[Michlib-l] MeL Minute: Supporting Michigan Libraries: Putting You First

[Norris, Sonya (MDE)]

Greetings Michigan Library Community,



[cid:image002.png at 01D45658.939F7A00]The definition of transform is to change in composition or structure and we're excited about the transformation MeL has been going through this summer, and what this means for you. We visited lots of libraries, evaluated surveys, and held listening sessions across the state. Your feedback helped shape the design and architecture of the new MeL.org site as well as determine selections for the new eResources offerings.



But more than that, your feedback was the impetus for a shift in our focus. For the entire life of MeL, our emphasis has been to market it broadly to the library community and all 9 million-plus Michigan residents. Starting October 1, we are shifting our focus away from messaging to residents and instead will focus on you - our library and education communities.



New eResources

On October 1, MeL will expand to over 80 eResources! EBSCO will become our primary vendor and we will continue to offer quality content from Britannica, Gale, and World Book. AtoZDatabases.com will provide a business and job directory as well as a criminal background search. You will find a wealth of resources, including:
*        MyHeritage (genealogy resource)
*        Consumer Reports
*        An upgrade to NoveList that includes K-8 Plus and NoveList Plus (one of the most requested resources)
*        The full suite of LearningExpress Library resources including a resume builder
*        A collection of over 200,000 eBooks covering everything from K-8 to Business
*        A substantial business collection that includes case studies, SWOT analyses, DemographicsNow, and more.
*        A K-12 collection that includes access to over 25 eResources with leveled readers, magazine and journal articles, subject specific eResources in Biography, History, Literature, Poetry and Science, Opposing Viewpoints in Context, and more.



MeL.org

Also on October 1, we will launch the new MeL.org site. Among the new features you will find two portals, one for educators and one for library staff. Educators will find training resources to support the integration of MeL content into their classrooms and lesson plans. Library staff will find promotional materials, training tools and tech support. Training tools for both will include short videos, PDFs and links to vendor training portals. In the future, anticipate customized content developed by 2 new MeL Engagement Specialists who will be coming on board later this fall.



Get Ready for October 1

Details about MeL's transformation can be found at our Get Ready page<http://mel.org/index.php?P=P_GetReady_Display>. Here you will find:
*        Initial announcement<https://www.michigan.gov/documents/libraryofmichigan/lm_2018_June_MeLDatabasesAnnouncement_626406_7.pdf> about the new eResources
*        Database Crosswalk to show which resources are expiring, continuing and new
*        New MeL logo files
*        MeL GeoIP URLs
*        Recorded webinars for EBSCO eResources
*        Links to vendor support pages with training videos, documentation, and promotional tools
*        Direct URLs<https://www.mcls.org/index.php?cID=265> can be found at MCLS' site.



The site that will launch on Monday is over a year in the making - we started last summer with regional listening sessions about eResource content and continued into 2018 with usability testing and information architecture planning with Michigan library staff for the website itself. We have worked hard to be intentional and responsive to your needs. And we're very excited by the results! Thank you for your patronage.



Brought to you by Liz Breed of the MeL Team.



MeL databases are available to Michigan residents or Michigan library or school access only.



MeL is transforming on October 1! New eResources, a new website, and a new logo will make their debuts. The latest information about eResource changes, including training opportunities, can be found at our Get Ready<http://mel.org/index.php?P=P_GetReady_Display> page.



#IMLSGrant


Sonya Schryer Norris
Library Consultant

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-4457
AS OF OCT 16, 2018, MY NUMBER WILL CHANGE TO 517-335-1498

https://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan
http://mel.org<http://mel.org/>
http://michlibrary.org<http://michlibrary.org/>

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