The first two policy committees for the MeLCat Project will be set up by the end of the year, so they can begin meeting in January 2004. The two key policy areas we need to tackle right away are statewide catalog policies and resource sharing policies.

Nominations are due by Dec. 15 to Louise Bugg at Michigan Library Consortium, 1407 Rensen, Suite 1, Lansing, MI 48910; fax: (517) 394-2096.

MeL Catalog Policies Committee

Charge: To advise the MeLCat Administrator and Project staff on policies for the statewide catalog, including database standards; record loading; records for statewide electronic resources; user interface design, e.g., indexes, scopes, display, naming conventions; user services provided; problem reporting; standards enforcement; and evaluation.

Expertise needed: cataloging, online catalog design and shared catalog creation and management.

MeL Resource-Sharing Policies Committee

Charge: To advise the MeL Cat Administrator and Project staff on policies for statewide resource sharing, including resource-sharing services provided; fees and reimbursement; borrowing and lending; reciprocal borrowing; load balancing among participating libraries; participation options and requirements; patron record standards and privacy; and evaluation.

Expertise needed: interlibrary loan, circulation and resource sharing in shared systems.

These committees will meet monthly, or as needed, and will take advantage of technology to reduce travel required of members. Each will have about 10 members, representing a variety of types of libraries and library automation systems from around the state. Members will be asked to serve two-year staggered terms, beginning January 2004. The chair, who will also serve on the MeLCat Advisory Board to be formed, will be appointed by Randy Dykhuis and committee members will be selected in consultation with the chair.

Updated 01/09/2006