The Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) Board of Trustees is excited to announce the appointment of Carol Shepstone as the new Director of Libraries and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 4, 2024. With an extensive background in both public and academic libraries across Canada, Ms. Shepstone brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and innovation to SPL.
Ms. Shepstone’s distinguished career includes over two decades of senior administrative roles in libraries across the country. Her career began in Saskatchewan at the John M. Cuelenaere Public Library in Prince Albert, followed by several years as Head of Access Services at the University of Saskatchewan. She later became the University Librarian at Mount Royal University in Calgary, where she led the team responsible for building the Riddell Library and Learning Centre, a cornerstone project of the university’s transition from college to university. Most recently, Ms. Shepstone completed a five-year term as Chief Librarian at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she successfully navigated the complexities of a fast-paced urban campus while enhancing the library’s profile and overseeing major renovation initiatives.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Saskatoon to join such an exceptional library team, especially at such an exciting time for Saskatoon Public Library and the city,” said Ms. Shepstone. “I look forward to working with the community, our partners, and the library team to continue the work of building a robust and dynamic public library system that meets the evolving needs of the community.”
Known for her inclusive and collaborative leadership style, Ms. Shepstone is highly regarded for her ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and foster a culture of innovation. Her leadership approach emphasizes community engagement, accountability, and partnership development, making her an ideal fit for SPL’s vision of a modern, responsive public library system.
Jim Siemens, Chair of the SPL Board, expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, noting, “Ms. Shepstone’s return to Saskatoon in this role brings the right combination of experience, vision, and passion to lead Saskatoon Public Library into its next chapter. We are grateful for the input of our staff and community stakeholders, who helped shape the priorities for this important leadership position.”
The Board also wishes to extend its gratitude to Beth Côté, who has served as Interim CEO during the transition. Ms. Côté will continue to serve as Director of Public Services upon Ms. Shepstone’s arrival.
This appointment comes at a pivotal time for SPL, as work on the New Central
Library, set to open in 2027, is well underway. “With the community growing and library membership growing it’s an exciting time to ensure SPL continues to evolve alongside our community,” said Ms. Shepstone.