New provincial library consortium formed to enhance services

Image credit: Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Image credit: Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Several Saskatchewan libraries celebrate a new collaboration to shift specialized services into the next generation. 


May 17, 2016 - The Consortium of Academic and Special Libraries of Saskatchewan (CASLS) has been formed by the University of Regina Library, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Library, Gabriel Dumont Institute Library, Saskatchewan Legislative Library, Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Library, Law Society of Saskatchewan Library, and RCMP Learning Resource Centre. The purpose of CASLS is to support inter-institutional collaboration on innovative solutions for library users.  

"We are very excited that this expanded partnership of academic and specialized libraries has come to fruition. It's an outgrowth of a previous collaboration, but with more libraries and a renewed focus," said Colleen Murphy, Acting University Librarian, University of Regina Library. 

"Collaboration in CASLS will enable our libraries to share costs and expertise in library service development. Working together enables us to improve services to our users and assists in managing our fiscal pressures," said Susan Baer, Director, Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Library.

CASLS's first priority has been the selection of a next generation library system, a cloud-based software platform for managing and searching library collections. CASLS's members will be implementing Alma and Primo by Ex Libris over the next year. 

"This new library software platform is a cornerstone in meeting our commitment to building intuitive digital library services and making collections more discoverable for our community of users," said Rian Misfeldt, Director, Library & Testing Services, Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

CASLS's member libraries deliver library services to a wide range of user groups across Saskatchewan including students, faculty, researchers, physicians, administrators, professionals, and legislators. Library researchers will begin to see new service offerings in early 2017 when the next generation library system will launch.  

CASLS will deliver a presentation on the new partnership and the next generation library system initiative at the Saskatchewan Libraries Conference in Saskatoon on Friday, May 6, 2016.

For more information, contact one of the member libraries:

Colleen Murphy
University of Regina Library
Phone:  306-585-4132
Email:  university.librarian@uregina.ca

Rian Misfeldt
Saskatchewan Polytechnic Library
Phone:  306-775-7710
Email: rian.misfeldt@saskpolytech.ca

Kim Kovacs
Gabriel Dumont Institute Library
Phone:  306-347-4117
Email:  kim.kovacs@gdi.gdins.org 

Melissa Bennett
Saskatchewan Legislative Library
Phone:  306-787-2277
Email: mbennett@legassembly.sk.ca 

Susan Baer
Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Library
Phone:  306-766-3830
Email:  susan.baer@rqhealth.ca 

Melanie Hodges Neufeld
Law Society of Saskatchewan Library
Phone:  306-569-8020
Email: melanie@lawsociety.sk.ca 

Amy Rankin
RCMP Learning Resource Centre
Phone:  639-625-3537
Email:  amy.rankin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca 

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CASLS

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