PETOSKEY — The Petoskey District Library is joining more than 400 libraries in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Michigan eLibrary Catalog (MeLCat) and interlibrary loan service.
MeLCat has grown from 12-member libraries to more than 435 over the past two decades, amassing holdings of over 34 million items, according to a press release from the Petoskey District Library.
The Petoskey District Library has been a member of MeLCat since 2008, filling more than 68,875 requests for patrons.
“MeLCat provides a great resource to libraries of all sizes and enables libraries to share their resources to better serve their patrons,” State Superintendent Michael F. Rice said in the release. “Its expansion over the years, both in libraries and resources, is a testament to its value to Michiganders across the state.”
Available at mel.org/melcat, MeLCat serves more than 435 public, school, academic and special libraries with various automation systems.
“Since 2005, MeLCat has filled more than 16 million requests, with an average request fill rate of 93%,” state librarian Randy Riley said in the release. “MeLCat provides a wonderful collection of resources — books, audio, movies, music and more — to libraries and their patrons across the state.”
The Midwest Collaborative for Library Services has been an important partner in MeLCat’s development since 2005, continuing support and training for member libraries.
“Supporting the MeLCat infrastructure that helps hundreds of libraries borrow and lend over one million items per year to provide people in their communities the materials they need for learning, growth and recreation has been, and continues to be, a great privilege for the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services,” Scott Garrison, executive director of the organization, said in the release. “We so appreciate the opportunity to serve the Library of Michigan and the hundreds of Michigan libraries that participate in MeLCat,”
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Midwest Collaborative for Library Services and Library of Michigan staff work with MeLCat member libraries to ensure that requested library materials move around Michigan in a timely and efficient manner to those who need them.
The goal of the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) is to provide equitable access to a comprehensive array of high-quality information resources for Michigan residents. Using MeLCat as a discovery tool fosters collaboration among libraries and other organizations to enhance knowledge-sharing and ensure resources, including special, unique or historical materials, are available to all, regardless of geographic or economic barriers.
For more information about how you can benefit by using MeLCat, call (231) 758-3100 or visit petoskeylibrary.org.
— This story was created by reporter Karly Graham, kgraham@petoskeynews.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey library among more than 400 in the state celebrating 20 years of MeLCat
Reporting by Petoskey News-Review Staff / The Petoskey News-Review
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