Michigan Library Consortium

Michigan Library Consortium is a non-profit organization that aims to promote library cooperation and resource sharing among libraries in Michigan, including University of Michigan Library, Michigan State University Libraries, and Detroit Public Library. The consortium works closely with American Library Association, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Library of Congress to provide library services and information resources to its members. By partnering with OCLC, OverDrive, Inc., and ProQuest, the Michigan Library Consortium enables its member libraries to access a wide range of digital collections, including e-books from Project Gutenberg and Internet Archive, and academic databases from JSTOR and EBSCO Information Services.

● History

The Michigan Library Consortium was established in 1998 with the support of Michigan Department of Education, Michigan State Library, and Library of Michigan. The consortium's early efforts focused on developing a shared catalog system, which was launched in 2001 with the help of OCLC and Ex Libris Group. This system, known as MeLCat, allows patrons to search and request materials from participating libraries, including University of Michigan Library, Michigan State University Libraries, and Western Michigan University Libraries. The consortium has also worked with Michigan Library Association, American Library Association, and Association of Research Libraries to promote library advocacy and information literacy initiatives, such as National Library Week and Banned Books Week.

● Organization

The Michigan Library Consortium is governed by a board of directors composed of representatives from member libraries, including University of Michigan Library, Michigan State University Libraries, and Grand Valley State University Libraries. The consortium's executive director works closely with staff and committees to develop and implement programs and services, such as MeLCat and Michigan eLibrary. The organization is also supported by partnerships with vendors like OverDrive, Inc., ProQuest, and Gale, which provide e-content and research databases to member libraries, including Detroit Public Library and Ann Arbor District Library. Additionally, the consortium collaborates with Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Western Michigan University to provide library instruction and information literacy training.

● Services

The Michigan Library Consortium offers a range of services to its member libraries, including MeLCat, Michigan eLibrary, and library consulting services. The consortium also provides training and support for library staff, as well as advocacy and lobbying efforts to promote library funding and library legislation, such as the Library Services and Technology Act. By partnering with OCLC, Ex Libris Group, and SirsiDynix, the consortium enables its member libraries to access integrated library systems and library services platforms, which support collection management, circulation, and discovery services. Furthermore, the consortium works with Internet Archive, HathiTrust, and Digital Public Library of America to provide access to digital collections and cultural heritage materials.

● Membership

The Michigan Library Consortium has over 400 member libraries, including public libraries, academic libraries, school libraries, and special libraries, such as Library of Michigan and Michigan State Library. Member libraries include University of Michigan Library, Michigan State University Libraries, Western Michigan University Libraries, and Detroit Public Library. The consortium also has partner libraries in neighboring states, including Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin, which participate in MeLCat and other resource sharing initiatives. By collaborating with American Library Association, Association of Research Libraries, and Urban Libraries Council, the consortium promotes library cooperation and resource sharing among its member libraries.

● Partnerships

The Michigan Library Consortium has established partnerships with a range of organizations, including OCLC, OverDrive, Inc., ProQuest, and Gale. These partnerships enable the consortium to provide e-content and research databases to its member libraries, as well as library services and support. The consortium also works with Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Western Michigan University to promote library instruction and information literacy initiatives, such as National Library Week and Banned Books Week. Additionally, the consortium collaborates with Internet Archive, HathiTrust, and Digital Public Library of America to provide access to digital collections and cultural heritage materials, and with American Library Association, Association of Research Libraries, and Urban Libraries Council to promote library advocacy and library legislation. Category:Library consortia in the United States