Thank you to everyone who attended the MeLCat 20th Anniversary celebrations, either virtually or in person. We’re also grateful to everyone who participated in the anniversary activities throughout this year, whether by sharing your MeLCat stories or hosting Mittens at your library. It’s always fun to connect to share our stories and libraries. And an …Read more »
MeLCat is 20! For those of you who were unable to join us at MLA last month to mark this milestone anniversary, we invite you to join us for an online celebration. Join the MeL team staff from the Library of Michigan and MCLS on Zoom, Thursday, Nov. 20 from 3-4 p.m. Eastern (2-3 p.m. Central). We’ll share some MeLCat stories, follow the travels of Mittens the MeLCat Mascot throughout the …Read more »
MeLCat is 20! To mark this amazing anniversary, we invite you to join us in person or online to celebrate. At the MLA conference reception, registered conference attendees can find MeL team staff from the Library of Michigan and MCLS in the Lake Erie Room on the 2nd floor. Stop by to say hello, win …Read more »
This summer, Mittens will travel through RIDES to help the MeLCat libraries celebrate the 20th Anniversary of MeLCat. Begin planning to take some photos of Mittens at your library. Be creative! Use the adventures of Flat Stanley and the Elf on the Shelf as inspiration. Instructions will be included. Some suggested activities with Mittens: Assist …Read more »
In 2024, MeLCat began a project modernizing the INN-Reach software running MeLCat, as well as the DCB software, introducing a new, web-based client. The project kicked off with the central server update last July. In early 2025, we began modernizing the DCB servers, one at a time, and in late spring, we completed the final …Read more »
The Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) is looking for an energetic, creative, and collaborative individual to join our team as a MeL Support Specialist. As a member of the Shared Library Systems team, the person in this position plays a key role in the ongoing success of MeL. The position requires excellent verbal and …Read more »
Lansing, MI—Ann Kaskinen, the K-12 MeL Engagement Specialist for the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS), is the 2022 recipient of the MAISA Education Fellowship Award. This award is given each year to an individual or organization who, among other qualities, places service above self-interest, advocates for the programs and services of public education, has …Read more »
Announcing the MCLS training calendar for January – June 2017. MCLS is offering over 60 training opportunities for library staff. For more information, go to our printer friendly version of the training calendar. For questions, contact the MCLS training department at training@mcls.org
The Library of Michigan and the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) have partnered with Zepheira Technologies to transform the 16 million bibliographic records in MeLCat, Michigan’s statewide resource sharing system, into linked data. Once complete, the books, CDs, DVDs, and other items in the Michigan libraries using MeLCat will be easily discoverable by web …Read more »
Register today for the following workshops hosted by MCLS in August. Jul 27 Media boot camp: interviewing skills (at Wheatfield Public Library, Indiana) (3 General LEUs) (DEADLINE to register is Friday, July 22) Aug 2-4 Assigning Library of Congress call numbers: basic (online) (6 General LEUs) (DEADLINE to register is Friday, July 22) Aug 9 …Read more »
