Longtime Regina Public Library employee honoured with literacy award

After years of service with the Regina Public Library, recently retired Judy Craig, is being honoured for her leadership and innovation.

Craig is the recipient of the 2018 Council of Federation Award, recognizing her success in promoting family literacy, engaging pre-kindergarten teachers, families and children while connecting them to resources encouraging literacy development.

It’s been her life for the past 35 years.

“Obviously, it’s a great honour and completely unexpected. It’s been wonderful to think that I’ve been recognized for something I’ve felt very passionate about over the years,” said Craig.

It was 1987 when she began training tutors to work with the country’s newcomers. Since then, she has played a crucial role in developing the library’s literacy programming.

During her time with the Regina Public Library, she began a program where she would visit pre-kindergarten classrooms around the city on Family Day.

The program stressed to parents the importance of developing early literacy skills for children as they begin their educational journey.

“They need to be in the very best place they can be as they start school, because it’s such an important part of the rest of their lives,” said Craig.

A vision shared by the province.

“Judy’s leadership in developing family literacy in our province has been invaluable. I want to congratulate Judy for this well-deserved honour,” said Gordon Wyant, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education.

Craig will formally be presented with the award in the fall, during a ceremony held by the Government of Saskatchewan.