EDMONTON, June 23 – Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Community Development, today launched The Alberta Library (TAL) Online.  The new website is a virtual library catalogue that will enable Albertans to search most public library collections in the province for information and resources over the Internet. 

 

“Libraries have been at the forefront of technological advances in the later half of the 20^th century,” said Zwozdesky.  “TAL Online is a major step forward in creating an electronic gateway and information lifeline for many Albertans and advances the concept where ever library is virtually the same size.”

 

One of the first multi-type library interfaces in Canada TAL Online is and unprecedented collaboration between public and post secondary libraries, providing seamless access to information for all Albertans.  Users will be able to locate books from 232 libraries across the province allowing access to over 25 million volumes, and to journals and articles, on hundreds of topics from hobbies to health and business to weather.

 

Alberta Learning and Community Development, Industry Canada, and Western Economic Diversification provided funding for the project.

 

TAL is a consortium of public, private, and post-secondary libraries and adult learning centers representing over 90 percent of library services and collection in the province.  TAL is located at 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton.  For further information call (780) 414-0805.  TAL Online, can be found at www.talonline.ca.

 

TAL Online – Internet Access To Library Materials

 

What Is TAL Online?

 

TAL Online is an Internet-based way to access the materials and electronic resources of most libraries in the province.  In this way, a small local library has the same resources as the largest libraries in the province.

 

What Does It Do?

 

TAL Online allows library patrons the ability to search for books, magazines, CDs, publications, and more from libraries across the province via the Internet.  This provides a single entry point for patrons to access the materials of 232 libraries in Alberta.

What Are The Benefits?

 

Students of all ages, from anywhere in the province, now have access to the best materials available.

 

Business people and professionals can access the latest information on a wide range of topics efficiently and be sure of the sources.

 

All of the resources can be searched simultaneously ensuring maximum results without wasting the users time.

 

Most importantly is a huge step towards barrier free access for all Albertans to the enormous information resources that are available in this province.

 

How Does It Work?

 

Go to www.talonline.ca directly of through your local library’s website, with the keyword, author, or title phrase.  The site will tell the patron what materials are available and where they are located.  Cardholder members can order materials from any library in the province through the library at which they hold a membership.

 

Is It Free?

 

The service is free, although patrons need to have a library membership (card) to order materials and access some of the electronic resources.

Is Anything Available Online?

 

Some materials are available online immediately to library members through licensed electronic databases.  This means that the information comes from quality sources and has been arranged in a way that is easy to search.

 

How Is This Site Funded?

 

Alberta Learning and Alberta Community Development, Industry Canada, and Western Economic Diversification are the funders of TAL Online.

 

Why Would You Use TAL Online?

 

If a patron cannot locate materials in their local library, TAL Online brings the resources of all member libraries to the patron.

 

What If People Don’t Have Home Computers?

 

Public access computers are available in all member libraries and in fact in almost all libraries in Alberta.

 

How Do People Know If Their Local Library Is Participating?

 

The website has a directory, called “find an Alberta Library,” which lists all the participating libraries.

 

What Is TAL?

 

The Alberta Library is a consortium of public and post secondary libraries in Alberta.  TAL is a membership driven organization, whose aim is to remove barriers to information access.  TAL accomplishes this through working collaboratively to maximize resources and creating innovative projects such as TAL Online and TAL Card.

 

***Note: Demonstrations and more information can be obtained by calling Dean Heuman (780) 414-0805.