TAL Card - Information for Borrowers

Am I Eligible for a TAL Card?
Only a library's primary clients will be issued a TAL card. The following conditions must be met in order to be eligible:

Public Library Clients

• Your public library is a member of The Alberta Library.
• Your public library is a participant in the TAL Card program.
• You are a resident of the municipality where your home library is located, or your municipality is a member of a regional library system.
• You are currently eligible to borrow materials from your public library.

Post-Secondary Institution Library Clients

• Your institution's library is a member of The Alberta Library.
• Your institution's library is a participant in the TAL Card program.
• You are a current student, faculty member or staff member at the post-secondary institution.

Where Do I Get my TAL Card?
Visit your library and complete an application form. You must be a member in good standing at your library and your library must be a participating library. You will then receive an Alberta Library Card, which you can use to borrow materials at any participating library. Special restrictions may apply to library card holders under the age of 18.

How Do I Use My TAL Card?

• When you wish to borrow materials, present your TAL Card at the lending library. You may also need another piece of ID.
• You will be registered as a borrower at that library. A barcode for that library will be placed on your card. You can be registered at as many libraries as you wish to use.
• TAL Card holders will not be charged a fee when borrowing books from participating libraries outside their home library.

Are the Loan Conditions the Same for All TAL Card Libraries?

• No! It is your responsibility to make yourself familiar with the conditions of loan at each of the libraries from which you borrow. The lending policies of the library you borrow the materials from take priority and will apply to all persons using The Alberta Library Card.
• Restrictions may apply.
• You may have up to five items on loan at any time from each participating library and renewals are not normally permitted.
• Each library has its own rules as to what materials you can borrow and in some cases, it may only be books that are available to you.
• You are responsible for the materials you borrow and for fines incurred no matter which library you borrow from. You must pay those fines directly to the library where you borrowed.
• You may return the materials to any library that participates in the Alberta Library Card program.
• If you are unable to return an item on time or if you have lost or damaged it, report this immediately to the lending library. The library will advise you of the steps you should take.
  Local Lending Policies
  

What if I Lose My Card or I Move to a New Address?
If your card is lost or stolen, ensure that you report it immediately to your home library and to all the other libraries at which you have registered. Report any change of address to all the libraries you use.