Background
Marigold, Northern Lights Library System, Peace Library System and Yellowhead Regional Library share a database and automated service named TRAC – The Regional Automation Consortium. TRAC is a not-for-profit society with the legal name of The Regional Libraries Computer Automation Systems Consortium (TRAC) Society.

Marigold is a member of The Alberta Library (TAL). TAL is a multitype library consortium offering the citizens of Alberta access to a wide variety of information.

(see definitions at the bottom of this page)

 
 The Power of the TRAC/TAL Card

• The TRAC/TAL card provides full and equal access to all member libraries and defined access for adults to all libraries participating in The Alberta Library (TAL) card program.  
• Marigold’s membership in TRAC allows cardholders to borrow library resources, place holds and renew items through TRAC member libraries and the four headquarters.
• Marigold’s membership in TAL (levy based on population) allows adult cardholders who are primary clients to borrow material from any participating library in the province.

  
Who is elegible for a TRAC/TAL card?

• Anyone living in a municipality participating in Marigold is eligible for a TRAC/TAL card and may obtain the card at the library of their choice.  For example, a resident of Foothills MD can get a card in Drumheller.
• Customers agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the member library.
• Anyone living in a non-participating municipality but living within Marigold boundaries is eligible for a TRAC/TAL card upon payment of an annual non-resident fee.  The non-resident card is for TRAC use only.  Some TRAC restrictions apply.  

  
How to get a TRAC/TAL card

• All member libraries issue TRAC/TAL cards to anyone residing within Marigold boundaries. (see map)
• Local boards determine local fees.
• Marigold headquarters issues TRAC/TAL cards to Paperbacks-by-Mail customers (call 1-800-332-1077).
• No fees are charged for TRAC/TAL cards issued by headquarters (except for the non-resident fee).
• Non-resident TRAC/TAL cards can be used at TRAC libraries only.  Restrictions include:
  • no remote patron access to e-resources (electronic databases)
  • no self service (customer-initiated online transactions) 

  

---

Definitions
 
Non-resident  A non-resident customer is a person who resides in a municipality that does not participate in the Marigold Library System, but is eligible to do so (residents of Banff, ID 9, Crossfield and Veteran are considered non-residents within Marigold's boundaries). The current fee for a non-resident card is $70 - see restrictions above.

Primary Client  Resident of Marigold:  “A resident of a municipality which operates a library and which is represented in membership in The Alberta Library through the regional requisition to TAL. Also residents of municipalities which are regional system members but which do not operate a library are considered as primary clients of any one municipality in the system operating a library, as chosen by the patron.”

E-resources (Electronic Databases)  Online resources such as Career Crusing, Hobbies and Crafts, Auto Repair, etc).