LIBRARY EDUCATION BURSARY AWARDED

Christina Petrisor from Regina is the successful recipient of the 2003 Library Education Bursary. The new, annual $5,000 bursary offers funding to a student enrolled or accepted in a Master of Library and Information Science program, or equivalent, and who will live and work in Saskatchewan for at least two years after graduating.

"I applaud young people like Christina who pursue professions so critical to the knowledge-based economy," Learning Minister Jim Melenchuk said. "I encourage other students to apply for the 2004 bursary and help us strengthen human resource needs in a profession where we are experiencing a labour market shortage."

"I am eager to return to Saskatchewan after I graduate with my Master's of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta," Christina Petrisor said. "This bursary will help me fulfil my dreams."

"The bursary was designed to recruit and retain professional librarians in Saskatchewan and I am pleased we have started in that direction today," Multitype Library Board Chair Merrilee Rasmussen said. "The board welcomes Christina as the first recipient."

"We are pleased that the bursary program will attract professionals like Christina to Saskatchewan and help address succession planning in the library sector," Saskatchewan Library Association President Michelle Splitter said.

The bursary is established through the partnership between Saskatchewan Learning, the Saskatchewan Library Association and the Multitype Library Board.

The Multitype Library Board has been instrumental in providing Saskatchewan residents with free access to 4,500 online magazines, newspapers and journals. Saskatchewan is the only jurisdiction in Canada to provide this service to all residents.

The Saskatchewan Library Association is a provincial volunteer, non-profit organization designed to further the development of library service in Saskatchewan and through libraries, the culture of the province. Bursary information and applications are available on the Saskatchewan Library Association's Web site at www.lib.sk.ca/sla/ or by calling its office.

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For More Information, Contact:

Joylene Campbell Learning Regina Phone: (306)787-2972	Merrilee Rasmussen Multitype Library Board Regina Phone: (306)352-1641
Michelle Splitter Saskatchewan Library Association Prince Albert Phone: (306)763-8496