michigan elibrary (mel) growing pains and gains 21 st annual computers in libraries march 23, 2006
TRANSCRIPT
Michigan eLibrary (MeL) Growing Pains and Gains
21st Annual Computers in Libraries
March 23, 2006
Sheryl MaseDirector of Statewide Services
Library of MichiganDepartment 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 VisionAll Michigan residents will have access to the information they need, when they need it, and in the format they desire.
MeL FundingPrimarily 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 2003 25,000 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 Academic 16 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-InnovativeLocal server
MeLCat
CentralPatron
DCB server
“Data drop”
III local system
Workstation at non-Innovative
local library
The MeLCat Environment with NCIP
Non-Innovative Local server
MeLCat
CentralPatron
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:
http://michigan.gov/mel
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
http://mel.org