The 2018 Rural Libraries Conference will explore the theme “The Future Focused Library” on September 27 and 28 in Grande Prairie.

The library community is gathering at the Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre for their annual conference on September 27 and 28 in Grande Prairie. This year, more than 150 members of the library community from Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories will attend sessions and network with exhibitors and colleagues. The gathering presents a unique opportunity for library staff from public and school libraries throughout the Peace region and beyond to come together and learn new things to strengthen their home communities.

The conference theme for 2018 is The Future Focused Library. At this year’s Rural Libraries Conference, the host organization Peace Library System wants to give delegates an understanding of the changing world we live in, which will give libraries a solid foundation to help them move forward into the future—and offer lots of exciting ideas along the way. Their hope is that attendees come away from this year’s Rural Libraries Conference excited for the future and what it holds for their libraries.

The conference opens on Thursday, September 27 at 9:00 AM with a keynote address from Sarah Houghton, director of San Rafael Public Library in California. Her presentation 21st Century Library Ethics will help delegates discuss library initiatives around the world that bring attention to various aspects of library ethics including privacy, threats to intellectual freedom, free speech, and freedom of information access.

On the morning of Friday, September 28, Alberta librarian and staff member at the University of Alberta Joanne Rodger will give her keynote address, Reading, Creating, and the Future of Libraries. She will discuss the ways in which school and public libraries can use innovation to create a culture that supports reading and creating in new and interesting ways.

Breakout sessions at this year’s conference include topics such as: marketing and social media, inclusivity, discerning credible information, early childhood development, and much more!
Throughout the two day event an exhibitor tradeshow with various exhibitors, primarily publishers and library vendors, will be held at the hotel. This tradeshow gives library staff the opportunity to see and handle current books and products, and meet exhibitors face to face. This year’s exhibitors include CELA; CDI Spaces; CVS Midwest; Living Books; Loveday on Libraries; Now & Wow Fashions; United Library Services; World Book Educational Products of Canada; Happy Harbor Comics; Shepherd's Fold; Jonathan Morgan & Company Limited; and Wendy’s Booktree.

Peace Library System wishes to thank and acknowledge the support of our silver-level sponsors United Library Services and Alliance Pipeline. Peace Library System is also grateful for the items donated by: Archambault; Book Publishers Association of Alberta; Canadian Tire; Firefly Books; Grass Roots Press; Greystone Books; Mr Mike’s Steakhouse; Orca Book Publishers; Penguin Random House; Ronsdale Press; Saunders Book Company; Scholastic; and the Writer's Guild of Alberta.

For more information about the conference click here

library and pipeline

Information provided by the Peace Library System.