Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When did The Public Libraries Act, 1996 and regulations come into force and where can you obtain a copy of the Act and regulations?

A: The Act came into force December 31, 1996. The regulations came into force December 31, 1996 and were amended April 1, 1998. You can obtain copies of the Act or regulations from the Queen's Printer.

Q: How are Saskatchewan public libraries funded?

A: Public libraries receive most of their funding from levies paid by municipalities and from provincial government grants. In regional libraries, the municipalities' representatives on regional library boards have the legal responsibility of setting the amount of library levies to be paid by municipalities in each regional library. The two municipal library boards negotiate the amount of the library mill rate with the city council.

Provincial government grants support resource sharing. For regional libraries, there is a funding formula which was developed on the basis of recommendations from the Review of Regional Libraries Committee. The Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System receives most of its funding from provincial government grants. There is no municipal funding of the Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System.

Northern community public libraries receive funding from the municipal or Band council, which is eligible for matching provincial funds, administered by the Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System to their set maximum amount.

The two municipal libraries, in Regina and Saskatoon, receive funding based on the resources made available to non-residents.

Further information on public library funding is available from your Library Director or from the Provincial Library.

Q: How do I borrow a book from a public library in Saskatchewan?

A: You must have a borrower's card, which you can obtain from the library nearest to your home. You may then borrow books from any public library in Saskatchewan. If you wish to borrow an item from another public library, submit an interlibrary loan request to your local public library.

Q: Can I borrow a book directly from the Provincial Library?

A: You can borrow materials from Provincial Library's collections by submitting an interlibrary loan request for the item you wish to borrow, to your local public library.

Q: Can we combine our school and public library?

A: The local municipalities are responsible for providing the facility for a public library. The location of the facility is decided in consultation with the local and regional library board. If the local municipalities, local and regional library board, local and school division boards agree that they want to join their libraries, they negotiate and sign a written agreement addressing the topics required by The Public Libraries Regulations.

Contact your Library Director or the Provincial Library for more information on this matter.

Q: Where could I study to be a librarian?

A: There are seven Schools of Library & Information Studies in Canada that provide professional training in library science. There are also many Library Technician Programs across Canada, including one in Saskatchewan at SIAST - Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon. These schools may all be contacted through the Saskatchewan Libraries web site or the individual web sites of each school.

Q: What are the most useful tools and resources for cataloguers available on the Web?

A: Technical Services staff at Provincial Library have created lists of cataloguing tools, cataloguing related sites, and other related sites of interest to cataloguers at http://www.lib.sk.ca/staff/cataloguing/index.html.