Feb. 20, 2007

The Library of Michigan and Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) today unveiled "MeL ReMix" - the latest and most content-rich version of the Michigan eLibrary (MeL), at http://mel.org. MeL, the Library of Michigan's 24-hour, "anytime, anywhere" library - with its newly integrated components and services, intuitive navigation and enhanced content - is geared to meet users' information needs for business, school, health, recreation, all things Michigan, and much more.

"No single library has the resources available to meet all customer needs, but the Michigan eLibrary makes it possible for residents anywhere in the state to enhance their personal and professional lives with the best information," said State Librarian Nancy Robertson.

"The Michigan eLibrary caters to the information needs of just about everyone, including students, teachers, business owners, history buffs and health care professionals, no matter where in the state they reside," she said. "MeL effectively makes time and distance irrelevant in the customer's search for top-notch information."

Additionally, Robertson said that MeL's cost-saving appeal cannot be ignored. "If every library in the state were to offer the same set of resources found in MeL, the price tag would come close to $200 million," she said. "In today's belt-tightening times, the Michigan eLibrary's value is both in its content and ease of use, as well as its return on investment for the people of Michigan."

First unveiled to the public with 24-hour remote access in the summer of 2002, the Michigan eLibrary now boasts a number of compelling information tools:

- MeL Pathfinders, dozens of subject searches from agriculture and education to science and the environment;
- MeL Databases, a collection of full-text articles from magazines, journals and newspapers, and digital e-books;
- MeL Catalog (MeLCat), a place to search for and request lending materials from a growing list of participating Michigan libraries;
- MeL Multisearch, a streamlined approach to researching multiple databases; and
- MeL Michigana, a growing collection of digitized historical resources from throughout Michigan and the Archives of Michigan image collections.

Funding for MeL is provided through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and administered by the Library of Michigan.

The Library of Michigan promotes, advocates and consistently works to achieve the highest level of library service to the State of Michigan, its government, its libraries and its residents.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL). Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).