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News | Training | eResources | Library supplies & equipment | MeL
Eight MCLS member libraries will embark on a journey of collaboration. The Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) is pleased to announce “Library Match,” a new project designed to facilitate communication among our members. During the six-month pilot phase, which has been generously underwritten by The H.W. Wilson Foundation, Library Match will pair four public libraries in Indiana with four Michigan public libraries. The peers are of similar size and serve comparable communities. The project’s goal is to provide opportunities for library staff to develop relationships with librarians in the other state. They will mentor one another, expand professional connections, share staff training opportunities and expertise, conduct co-marketing activities and develop collaborative public programs. The participating libraries will be provided with the video-conferencing equipment needed to connect, communicate and collaborate with their peer library. They will be trained on the equipment, required to conduct a minimum of three specific activities together, and encouraged to do more.
To meet the Library Match teams, read more>>
Libraries Read: 1 Book title and events"Contagious: Why Things Catch On" by Jonah Berger has been selected as the title for “Libraries Read: 1 Book.” MCLS encourages library staff to read the book throughout April and May, think about how the concepts in the book are applicable to our work in libraries, and then join the discussions and events with library staff throughout Indiana and Michigan. Every Thursday in June will feature live twitter chats at 2pm EST using the hashtag #LibRead1bk. We will also hold Google Hangout discussions in June and July. We will be announcing dates and locations for in-person discussions soon. In addition, Lynda.com is offering the class "Viral Marketing: Crafting Shareable Content" by Jonah Berger.
Read more for details about the events and discussions.
For MCLS members who are interested in learning more about Linked Data and the new BIBFRAME environment, Zepheira is offering a discounted online training curriculum commencing June 17th through July 29th, 2015. Normally, the per-person fee is $1,500 per seat; we’ve negotiated a group discount of $645 per person.
The Practical Practitioner Linked Data and BIBFRAME Essentials is a self-paced online course; each participant should expect to commit ~10-12 hours of effort. There will be a live (and recorded) office hour session with classmates and Zepheira team members. Following the training, each participant is automatically enrolled into the Alumni group for continued access to existing and future content, an evolving tool suite, bi-monthly meetings, networking events at major conferences, and on-going collaboration. Read more and register>>
Recent Mover and Shaker Sherry Gick, Library Instruction and Technology Specialist from the Rossville (IN) Consolidated School Corporation, took the time to answer some questions about where she sees librarianship headed.
Read our interview with Sherry.
Save the date for the following opportunities to engage and learn:
For more information, visit our upcoming workshops and events page. If you have any questions, please contact training@mcls.org.
The Edge Initiative was developed by a national coalition of leading library and local government organizations. The technological needs for each community are as unique as the communities themselves. This class will discuss using The Edge Initiative to create dynamic programming for community using new and emergent technology. This workshop, which will give Indiana librarians 5 TLEUs, is being held in the innovative Matchbox Co-working Studio in Lafayette, IN.
Now is the time to join a group purchase for your favorite database, eBook or eJournal collection. MCLS offers substantial savings on many products from vendors including ProQuest, EBSCO and Gale. Access the most current list of our products. Contact services@mcls.org for a quote before renewing your July subscriptions!
MCLS and AIP Publishing are working together to offer member libraries a deeply discounted group rate to the AIP Complete Physics eJournal collection. If your library currently subscribes to any AIP journals (print or online) we encourage you to contact Member Services (services@mcls.org) for pricing to upgrade to the complete collection.
Primal Pictures creates and publishes the world’s most medically accurate and detailed 3D graphic rendering of human anatomy, based on real human scan data. MCLS is offering a group purchase for the Human Anatomy Package. This comprehensive set of resources is ideal for hospitals, clinics and a huge range of medical and health science courses. For a quick overview please check out this video. To trial the product or receive a quote, contact Member Services.
MCLS is your source for genuine 3M security strips and hardware. 3M productivity and security solutions allow staff to spend less time on routine tasks and more time helping patrons. By purchasing 3M through MCLS, your library can save a minimum of 25% off security strips and 15% on accessories and hardware. For more information or a quote, contact us at services@mcls.org.
Check out a new, brief, training video: MeL Business Resources. Also please join us on May 27, at 9:30am for a free, half hour webinar with practitioners in the field who are already using these MeL business resources and more to help Michigan businesses gain a competitive advantage. Stay tuned, more information and registration coming soon.
Staff will be escaping the office this summer to host several FREE MCLS/MeLCat & RIDES Regional meetings that you will not want to miss! The morning session will be updates about special MCLS and LM library projects and initiatives. In the afternoon the MeLCat Symposium will be an opportunity for you to join in a conversation about whatever you want to discuss, ask, or provide feedback about MeLCat and RIDES.
The meetings are FREE to all Michigan library staff and run from 10am – 4pm.
Space is limited. Registration is required and done on a first come, first served basis. Lunch is included.
We hope to see you at one of these locations!
Libraries that are interested in learning more about using the Visiting Patron option in MeLCat are invited to watch the recorded webinar available on the MeLCat Policies & Procedures page.
Any questions should be sent to melcathelp@mcls.org
The MeL project is funded by the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library of Michigan, part of the Michigan Department of Education. Additional funding is provided by the State of Michigan.
