Michigan eLibrary (MeL) Growing Pains and Gains

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Michigan eLibrary (MeL) Growing Pains and Gains

• 21st Annual Computers in Libraries
• March 23, 2006

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Sheryl MaseDirector of Statewide Services
Presenter

• Library of Michigan
• Department of History, Arts and Libraries

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A Little MeL History

• Began with
• a collection of Internet resources selected by
  librarians in the days of WAIS and Lynx
• and AccessMichigan
• a project to provide a core set of commercial
  licensed databases to Michigan's libraries
• LSTA subgrants pilot projects MiLE InMICH
• laid groundwork for the current MeLCat resource
  sharing system

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MeL Vision

• All Michigan residents will have access to the
  information they need, when they need it, and in
  the format they desire.

MeL Funding
Primarily via federal LSTA funds administered by
the Library of Michigan
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The Players

• Library of Michigan
• Michigan Library Consortium
• Michigan Department of Information Technology
  (DIT)
• Coops, REMCs, academic groups, associations, etc.
  of all types of libraries throughout Michigan

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MeL Internet

• Collection of librarian-selected resources
  arranged by subject with special emphasis on
  Michigan
• One of the first Internet subject collections
  - worldwide usage
• Converted to a database in 2003
• 25,000 HTML pages selected by
• subject specialists

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MeL Databases

• 3.6 million worth of commercial databases for
  all types of libraries and their users
• 40 databases, 15k e-books, 53 practice tests,
  over 45,000 indexed magazines and newspapers,
  9,000 of which are full text, producing millions
  of articles
• Access at local library/school or via the web
  with a Michigan drivers license or state ID card

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MeLCat (Michigan eLibrary Catalog)

• Vision a web-based statewide multi-type library
  catalog and resource-sharing system in which all
  libraries, regardless of their local ILS, can
  participate
• Web access to statewide catalog of library
  holdings
• Users access the catalog 24 x 7 and make
  self-initiated requests for books from any
  provider to be delivered locally

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Two ways to go

• Pilot projects informed the decision
• It started with 22 libraries in January 05 and
  is projected to expand to 550 libraries over the
  next five years. MeLCat has
• More than 6 million unique titles
• Over 14 million holdings
• All types of libraries

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MeLCat Libraries

• Public 58
• Academic 16
• School 4
• Special 1
• TOTAL 79
• Adding 26 libraries this winter will soon
  have 105 total participating

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Local Systems and MeLCat

• Local systems working with MeLCat
• Innovative Millennium
• Dynix Classic and Horizon
• Sirsi Unicorn
• Sagebrush Athena and Spectrum
• Follett CircPlus and Destiny
• TLC Library.Solution
• Auto-Graphics Verso
• Systems being added
• Endeavor Voyager and Sagebrush InfoCentre

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MeLCat compared to other state systems

• Other states have statewide systems for a single
  type of library (academic, public, school, etc.)
• Other states have multitype systems using the
  same automation vendor for their ILS
• MeLCat is multitype and does not necessitate a
  common ILS

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Current MeLCat Environment
Non-Innovative Local server
III local system
Workstation at non-Innovative local library
DCB server
MeLCat Central
Patron
Data drop
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The MeLCat Environment with NCIP
Non-Innovative Local server
III local system
Workstation at non-Innovative local library
DCB server
MeLCat Central
Patron
Data drop
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Policies, procedures, etc.

• Model of statewide participation, task forces
  created for purpose, then dissolved
• Catalog policies committee
• Resource sharing committee
• Blog for enhancement requests, user conference
  once a year

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MeL Delivery

• Statewide delivery system in place via a contract
  with ProMed - links to existing systems within
  library cooperatives, REMCs, etc.
• Connects all types of libraries and delivers
  materials to Michigans library users Goal 24
  to 48 hour turnaround
• Currently 346 libraries in program
• MeLCat libraries are required to participate

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MeL Digital

• Vision to provide online access to digitized
  resources available across the state via a common
  interface
• The Making of Modern Michigan is currently
  available as a MeL resource
• The Michigan Statewide Digitization Task Force
  has formulated a grant program to progress
  statewide digitization efforts

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MeL Search Gateway

• Gateway includes a federated search engine,
  MetaFind, which allows a search to be conducted
  across the various resources simultaneously
• Focus groups used
• Usability testing soon
• Gains and losses with federated search

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MeL Federated Searching

• Search first, authenticate second
• Use the Search for box on the gateway page for
  a quick search
• Use MeL Advanced Search for customized searching

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Whats on the horizon?

• MyMel
• Open URL
• Non-returnables on MeLCat
• Something better than federated searching?

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MeL Information Websitehttp//michigan.gov/mel

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Marketing

• Partners
• Need to stop talking to ourselves
• Bumper stickers if you cant afford billboards

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QUESTIONS???

• Please ask!

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Library of Michigan Department of History, Arts
Libraries
http//mel.org