Amanda Lanoway has worked in the non-profit sector for 20 years. A “social problems” course in university motivated her to find ways of using her skills, abilities, and connections to solve social problems and help those in need.

Amanda’s long-time former employment with United Way Regina solidified her commitment to literacy by leading the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) in Regina which focuses on the keystone community outcome in breaking the cycle of poverty: grade-level reading by the end of third grade.

She demonstrates her commitment to helping others through her paid employment as the Volunteer Coordinator at Regina Public Library – connecting newcomer learners to volunteer English language tutors – as well as through her own volunteer commitments with the Rotary Club of Regina, JustServe Regina, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and as Co-Founder of Soup After Dark (SAD), an lnfiNATE Initiative, that fed over 10,000 people during the five coldest months of the year in downtown Regina, with 148 consecutive days of service, from December 4, 2022 to April 30, 2023.

Amanda prides herself on passing along the values of humility, generosity, and dignity for all to her two children.

Harriet Roy recently retired as the Assistant Director of the Pahkisimon Nuyeʔáh Library System, headquartered in Air Ronge, Saskatchewan. Harriet is a mother of 3 and a grandmother to 9. She worked full time in Air Ronge, with many trips across the north and to various communities in the world.

Hired as a Teacher/Librarian in 1996, with a primary goal of working with the schools and communities in the PNLS region, Harriet has shared her passion for reading and lifelong learning through communities across the north. Through her work as a teacher, teacher-librarian and Assistant Director with PNLS, Harriet has also been dedicated to championing literacy and equitable library services in northern Saskatchewan.

In her work, Harriet planned, coordinated, and implemented the annual Northern Reading Program, author tours to northern communities, and donations of books to residents of the north. In addition to her work she has been an active and leading member of organizations including Chairperson for the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples Committee, and the Saskatchewan Reading Council. In her role as Chairperson, Harriet presented at the International Indigenous Librarian’s Forum, and helped to grow the annual Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month Project to it’s province-wide success, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Harriet always tried to provide books as gifts and prizes, especially as, she adds, “I have also always been an avid reader and love stories with a bit of suspense and romance.”

Since settling in Regina, Donna has set up and managed the Regina Immigrant Women’s English language program and taught ESL at the U of R.

As a retired educator, Donna has used her skills to help many newcomers improve their literacy, both through one-to-one tutoring and small group sessions. When Regina welcomed hundreds of Ukrainian refugees, Donna offered her fluency in English and Ukrainian to help with orientation sessions, and by offering a beginner English course. Learning a new language in adulthood is hard work.

Donna uses her lifelong fascination with language to help make that task stimulating and entertaining. As a former refugee herself, Donna’s work with newcomers also focuses on boosting their self-confidence and optimism. Her enthusiasm for teaching makes her classes both lively and interesting. Donna is always on time and always stays late to help students with their questions after class.

As well, Donna has done a lot of volunteering in the local Ukrainian community. After retiring, she cut her volunteer work down to teaching newcomers English because she really, really loves teaching. Decades ago, Canada’s goodwill helped her refugee family. Through this volunteer teaching, Donna is paying it forward. Her past work around the globe and interest in textiles has led to a new absorbing hobby, which is motanka doll making.

Donna is also a voracious reader. Because of downsizing, she’s given away her vast book collection (books take up a lot of space). She now uses the public library to satisfy her reading addiction. That, she says, is why she’s at the library so often. She’s an enthusiastic bike rider and pastry baker. She also says she has a sweet tooth, so the bike riding helps balance the two!

Kylie Phillipchuk is a grade twelve student attending Estevan Comprehensive School in Estevan, Saskatchewan. Throughout her life, Kylie has been very involved with the study of language. She participated in the French immersion program at her school from preschool up to grade ten. By having a second language, Kylie had the opportunity to communicate in a different way and expand her knowledge of language barriers.

This year, Kylie took a creative writing class which she says was very fun and she learned about different techniques in writing. Word choice, how to make writing flow, and techniques which strengthen writing have allowed her to understand and appreciate language more.

When she graduates, Kylie will join the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan where she will study Elementary Education. By going into education, Kylie hopes to change the lives of many kids and benefit the world in a positive way. Kylie hopes to open their eyes to creativity through literature also.

Staff at Kylie’s school and work share how much she contributes to her school, her workplace, and everywhere she volunteers, such as, among others, with the MS Society and the Missoula Children’s Theatre. Kylie goes above and beyond, for example, stepping in for a cooking program promoting everyday literacy skills, or even staying after her shifts at the library to help children find books to further their own love of reading.

This work at the Estevan Public Library fits well, too, with Kylie’s future plans to be an elementary educator. Through her work at the public library, Kylie saw the importance of reading and she is excited to continue teaching kids and sharing this with her future students.

Mo the Elasmosaurus was discovered in 1992, 6 km northeast of Ponteix, by Bob St. Cry, a high school student. This amazing marine reptile was stationed along highway 13 to commemorate the discovery and the fact that this dinosaur swam through what is now known as the prairies of Saskatchewan 70 million years ago.

Using Mo as the mascot brands this program as uniquely southwest. Originally created by Kathryn Foley, the program promotes early literacy and numeracy skills to families. With green screen technology and 6 pounds of plasticine, Mo was brought to life with fun pictures featured in the weekly Mo newsletters, and the certificates given to families at the end of the 5-week family literacy program.

The Mo Family Literacy Program is a hybrid program to provide an understanding of family literacy and its values, showing families how to model literacy skills to their children to aid in their development. Participants attend either in person or online in small groups of parent-child units to allow for personalized time with program facilitators. The Programmer demonstrates a literacy or numeracy skill engaging the children while explaining the method and reason to the parents. The program uses items like alphabet or number toys, or magnetic letters or literacy bins as part of the activities. Each week, every family is given books to help build their own home libraries.

Piloted in 2021, more rural branches are requesting this program, too, as the positive impact has been seen across the Chinook Regional Library area. As one family shared, “My kid is a shy boy, but in this program, I saw him participate in the activities and open his horizon. Before, he doesn’t want to go to school, but now he’s looking forward to it. Keep it up!”

Cheng Fan joined the Regina Public Library Literacy program in 2020. At that time, as he said, he couldn’t speak English well. With help from our Literacy Program and tutors, he has persisted in his English learning and practice, especially English speaking. He borrows numerous books and joins various English learning activities whenever he has any spare time.

In addition to learning and improving his English, he is passionate about serving our communities with enthusiasm. His goal is to give back to the community, and share passion and love. In 2021, he volunteered one day each week to help Habitat for Humanity build 11 units in 3 buildings in the Haultain Crossing project, the second largest Habitat charity project in Canada. Since 2022, he has been volunteering 2 hours a week to help vulnerable people with physical disabilities in Friendship Club, a charity program that is devoted to supporting vulnerable groups. Today, he is coaching children in multiple sports and encouraging them to challenge new skills. In these workplaces, Cheng Fan has improved his language skills daily, and he also forged a strong bond with various local communities.

With the help of the Regina Public Library Literacy Program, Cheng Fan has demonstrated competent language skills by communicating with coworkers, children, and parents. So far, he still keeps learning and participating in library literacy activities. He is someone who loves learning and is a learner who loves the library!