Getting a Library Account

A valid Public Library account is required to borrow library materials, use wireless or public access computers, or to access TRACPAC or licensed e-resources from home. The Okotoks Public Library requests a small yearly fee to acquire a library account.

Who is eligible?

Anyone residing within an area sponsored by the Marigold Library System is eligible to become a resident library account. Non-residents and institutions (schools, businesses) can also join the library for a fee.

Parents assume responsibility for items borrowed by their minor children. Parents or guardians are required to sign a statement of responsibility at the time of registration for children aged 17 and under either as a single cardholder or as part of a family library account.

What identification do I need?

Personal identification showing legal name and current address is needed to apply for a library account (single or family).

Examples of preferred identification include:

A valid driver’s license
Any piece of personal identification combined with proof of address (i.e. utility bill, phone bill or local tax asessment).

Cardholder Agreement

Statement of Principles

The Okotoks Public Library respects the rights of every library cardholder and subscribes to the principles that uphold freedom of access to information.

Every person of any age who has a Okotoks Public Library card has the right to borrow any circulating item and is eligible for all the services offered by the library.

The Okotoks Public Library is committed to uphold your right to have a library card and to be given full, confidential access to available library resources no matter what political or intellectual atmosphere prevails.

Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for all the materials borrowed on your library card.

Report the loss of your card immediately. You are responsible for all unauthorized use of your card before loss is reported.

You are responsible to ensure your account information (name, phone number, and address) is kept current.

If you lend your library card to others, you are responsible for any charges they may incur. You also understand they may gain access to your library-use records.

Borrowed items must be returned before opening of the next business day after the items are due. You can view a record of the status of items on your account online at www.tracpac.ab.ca, or inquire in-house at the library.

New to town?

If you have just moved to the Okotoks area, we still require a piece of identification with your name and a valid address within our boundaries. Welcome Wagon provides all new residents with information about Okotoks businesses and facilities. A free 3 month family library account is part of the package provided to new residents. Please avail yourself of this free opportunity to join the library.

Change of Address

It is important to keep your account information up to date. If you are moving, or if you have a change in other personal information, please advise the staff at the circulation counter.

Lost or Stolen Card

Protect your library card as you would your credit cards. Lost or stolen cards must be reported immediately to protect yourself if someone else tries to use your card. Anything taken out on your card is your responsibility until the card is reported missing. There is a $1.00 charge to replace a lost card.

Traveling Around the Province?

Okotoks Public Library is a partner in the TAL (The Alberta Library) card initiative.

Your Okotoks Public Library card is a TAL card. With your TAL card you can:

Borrow books from over 240 participating public, university, college and special libraries (some restrictions apply), For a list of participating libraries, or to search their collections, please visit www.talonline.ca

1. TAL cardholder but not a member of TRAC

TAL card members from library systems not in the TRAC system (i.e. Calgary) can:

Borrow up to 10 items from the Okotoks Public Library – any format
May not place hold, or use the inter-library loan service.
Renew renewable items once.
Return items to any participating library.

Items from other libraries returned at Okotoks Library are marked with a received date and mailed back to the lending library. The participating library then backdates the check-in date to this received date.

2. TAL cardholder and a member of TRAC

The Regional Automation Consortium (TRAC) in Alberta is comprised of libraries situated in 4 regional library systems in Alberta. These library systems are: Marigold (Okotoks belongs to this), Yellowhead, Northern Lights and Peace Library Systems. Ask your library if you are unsure whether you are a TRAC - TAL cardholder.
TRAC members with TAL cards can:

Borrow and return items from/to any of the partner libraries. Over 150 libraries at this time!
Place holds and use the inter-library loan service.
Have unlimited access to the collections in all the participating libraries

Forgot your card and still want to borrow items?

We request that you please bring your card with you if you would like to borrow items.

Payment methods

We accept payment in cash or debit. We do not accept payment for fees by cheque. We charge a small fee of 50c per debit transaction.

See Card Prices here.