Frequently Asked Questions

How do I log in to my library account? What's my PIN?

Click here to go to the login page. Your library account number (or borrower ID) is the barcode number on your library card (it is a 14-digit number starting with "21000"). Enter this number with no spaces.

Your PIN may be the last four digits of your phone number, or may be something else you have chosen. If you have forgotten your PIN, or if you are having trouble logging in, please visit the library (with some ID), and a staff member will help you.

How do I log out of my library account?

Click on the big red X icon or the "Logout" link at the top of the page (on the right). If you are using a public computer, always log out of your library account when you are finished.

How do I renew an item I have checked out (to extend the loan period)?

First, log in to your library account (see instructions above). Once logged in, you will see the Account Overview page. Click on "Items Out" (or click on "Checked Out" at the top of the screen). Then click in the check-box next to the item(s) you wish to renew, and click on the "Renew" button at the top or bottom of the page.

Phone or visit the library to have a staff member renew items for you.

You will not be able to renew an item if: another person has requested it, you have already renewed it twice, the item came from a library outside Parkland Regional Library, or your library card expires before the end of the renewal period.

How do I request an item from the library?

Find the item you wish to borrow in our catalogue. Click here to go to our catalogue.

Once you've found the item you want, click on the "Request Item" button. If you are not already logged in, you will be prompted for your borrower ID and PIN. For "Borrower ID," type in your 14 digit library card number (it starts with "21000"). Then click on the "Login" button.

Next, you will see a "Request Confirmation" page. Here you can choose where you would like to pick up the item, or you can provide your address and have it mailed directly to your home. (We are not able to mail CDs and DVDs.) When you're finished, click on the "Request" button.

Alternatively, phone or visit the library and ask staff to request an item for you.

How do I request a specific copy of a title? (e.g. a particular disc in a season DVD set, or a specific magazine issue)

Find the item you wish to borrow in our catalogue. Click here to go to our catalogue.

Once you've found the item you want, click on the title to view the item details. Then under "Copy/Holding Information," click on the "Request Copy" link next to the specific copy you wish to request.

If you are not already logged in, you will be prompted for your borrower ID and PIN. For "Borrower ID", type in your 14 digit library card number (it starts with "21000"). Then click on the "Login" button.

Next, you will see a "Request Confirmation" page. Here you can choose where you would like to pick up the item, or you can provide your address and have it mailed directly to your home. (We are not able to mail CDs and DVDs.) When you're finished, click on the "Request" button.

Alternatively, phone or visit the library and ask staff to request an item for you.

I'm trying to request an item in the catalogue and I get a message saying "All the items in this bib are bookable. Book a copy of this bib from the full bib page." What does this mean?

This message means we do not have any copies of the item. Occasionally, an item may appear in our catalogue even though there are no copies in the system. In such a case, the message "No item information" appears below the green "Copy/Holding information" bar. The "No item information" message indicates that there are no copies owned within Parkland Regional Library.

You may request any item not owned by a Parkland library as an interlibrary loan through TAL Online. Ask library staff for assistance if you need help requesting an interlibrary loan.

There is a message on my library account saying my hold was cancelled and reinserted into the queue. What does this mean?

Local library members have priority when requesting items owned by their library. For example: Camrose, Lacombe, and Stettler all own a copy of a book, and the books are checked out. Sylvan Lake does not own the book. A member of Sylvan Lake library requests the book, and then a Lacombe library member requests the book. Lacombe's copy becomes available, and the Lacombe member's hold is given priority over the Sylvan Lake member's hold. The Sylvan Lake member will receive a message saying "Hold cancelled and reinserted in queue."

Can I suggest a book, CD, DVD, or magazine for the library to purchase?

We love suggestions! Suggestions from our members help us grow our collections to serve our communities better. You can make suggestions in person, by phone at 403.845.2042, or by email.

Can I borrow eBooks/eAudiobooks from the library?

Parkland Regional Library offers both eBooks and eAudiobooks. All of these titles are also in our catalogue, and you may find them there as well as on the NetLibrary site.

You will need your library card number and PIN in order to check out and download eBooks or eAudiobooks. If you are not sure what your PIN is, try the last four digits of your phone number. If that does not work, please visit the library for help.

You may read or listen to eBooks and eAudiobooks on a PC or a Mac. If you would like to read or listen to them on a portable device (such as a Kobo or iPod), check out our instructions and chart of compatible devices.

I can't access eBooks/eAudiobooks on my computer or device. Where can I get technical support?

Please contact NetLibrary directly at 1.800.758.5995 or eptech@ebscohost.com.

The book/CD/DVD I want is not in the Parkland system! How can I borrow it?

Suggest it to the library as a purchase, and/or request it as an interlibrary loan.

You may make interlibrary loan requests at the TAL Online site. The library can borrow CDs and DVDs from many other libraries in Alberta, and can borrow books from other libraries throughout North America. There is no charge to borrow items from other libraries in Alberta or to borrow from other public libraries in Canada. If there is a fee to borrow a particular book, you will be informed of the amount and asked if you are willing to pay.

If you cannot find a book you want on TAL Online, ask library staff to enter the request for you. TAL Online only searches library catalogues within Alberta, but we are able to borrow books from outside the province as well.

The eBook/eAudiobook I want is not in the Parkland system! How can I borrow it?

Suggest it to the library as a purchase!

Why doesn't my interlibrary loan request appear on my library account when I log in?

Interlibrary loan requests are managed separately from requests for items held in Parkland. If you would like to inquire about the status of your interlibrary loan request, please contact your library or Interlibrary Loan Services at ill@prl.ab.ca.

If I am visiting another town in Alberta, can I borrow books from the library there?

Yes! Your Parkland Regional Library card is a TAL Card, which you may use at most public libraries and even at university/college libraries throughout the province. Depending on the library, you may be limited to borrowing books, or you may be able to borrow other types of materials as well. Click here for the list of participating libraries and for information on local lending policies.

Can I return items borrowed from one library in Alberta to another library in Alberta?

Yes, you may return items borrowed from one Alberta library to any other Alberta library. The items will then be forwarded to their home library. They will not be checked in until they are returned to their home library or home system, but when they are checked in, the "returned" date will be backdated to the day on which you actually returned the items (to avoid charging you overdue fines for the period after which you returned them).