Regional Libraries
There are seven regional libraries in the province. A regional library represents a group of cities, towns, villages and rural municipalities that have joined together to deliver library services. These municipalities create a regional library, operated from a central location. Each municipality in the region appoints one representative to serve on a regional library board. This representative must also be a member of the local library board. Because the regional library board may have between 75 to 200 members, the regional library board then elects an executive committee of 9-12 members. The regional library board delegates responsibility to the executive committee for:

• initiating policy development;
• managing the annual budget;
• making recommendations for improvements to the regional library system and its services; and
• hiring a regional library director.

The regional library director is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and for hiring and supervising staff for the regional library and all local branch libraries within the region.

The first public regional library system was established in north central Saskatchewan in 1950. By 1973, seven regional libraries replaced the many random private libraries that existed across the province. The seven regional libraries are:

• Lakeland Library Region - Located in North Battleford
• Wapiti Regional Library - Located in Prince Albert
• Wheatland Regional Library - Located in Saskatoon
• Parkland Regional Library - Located in Yorkton
• Chinook Regional Library - Located in Swift Current
• Palliser Regional Library - Located in Moose Jaw
• Southeast Regional Library - Located in Weyburn

Local Libraries
A local library generally provides library services to two or more municipalities (for example, one urban municipality and one or more rural municipalities). These municipalities appoint members to the local library board (comprised of 5 to 15 members).

The local library board is responsible, among other functions specified in the legislation, for:

• interpreting and implementing policies set by the regional library board;
• recommending programs, materials and services relevant to the local community to the regional library board and library director;
• reporting to and consulting with the municipalities that created the board; and
• performing those duties delegated by the regional library board.

The Regina and Saskatoon Public Libraries
The Regina Public Library (RPL) and the Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) provide material and library services to their city residents. The RPL and SPL were established in 1909 and 1913 respectively.

The Regina Public Library Board and the Saskatoon Public Library Board are corporations. The boards have 7 or 9 members elected by the municipal council. For Regina and Saskatoon, the mayors or a reeve must be one of the members of the municipal library board. Only one other library board member may be a member of council. A member of the municipal library board, other than the mayor, can serve up to two years on the board.

The RPL and SPL also serve as special resource centres and provide advanced reference services to the other public libraries throughout Saskatchewan. They may also:

• develop special library collections and services not ordinarily provided in the regional library or northern library systems;
• co-operate with the Provincial Library in developing province-wide services through interlibrary loan, reciprocal agreements, and collection development planning; and
• administer funds received from the Province, grants, taxation, etc., for any purpose that the board considers necessary to develop library services.

The Northern Library System
The northern library system is a federation of 13 community public libraries. It has the legislated mandate to act as the central library for northern Saskatchewan. It acts as the coordinating agency for all school, regional college, public, and special libraries. The northern library system is coordinated by a board.

The northern library system board is a corporation. It is called Pahkisimon Nuye?ah Library System. The northern library system board has 35 members. A member can serve up to two years on the board. These members are appointed from the following organizations:

• each school division (representing the local school advisory committee or board of education);
• each Indian band that operates a school or northern community public library;
• each northern community public library; and
• each regional college or post-secondary institution board that provides library services.

The northern library system board elects a 9 -11 member executive committee, which hires a library director. The executive committee and library have similar responsibilities as those identified under the regional library system.

Unlike the other public library system boards, the northern library system board requires the approval of the Minister before it can:

• acquire, alter, or dispose of any of its real property;
• borrow money; or
• grant any encumbrance of any kind on its real property.

The 13 Northern Community Public Libraries
The 13 northern community public libraries serve as the public, school, college, and special library. Each northern community public library also has a board (called the northern community public library board) that is appointed by the northern municipalities. Board membership ranges from 5 to 15 members. A member can serve up to two years on the board. The northern community public library boards have the legislated responsibility for hiring the necessary staff for the community libraries.

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 Provincial Library
The Provincial Library is part of the Department of Learning. Under The Public Libraries Act, 1996, the Provincial Library is responsible for:

• acting as the central library for Saskatchewan;
• providing cost-effective and appropriate central services to public libraries;
• developing province-wide library policies and other library advisory functions;
• establishing committees and task forces as necessary to assist in the development and co-ordination of planning services;
• cooperating with individuals and organizations in matters relating to the development, organization and operation of library services;
• administering and updating The Public Libraries Act, 1996, and Regulations as deemed necessary by the Minister; and
• performing any other functions that the minister considers will contribute to the development of the provincial public library system and that are consistent with its objectives.

The Provincial Library also acts as a coordinator and facilitator with the boards in the provincial public library system. The employees of the Provincial Library, including the Provincial Librarian, do not serve on any of the public library system boards.