Saskatoon Public Library

It was renamed after Alice Turner McFarland who was a library employee for 37 years and chief librarian from 1981 to 1989.

It opened in 1961 and is named after James Stuart Wood, who was born in England in 1891 and worked as a college librarian before enlisting in the British Army.

He came to Canada with his family in 1925, teaching in Nipawin and Prince Albert before taking the role of Chief Librarian at SPL in 1938.

A naming ceremony was held on February 10, 2017, attended by community members, library officials, and Ahenakew’s family.

[11] Dr. Ahenakew’s work in documenting and revitalizing the Cree language is widely recognized, and the library's renaming serves as a lasting tribute to her legacy.

[14] It is named after R. H. "Rusty" Macdonald,[15] journalist, author, photographer and dedicated library trustee (1960-1981).

Located at 321 2nd Avenue North, the new library is designed to serve Saskatoon’s growing community by providing a state-of-the-art facility focused on learning, innovation, and cultural engagement.

[18][19] The 120,000-square-foot building's design is inspired by Indigenous cultures, featuring a Plains First Nations tipi-inspired exterior and a Métis log cabin-style interior.

Initial budget constraints led to design adjustments, but construction remains on schedule, with the library expected to open by mid-2027.