The Michigan Library Consortium (MLC) has signed an agreement with the Library of Michigan to become the lead agency for implementation of AccessMichigan services and has named Ruth Dukelow as AccessMichigan Director. At its Aug. 5 meeting, the AccessMichigan Steering Committee voted to support MLC's proposal to offer support and training services to all Michigan libraries for AccessMichigan activities.

As part of the agreement, MLC will provide day-to-day operational support for AccessMichigan, including answering e-mails and phone calls from librarians, discussing implementation plans with vendors, maintaining the AccessMichigan Web site and scheduling meetings. In addition, MLC will provide ongoing training for all AccessMichigan databases and services. Contract negotiations with vendors will remain with the Library of Michigan.

"I am delighted to continue our working relationship with MLC," State Librarian George Needham said. "MLC worked very hard to ensure the success of AccessMichigan during the first year of the database licenses. As we prepare to add more databases and additional services, it is important that we have staff in place to make it happen."

As AccessMichigan Director, Ruth Dukelow, MLC network librarian, will coordinate all AccessMichigan activities at MLC. "Ruth has already been deeply involved with AccessMichigan, and I am confident that her long experience with Michigan libraries will contribute to greater success for AccessMichigan in the future," MLC Executive Director Randy Dykhuis said.

Dukelow has worked at MLC as network librarian since 1995. Her primary areas of responsibility have been reference and resource sharing. Prior to joining MLC, Dukelow was the library establishment specialist at the Library of Michigan. Dukelow received her MSLS from The Catholic University of America and her JD from Duke University School of Law.

She is a member of the Michigan Library Association, where she has served in numerous capacities, including several years on the Public Policy Committee and the Intellectual Freedom Committee. Dukelow is a well-known expert in copyright law and has presented workshops in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio and throughout Michigan.

"I am pleased with this new assignment," Dukelow said. "I am excited about working with the Library of Michigan, MEL and the Steering Committee to make AccessMichigan as successful as possible."

The Michigan Library Consortium is a nonprofit library service organization, with more than 600 members across the state of Michigan. MLC serves libraries of all types and sizes with online access to information, CD-ROM databases, security systems for libraries, and other products and services.

AccessMichigan is a collaborative project of Michigan libraries of all types—from school media centers to community libraries to academic research libraries—to create a digital information environment that will offer every resident of the state equitable and easy-to-use access to a core set of information sources. The project will provide a rich assortment of online databases, a common user interface, and training for Michigan librarians and the general public in effective use of the electronic resources.

Updated 01/06/2006