Michigan eLibrary (MeL) Growing Pains and Gains 21 st Annual Computers in Libraries March 23, 2006

Sheryl Mase Director of Statewide Services Library of Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries Presenter:

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

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

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

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 ,000 HTML pages selected by subject specialists

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 driver’s license or state ID card

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

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

MeLCat Libraries Public 58 Academic16 School 4 Special 1 TOTAL …………… 79 Adding 26 libraries this winter – will soon have 105 total participating

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

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

DCB server “Data drop” III local system Workstation at non-Innovative local library Current MeLCat Environment Non-Innovative Local server MeLCat Central Patron

DCB server “Data drop” III local system Workstation at non-Innovative local library The MeLCat Environment with NCIP Non-Innovative Local server MeLCat Central Patron

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

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 Michigan’s library users Goal: 24 to 48 hour turnaround Currently 346 libraries in program MeLCat libraries are required to participate

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

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

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

What’s on the horizon? MyMel Open URL Non-returnables on MeLCat Something better than federated searching?

MeL Information Website:

Marketing Partners Need to stop talking to ourselves Bumper stickers if you can’t afford billboards

QUESTIONS??? Please ask!

Library of Michigan Department of History, Arts & Libraries