, where our understanding of people is not limited to labels but includes all of the aspects that make a person unique.

This webinar is free for all SLA members, both individual and institutional. Not sure if you’re a member? Check with your employer! If they have an institutional membership, you are covered under that.

Nura Mehammed (she/her) has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work from the College of Arts and Social Science Adi Keiyh in Eritrea. She has experience working with youth and communities developing education materials that support personal growth in populations experiencing incarceration. Nura is currently the Equity & Inclusion Coordinator at Saskatchewan Intercultural Association. She enjoys supporting people and encouraging health and wellness while parenting two wonderful children.

Zane Arnott (any pronouns) has a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Saskatchewan. They taught for eight years in Saskatchewan schools, then joined the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association as the Intercultural & Anti-Racism Education Coordinator. They bring their experience as a classroom educator and a community advocate to the design and implementation of Anti-Racist professional development opportunities.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED