After much discussion, planning and testing, the Michigan eLibrary (the new MeL) is a reality. The Action Team for Library Advancement Statewide (ATLAS) project groups spent a good part of the past year developing recommendations on how best to enhance the resources the state provides for all libraries and their users.

Operating under the mission that, "Michigan's virtual library will link all Michigan residents to the information they need when they need it, where they need it and in the format they desire," the ATLAS team's findings have helped make MeL a user-friendly, 24-hour-accessible environment. The first round of MeL enhancements (including round-the-clock access with a driver's license or state ID) are complete, with more planned for coming months.

The growing Michigan virtual library has a familiar name, MeL, with a new meaning, Michigan eLibrary, and a familiar logo and Web address: MeL.org. What users see when they visit MeL.org will change as the virtual library grows and as components are added.

This virtual library will not and cannot replace the excellent services of Michigan's local public, school, academic and special libraries. Instead it will enhance these services and provide a core set of resources available everywhere in the state. The virtual library will ultimately include:

• MeL Internet: "Best of the Internet" selected by librarians;
• MeL Electronic magazines, ebooks and more: Commercial resources purchased for Michigan residents by the Library of Michigan;
• MeL Lending Library: Books and more from Michigan libraries to Michigan residents;
• MeL Archives: Local Michigan resources digitized and made available on the Web.

In the future Michigan residents will be able to get to the virtual library from a one-stop portal that will allow the user to search any or all of these components and retrieve or request information materials no matter where the information resides.

New look
MeL's first new look came in mid-June 2002. The new look presents MeL as part of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) and michigan.gov, the state's integrated Web site.

New features for MeL Internet
MeL Internet topics now include subheadings to make for easier browsing. The new MeL also has two new sections: "Timely Topics" and a special topics collection area. MeL's "Timely Topics" will feature news from the MeL education, Michigan government and science areas. Also included here are some of the "hot topics" related to health, taxes and current events that selectors previously announced only on library mailing lists. MeL's new special topic collections, starting with "Summertime fun" to be followed by "Back to school" will change quarterly and will feature MeL resources related to a high-interest seasonal subject.

New access option for MeL electronic magazines, ebooks and more
Now Michigan residents can use their driver's license or state ID to connect to the MeL databases from home or work. Once they have logged on, users will be able to move from one database to another without having to re-enter their license number or other password.

What's next for the Michigan eLibrary?

Next for Michigan eLibrary will be the ability for users to access the statewide resource-sharing service that the Action Team for Library Advancement Statewide (ATLAS) has been working on. MeL users will see a gradual implementation of the various components of the plan ATLAS has been developing. These will include enhancements to the MeL portal, access to digitized collections, addition of a patron-initiated interlibrary loan service and a comprehensive statewide delivery service. Training and public relations will be parts of the overall plan.

The first of the enhancements is already under way with the new driver's license authentication software, as described previously in this article.

The next step in the process will be for the Michigan Library Consortium (MLC) to deliver the implementation plan to State Librarian Christie Pearson Brandau. The plan will address each of the components mentioned above. Once the plan has been accepted and reviewed, the state librarian will determine the timetable for proceeding. Vendors for the project, including the portal, the interlibrary loan system and the delivery system, will be chosen through a defined procurement process that will include input from librarians from around the state.

At this time, funding has not yet been identified. However, we believe that our chances of securing funding are greatly enhanced by developing our implementation plan as fully as possible. We hope that we can continue our forward momentum through the fall and into 2003.

With the addition of the MeL Lending Library, Michigan residents will have access to an exceptional array of library and information resources. From free Web resources to full-text online magazine articles to books and materials in the state's libraries, residents will be able to find the right resources, when they need them, where they need them and in the format they need.

Updated 01/09/2006