Michigan e Library Me L Growing Pains and

Michigan e. Library (Me. L) Growing Pains and Gains 21 st Annual Computers in Libraries March 23, 2006

Presenter: Sheryl Mase Director of Statewide Services Library of Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries

A Little Me. L History… n Began with… a collection of Internet resources selected by librarians – in the days of WAIS and Lynx n and “Access. Michigan”– a project to provide a core set of commercial licensed databases to Michigan's libraries n LSTA subgrants – pilot projects Mi. LE & In. MICH… laid groundwork for the current Me. LCat resource sharing system

Me. L Vision All Michigan residents will have access to the information they need, when they need it, and in the format they desire. Me. L Funding Primarily via federal LSTA funds administered by the Library of Michigan

The Players… n n Library of Michigan Library Consortium Michigan Department of Information Technology (DIT) Coops, REMCs, academic groups, associations, etc. – of all types of libraries throughout Michigan

Me. L Internet n n Collection of librarian-selected resources arranged by subject with special emphasis on Michigan One of the first Internet “subject collections” - worldwide usage Converted to a database in 2003 25, 000 HTML pages selected by subject specialists

Me. L Databases n n n $3. 6 million worth of commercial databases for all types of libraries and their users 40 databases, 15 k e-books, 53 practice tests, over 45, 000 indexed magazines and newspapers, 9, 000 of which are full text, producing millions of articles Access at local library/school or via the web with a Michigan driver’s license or state ID card

Me. LCat n n n (Michigan e. Library Catalog) Vision: a web-based statewide multitype library catalog and resource-sharing system in which all libraries, regardless of their local ILS, can participate Web access to statewide catalog of library holdings Users access the catalog 24 x 7 and make self-initiated requests for books from any provider to be delivered locally

Two ways to go… n n Pilot projects informed the decision It started with 22 libraries in January ’ 05 and is projected to expand to 550 libraries over the next five years. Me. LCat has… n n n More than 6 million unique titles Over 14 million holdings All types of libraries

Me. LCat Libraries Public n Academic n School n Special TOTAL …………… n 58 16 4 1 79 Adding 26 libraries this winter – will soon have 105 total participating

Local Systems and Me. LCat n Local systems working with Me. LCat n n n n Innovative Millennium Dynix Classic and Horizon Sirsi Unicorn Sagebrush Athena and Spectrum Follett Circ. Plus and Destiny TLC Library. Solution Auto-Graphics Verso Systems being added n Endeavor Voyager and Sagebrush Info. Centre

Me. LCat compared to other state systems… n n n Other states have statewide systems for a single type of library (academic, public, school, etc. ) Other states have multitype systems using the same automation vendor for their ILS Me. LCat is multitype and does not necessitate a common ILS

Current Me. LCat Environment Non-Innovative Local server III local system Workstation at non-Innovative local library DCB server Me. LCat Patron Central “Data drop”

The Me. LCat Environment with NCIP Non-Innovative Local server III local system Workstation at non-Innovative local library DCB server Me. LCat Patron Central “Data drop”

Policies, procedures, etc. n n Model of statewide participation, task forces created for purpose, then dissolved Catalog policies committee Resource sharing committee Blog for enhancement requests, user conference once a year

Me. L Delivery n n Statewide delivery system in place via a contract with Pro. Med - links to existing systems within library cooperatives, REMCs, etc. Connects all types of libraries and delivers materials to Michigan’s library users Goal: 24 to 48 hour turnaround Currently 346 libraries in program Me. LCat libraries are required to participate

Me. L Digital n n n Vision to provide online access to digitized resources available across the state via a common interface The “Making of Modern Michigan” is currently available as a Me. L resource The Michigan Statewide Digitization Task Force has formulated a grant program to progress statewide digitization efforts

Me. L Search Gateway n n Gateway includes a federated search engine, “Meta. Find, ” which allows a search to be conducted across the various resources simultaneously Focus groups used Usability testing soon Gains and losses with federated search

Me. L Federated Searching… Search first, authenticate second n Use the “Search for” box on the gateway page for a quick search n Use Me. L Advanced Search for customized searching n