What is included?
From MCLS Wiki
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, MeL Training Materials
Michigan eLibrary (MeL) Databases 2007-2010
minor edits 8/5/09 SR
This service is funded in part by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan. Additional project support comes from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
MeL is the Michigan eLibrary, an anywhere, anytime library for Michigan residents. MeL's mission statement reads as follows:
Administered by the Library of Michigan in partnership with Michigan's libraries of all types, the Michigan eLibrary [1] will provide all Michigan residents with free access to online full-text articles, full-text books, digital images, and other valuable research information at any time via the Internet; and provide an easy-to-use interlibrary loan system to allow Michigan residents to borrow books and other library materials for free from participating Michigan libraries.
The MeL Databases [2] contain magazine, newspaper and journal articles, digital books, and online tests. These can be used by any resident of the state at no charge 24 hours/day. MeL contains many general resources that cover all subject areas, plus it has resources specifically for children and older students. MeL also includes specialized resources such as those in health, business, test preparation, genealogy, careers and education.
MeL contracts, administration, and promotion are handled by the Library of Michigan [3]. The current database contract extends from October 1, 2007, until September 30, 2010.
MeL Databases support and training are handled by the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services. More detailed information for librarians is available at [[4]].
General information about the history of MeL and frequently asked questions (FAQ's) can be found at [5].
To connect to MeL, just go to mel.org [6].
Available to Michigan residents only (due to licensing restrictions)
EBSCO
CINAHL Basic is an authoritative resource for nursing and allied health professionals, students, educators, and researchers. This database provides indexing for 2,857 journals from the fields of nursing and allied health. The database contains more than 1,000,000 records dating back to 1982.
Full Text: Limited full text
NoveList is a readers' advisory service that offers a wide range of resources that will expand your staff's ability to serve fiction readers of all ages. Users may search by a variety of techniques, and resources for library staff are also available.
Full Text: Some full text (first chapters)
Gale
Academic OneFile (four-year institutions and graduate school level) and General OneFile (general interest) are the major content databases from Gale. Many subject-focused or reading level-focused subsets are derived from these OneFiles.
The databases from Gale are: Biography and Genealogy Master Index, Business and Company Resource Center, ChiltonsLibrary, Computer Database, Custom Newspapers (900 titles, including full text backfile of the NYT to 1995), Educator’s Reference Complete, Expanded Academic ASAP, General BusinessFile ASAP, General Reference Center Gold, Health and Wellness Resource Center, Health Reference Center Academic, Informe, InfoTrac Student, InfoTrac Junior, Kids InfoBits, LegalTrac, Virtual Reference Library, and What Do I Read Next? For further detail, please see http://www.mlcnet.org/cms/sitem.cfm/databases__econtent/mel_databases/
Full Text: Mostly full text.
LearningExpress Library
Based on official standardized tests, the purpose of this service is to help students and adults improve scores on academic, civil service, military, and professional licensing and certification exams. More than 300 tests, tutorials and courses are included, with immediate scoring available.
Michigan Newspapers from NewsBank
Two Michigan newspapers are available: Detroit News Grand Rapids Press.
Full Text: All full text.
NetLibrary
The MeL eBooks collection from NetLibrary includes approximately 20,000 full text digital books covering a wide range of topics and reading levels. There are more than 3,000 public domain titles.
Full Text: All full text. No audio books are included in MeL.
OCLC
FirstSearch offers over a dozen databases with periodical citations and articles covering a wide range of subject areas. WorldCat, containing cataloging information for books and other materials, is also part of FirstSearch.
Full Text: WilsonSelectPlus is a full text database, and WorldCat contains some first chapters. CAMIO is a growing online collection of images documenting works of art from around the world, representing the collections of prominent museums.
ProQuest
eLibrary Elementary contains reference books, journal articles, newspapers, photographs, maps, and radio and television news transcripts and is geared toward children in grades K – 9.
Full Text: All full text.
SIRS Discoverer Deluxe contains journal articles, newspaper articles, maps, activities, government documents, and photographs. It is geared toward children in grades K - 9.
Full Text: All full text.
SIRS Renaissance provides information on architecture and design, culture, literature, multimedia, music, performing arts, philosophy and religion, and visual arts. Full text articles are selected from more than 1,200 domestic and international publications.
Full Text: All full text.
HeritageQuest combines digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with 22,000 titles from the digitized version of the UMI® Genealogy & Local History collection and other valuable content including Freedman’s Bank records, PERSI, and the Revolutionary War Era Pension & Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files.
Full Text: Mostly full text.
Turfgrass Information File
TGIF contains the most comprehensive collection of turfgrass educational materials publicly available and contains some full text.
Available to all Internet users (no license restrictions to search)
MeLCat[7]
A combined catalog of Michigan libraries. From its beginning in January, 2005, MeLCat will grow to include hundreds of libraries from across the entire state. Patrons of participating libraries may place requests online.
MeL Michigana[8]
A digital collection about Michigan's history including photographs, manuscripts, realia, and other objects.
Michigan Authors and Illustrators[9]
Information on authors and illustrators born in Michigan, who live in Michigan, or who have written books about or set in Michigan.
Michigan Online Resources for Educators (MORE)[10]
Michigan Online Resources for Educators (MORE) provides thousands of quality educational web sites tied to the state's curriculum and professional development needs.
In-Library Use
Patrons using MeL at a Michigan library should not be prompted to verify Michigan residency because most libraries have registered their IP addresses* with the MeL Support Staff and the vendors. If users are prompted to verify Michigan residency, library staff should contact MCLS [11] for assistance.
- At libraries with non-static IP connections, users will need to verify Michigan residency.
Remote Patron Access to Databases
Patrons have a variety of remote access options. They can go to mel.org and log in with a Michigan driver's license or state ID when prompted. Patrons of MeLCat participating libraries may enter their library barcode numbers when prompted. Libraries may also provide remote access for their patrons through a variety of methods. For more information, users should contact their local libraries, and staff may contact MCLS [12].
Find database help or training for library staff
Contact the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services [13].
Access, support, and registration questions:
MeL Databases Support Staff
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
800-530-9019
meldatabaseshelp@mlcnet.org
Scheduling free training for library staff:
MeL Databases Training Coordinator
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
800-530-9019
robinson@mlcnet.org
For contract, administration, and promotion questions
Please contact:
Deb Biggs Thomas, MeL Coordinator
Library of Michigan
517-376-4466
biggsthomasd@michigan.gov
Sheryl Mase, Director of Statewide Services
Library of Michigan
800-479-0021
smase@michigan.gov
