The Library of Michigan is working toward the implementation of a statewide resource-sharing system, the MeL Catalog. This system would allow anyone, regardless of location, to see the holdings of any participating library that has included its holdings in the system.

To place a request for a book or other item, the searcher must be a patron in good standing at a participating Michigan library. If the resident’s local library has agreed to participate in the resource-sharing system, he or she would be able to place a request for the item and have it delivered to a designated library.

To plan for the implementation of the MeL Catalog, we need to determine which libraries are interested and/or ready to participate in the shared catalog. To gather the needed information, we will be surveying the library community in December. Library directors will receive a letter in the next few weeks with instructions for completing the survey online. Each letter will include a PIN number that will link the library with its information in a database to be housed at MLC. Your library will be able to use the PIN number and return to your response and update your survey information over time as your situation changes or as more information becomes known.

Libraries who only participate in a shared catalog operated by a cooperative or a consortium will not need to fill out the survey. A letter will be sent to administrators of shared systems with information about how to respond to the survey. A library’s response does not obligate your library to participate in the MeL Catalog, but the information you provide will assist us in assessing readiness statewide. However, if you do wish to participate in the MeL Catalog, your response to the survey is necessary.

Updated 01/09/2006