What is included?
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, MeL Training Materials
Michigan eLibrary (MeL) Databases 2011
Edited and updated October 2011 -- SR
This project is made possible by grant funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan.
MeL is the Michigan eLibrary, a 24/7 online 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 new database contract took effect October 1, 2011.
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
PLEASE NOTE: Beginning October 1, 2011, CINAHL BASIC and NoveList are not longer in MeL
The MeL eBooks collection (formerly 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. This collection will remain available.
Full Text: All full text. No audio or downloadable ebooks are included in MeL.
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: Books & Authors, Biography and Genealogy Master Index, Business and Company Resource Center, ChiltonsLibrary, Computer Database, Expanded Academic ASAP, General BusinessFile ASAP, General Reference Center Gold, Health and Wellness Resource Center, Health Reference Center Academic, Informe, InfoTrac Newsstand, InfoTrac Junior Edition, InfoTrac Student Edition, Kids InfoBits, LegalTrac, Nursing Resource Center, Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Small Business Resource Center, and Gale's Virtual Reference Library.
Full Text: Mostly full text
LearningExpress Library
Based on official standardized tests, LearningExpress Library helps students and adults improve scores on academic, civil service, military, and professional licensing and certification exams. Hundreds of tests, tutorials, and courses are included, with immediate scoring available. There is also a section on job searching and career information.
Job and Career Accelerator is a related resource specifically aimed at assisting anyone who needs to explore a career choice, research various careers, prepare a resume, write a cover letter, and search for a job online. It is a tremendous resource not only for adults redefining themselves in the workforce but also for students deciding on a career path.
OCLC
PLEASE NOTE: Beginning October 1, 2011, MeL will no longer have any databases from OCLC.
ProQuest
Culturegrams contains cultural reports on over 200 countries, plus all the U.S. states and Canadian provinces. It has a Kids version and a version aimed at high school on up. Written by local experts, there is information on government, religion, daily life, history, plus maps, flags, and both photographs and video.
Full text: All full text
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
eLibrary is geared toward users from high school on up. It also contains journal articles, reference books, newspapers, and multimedia sources.
Full Text: All full text
SIRS Discoverer Deluxe contains journal articles, newspaper articles, maps, activities, government documents, and photographs and 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 has grown 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@mcls.org
Scheduling free training for library staff:
MeL Databases Training Coordinator
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
800-530-9019
robinson@mcls.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
