Blocks

Peace Library System has many types of materials that it loans on request to libraries to supplement their own collections on a temporary basis. The items are lent in blocks as a single unit. For more information, please contact Duncan Lotoski at dlotoski@peacelibrarysystem.ab.ca

Borrowing Procedures

To place a request on a kit or block please:

1. Check the availability of preferred Kit/Block with the TRACKING SHEETS

2. Place your request, using this GOOGLE FORM

  • 1 request per form

Submitted forms will be sent to Duncan (dlotoski@peacelibrarysystem.ab.ca).

You will receive a confirmation email with the confirmed lending dates and additional resources, specific to your request. 

Checking In/Out through Polaris

Blocks: check in each item to change status from "in-transit" to "in" (Check the Polaris Procedures below)

PLS Equipment: DO NOT check in items. Checking in/out of items is done at PLS HQ 

Programming Kits: DO NOT check in items. Checking in/out of items is done at PLS HQ

Storytime Kits: DO NOT check in items. Checking in/out of items is done at PLS HQ

Please Note: Should a book be declared lost or ruined beyond repair, it is your library's responsibility to reimburse PLS. 

Click HERE for a tutorial on the Blocks and Kits borrowing procedure. 

Book Blocks

Rotating blocks of books are available for PLS member libraries to borrow for a 6-month loan period. The Playaway block (AUD600) and Seasonal blocks (Christmas, Easter, etc.) are available for a 3-month loan period.

Mixed Adult Fiction & Non-Fiction

AUD100

AUD101

AUD102

AUD103

AUD104

AUD105

AUD106

AUD107

AUD108

AUD109

AUD110

AUD111

AUD112

AUD113

Juvenile / Family

AUD200

(Family Road Trip)

Western

AUD300

AUD301

AUD302

AUD303

Mystery

AUD400

AUD401

Romance

AUD500

AUD501

AUD502

Playaway

Playaways are pre-loaded audiobook devices that allow patrons to take them anywhere! Each playaway comes with a AAA battery. Playaways have a universal headphone jack and are not compatible with bluetooth devices. (Headphones are not included)

AUD600

4 DAISY Readers are available for member libraries to borrow. 

AUD900

AUD901

AUD902

AUD903

Fall

SEA100

SEA101

(Diverse Fall Holidays)

Winter

SEA200

(Diverse Fall / Winter Holidays)

Spring

SEA300

(Diverse Spring / Summer Holidays)

SEA301

(Diverse Spring Holidays)

Summer

SEA400

Christmas

SEA500

SEA501

SEA502

SEA503

SEA504

SEA505

SEA506

SEA507

SEA508

SEA509

SEA510

SEA511

SEA512

SEA513

SEA514

SEA515

SEA516

SEA517

SEA518

SEA519

SEA520

SEA523

SEA524

SEA525

Easter

SEA600

SEA601

Halloween

SEA700

SEA701

Pride

SEA800

When a block is prepared for your library, the “Assigned branch” field in each item record is changed from Peace Library System to your library branch name. The items are then “checked in” at PLS, which puts each item in the block “in transit” to you.

When you receive the box of books, check in each item, to change the status from “in-transit” to “in”, and circulate the items to patrons in your library or to fill ILL requests. As long as your library is the “assigned branch” the books will return to you from wherever they are borrowed and/or returned.

To return the block to PLS, use the list provided to ensure all the items are in the box, and they have been checked “in”. If an item is checked “out”, the block can still be returned and when the assigned branch is changed back to Peace Library System, any circulating items will return to our branch when they are checked “in”.

In the event that an item is returned while your library is still the “assigned branch” (in between the time when you send it back and when we make PLS the assigned branch), the message to put the item “in transit” to PLS will not occur, please hold on to the item and check it “in” again in a few days.

Please include a note if there are items not returned with the block. PLS will send a confirmation e-mail to you listing the items still to be returned.

Book Club Kits

Peace Library System has developed 4 Book Club Kits designed to help libraries looking for books by Indigenous authors. Each kit has multiple copies of the title along with a binder including potential discussion questions. The titles available and the procedures for borrowing/returning and using the kits are below:

  • The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
  • Sanaaq by Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk
  • Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga
  • Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese (Book & Movie Kit - Includes 10 copies of the 2017 film Indian Horse)
Book Club Kits

  1. The Loan Period for each kit is 28 days. They may be renewed twice for a 28 day period.
  2. Each kit will consist of 15 copies of the title, a binder with a sign-out sheet, and potential discussion questions.
  3. When you receive the kit, please check that all items are included.
  4. Before returning the kit, please check that all items are included.
  5. The kits must be returned to Peace Library System after each use. Do not pass the kit to a patron or another library. The contents will be checked at Peace Library System before the kits are loaned out and after they come back from being borrowed.
  6. Lost or damaged items will be invoiced to the borrowing library.

Procedure for Using the Book Club Kits

  1. Use the included Sign-Out Sheet in the binder to manually sign out copies to patrons. Make sure you sign out the same copy number on the book as recorded on the Sign-Out Sheet. For example, if you give your patron copy #5 of The Marrow Thieves, make sure to record the patron information on the Sign-Out Sheet for copy #5.
  2. Do not remove the pages from the binder. If they are needed, please photocopy them for your own use.
  3. The Discussion Questions included in the binder are simply suggestions. You do not have to use them.

Read Alberta Books

The Read Alberta Books Travelling Display was developed in partnership with the Writers’ Guild of Alberta and the Book Publishers Association of Alberta, with promotional materials adapted from Parkland Regional Library. Each block contains nominees and winners from WGA's Alberta Alberta Literary Awards and the BPAA's Alberta Book Publishing Awards

Read Alberta

SEA900

(2016)

SEA901

(2017)

SEA902

(2019)

Receive It:

Your library will receive the display kit on your van run or in the mail (for mail-only libraries). The kit includes:

  • A selection of 20-30 titles from the display 
  • Promotional posters
  • A catalogue of items in the display
  • Book display stands to assist you in setting up your display

Use It:

Set up the display in your library. Add related books from your own collection. Advertise the new display in your library communications. Check out titles to patrons. Keep the display rack as full as possible.

Return It:

Return display materials to Peace Library System on or before the due date.