Sept. 13, 2007

The Library of Michigan has unveiled a revamped Michigan Documents Depository Program. Prompted by state government's continuing reliance on the Internet as the primary means of disseminating information, State Librarian Nancy Robertson chose to revise the program to make it more viable and efficient.

The new Michigan Documents Depository Program has consolidated depository libraries, reducing their number from 54 to 11, and changed the primary format for documents acquired and preserved from print to electronic.

"This new program is a win-win for everyone involved, from library staff to Michigan residents who need state government information," said Robertson. "Users of depository libraries will benefit from having access to the most current information available and working with more knowledgeable library staff. Training and other resources will allow staff of depository and non-depository libraries alike to provide better service to users of state government information, and Library of Michigan staff will spend less time on physical handling of materials and devote more resources to preserving digital state government information."

Selected publications - those included on the Core List of Michigan Documents (standard sources of information for any library in Michigan regardless of size or type) and documents not issued electronically - are still distributed to the depositories in print form. However, the majority of Michigan documents are captured and preserved in digital formats via the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Digital Archive and made available in ANSWER, the Library of Michigan's online catalog, as well as the Michigan eLibrary Catalog (MeLCat) and WorldCat, the world's largest network of library content and services.

The depository libraries selected include the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Northern Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Northwestern Michigan College, Flint Public Library, Monroe County Library System, St. Clair County Library, Calvin College and Oakland County Research Library. The depositories now serve larger service areas, participate in mandatory training and program planning, and agree to enter documents into their local catalogs.

The Library of Michigan's responsibilities include developing mandatory program planning and training activities, evaluating depository performance, and maintaining acquisition and preservation of digital state government information.

"We will continue to work with the Legislature to pass new legislation that will strengthen state government support for the depository program and its new 21st-century focus on digital documents," said Robertson. "The library also is working closely with other Department of History, Arts and Libraries agencies, including the Archives of Michigan and State Records Center, to maximize our effectiveness in preserving state government information."

For more information, visit the Michigan documents section of the Library of Michigan's Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17449_18637---,00.html.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. 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.