Knowledge Base: Library Help

Patrons from Other Libraries

Persons who reside within participating system boundaries may obtain a card at a system library other than the one in their own municipality, at the discretion of the Library Manager of that library. That library’s policies will apply when issuing the card. Patrons are encouraged to register at the library in their own municipality in order to support it with their registration fee. Peoples on Reserves can go to any library within NLLS and receive their card at the same cost that residents from the local municipality pay.

Persons who reside in a participating system of TRAC are to register at a library within their own system. This is because systems individually subscribe to and pay for e-Resources based on their own population counts and not on the counts of other systems’ residents.

Persons who reside within TRAC boundaries and present a valid TRAC card do not need to be registered to use them at your library.

Patrons who have moved to your municipality from another participating system in TRAC may already have a patron record in Polaris. The home library will need to be changed to allow staff to update information in it - see the FAQ for the procedure.

Non-Resident Cards

• Northern Lights Library System (NLLS) encompasses a specific geography. Within that geography, there are a number of municipalities that are not yet members of the system.  Municipalities eligible for membership are outlined in Schedule A of our Master Agreement. Residents of non-participating municipalities are not eligible for membership in Northern Lights Library System or The Regional Automation Consortium.
• Individuals living outside NLLS’s regional boundaries are not eligible for membership. They should be redirected to the system or library in their area.
• NLLS libraries are free to offer local library memberships according to their policies

The Regional Automation Consortium (TRAC)

4. Individuals from non-participating municipalities are not eligible for a TRAC card. They will have:

1. No ability to place holds on TRACpac
2. No ability to renew items on TRACpac
3. No access to managing their account on TRACpac
4. No access to databases or eResources provided by TRAC or NLLS

Limited Services cards restrict the number of items out and overdue, and block the ability of a patron to place holds or access databases due to licensing restrictions.

1. Create a record for the patron in Polaris, making sure a record does not already exist.
2. Choose the Patron Code of “Limited Services”.
3. The “Where They Live” field will either be their municipality or select “Not in the List”.
4. Charge the Non-Resident fee or associated fee.

ME Libraries

Patrons who have a ME Libraries card are able to use their home library cards at other libraries. A patron who has signed up with TRAC on the ME website will already be in Polaris. Simply scan the patron’s home library card’s barcode in order to check items out – you do not need to register the patron manually. Libraries must treat ME patrons like local cardholders in terms of the number and format of physical items they are allowed to check out. Patrons can sign up online, and this can be done on the spot when the patron visits any library. However, patrons under 18 require parental consent and therefore must register in person. It may take a few minutes for the registration to take effect. Make sure that the patron belongs to a participating library. The non-participants within Alberta are: La Crete, Fort Vermilion, Veteran, Willingdon, and Zama.

TAL Cardholders

Persons who present a valid TAL card from outside of TRAC need to have a patron record created for them in Polaris. TAL cards will only be presented by members of an academic library within Alberta or from Lloydminster through the reciprocal agreement with Northern Lights[1]. TAL cardholders are limited to 10 items out, 10 items overdue and are not able to place holds or access databases. Typically, TAL cardholders are limited to only borrowing books; however, this is dependent on local policy. No fees are imposed on TAL cardholders.

1. Create a patron record in Polaris, making sure a record does not already exit.
2. The Patron Code will be “TAL Cardholder”.
3. Enter 0000 as their password.
4. The “Where They Live” field will be either their county or “Not in the List.”
5. Place the system patron barcode on the inside of their physical TAL card.

Out of Province

Persons from other provinces may be issued a temporary card if they are residing within the municipality. This is done at the discretion of the library, and local fees and policies apply. Temporary cardholders are limited to 10 items out, 10 items overdue, 10 local holds, and no access to databases. The card term is usually 3-6 months.

1. Create a patron record in Polaris, making sure a record does not already exit.
2. The Patron Code will be “Limited Services”.
3. Leave the password blank or enter 0000.
4. The “Where They Live” field will be “Out of Province”.