Northern Lights Library System

Northern Lights Library System (NLLS) is a partnership between northeastern Alberta libraries and has its headquarters in Elk Point. They work under the mission, “Bringing the world to our communities by collaboratively providing efficient, effective, and exceptional library service”.

Northern Lights Library System serves fifty-four municipalities and forty-seven libraries with a population of 174,483; and seven First Nations and four Métis Settlements with a population of 15,616.

In 1985, following three successful years of cooperation among the five libraries serving the M.D. of Bonnyville area, the Northeast Library Steering Committee was formed to investigate the feasibility of establishing a cooperative library system in the region. It was the belief of the committee that by working together, public libraries in eastern Alberta could better use their material and human resources. Thanks to several years of effort and active lobbying on the part of volunteers and project staff, the Northern Lights Library System was established in April 1990, with provincial operating grants made available the next year.

Northern Lights Library System believes that all citizens should have equitable access to library services. This system is part of TRAC (The Regional Automation Consortium), which is a partnership of Marigold Library System, Northern Lights Library System, Peace Library System, Yellowhead Regional Library, and their member libraries. Using TRACpac, library members can search a combined catalogue of over 170 libraries with holdings of nearly three million books, DVDs and other material.