The Saskatoon Public Library is honouring two people after a $1.5 million donation to the new central library.

The SPL will honour Cheryl and Henry Kloppenburg by naming the auditorium after the pair.

Director of Libraries & CEO at SPL Carol Shepstone says she’s certain the new auditorium will be a vibrant space that creates connection.

“Whether people come to this space to see a musical performance, participate in citizenship ceremonies, or the myriad of events in-between the experience this auditorium makes possible will undoubtedly enrich and connect our community.”

The Cheryl and Henry Kloppenburg Auditorium will have 176 seats and will be featured on the fourth floor of the library.

Cheryl Kloppenburg says both her and Henry chose to donate because they had grown up as bookworms who loved the library.

“We were kids that had always had our noises in books, we were constantly scouring book stores and second hand books, and we loved going into libraries.”

She explains that they had made the decision back in 2022 prior to Henry’s passing.

The pair have made other contributions to art and literacy in the province, including academic awards, donated art to the University of Saskatchewan, establishing the Cheryl and Henry Kloppenburg Award for Literary Excellence, as well as donating 159 acres of native prairie land to establish a wildlife refuge near Humboldt.