2008 MeL Users Group Meeting



MLC is pleased to report that over 225 people attended the Annual MeL Users Day held in Lansing on February 19, despite the snowy weather.

“We are thrilled with the turnout at this year’s MeL Users Day,” said Randy Dykhuis, MLC Executive Director.  “It is gratifying to know that so many Michigan libraries are interested in MeLCat and in the statewide MeL project.”

MeL Users Day began with Opening Remarks from Nancy Robertson, State Librarian.  She introduced the new MeL Coordinator at the Library of Michigan, Deb Biggs Thomas.

Participants were then given the choice of breakout sessions on a variety of topics related to MeL.  Breakout sessions throughout the day included:

Dispelling MeLCat Myths Jackie Licalzi debunked myths, such as MeLCat can lose funding due to a state government crisis or that MeLCat is moving to a completely new open-source platform.

MeLCat Workflow: How are libraries handling the load? Jackie Licalzi described how libraries manage the day-to-day operations of MeLCat requests for maximum efficiency.

MeLCat & NCIP Debbi Schaubman explained what NCIP is and how it may make your MeLCat workflow easier.

MeLCat Reports (Password-protected because it contains proprietary information) Anne Donohue showed the different reports in MeLCat and described why they are important. She included step-by-step instructions for each report.

MeL Databases Enhancements Kelly Bayee gave a quick overview of the new databases added to MeL in October. She also included a discussion of new enhancements and a review of the MeL databases classes available for free to Michigan libraries and schools.

MeL Delivery Anne Donohue and Dan Gundry (of ProMed Delivery, Inc.) discussed the current status of MeL Delivery.

Research Help Now Sandy McCarthy and Ann Walaskay depicted Research Help Now (RHN), a group virtual reference service formed in 2004 that currently serves 16 participating libraries located throughout Michigan. They explained RHN service, including information on how new libraries can join.

You, too, can "sell" MeL! Getting the word out about what MeL is and why people should care. A panel presentation led by Deb Biggs Thomas, the new MeL Coordinator at the Library of Michigan; Ed Gron, Senior Training Consultant for Special Projects, Gale/Cengage; and Beth Hoffman, Marketing Strategist, Gale/Cengage. Each put forth ideas and concepts for effectively marketing MeL followed by an engaging group discussion.

For more information for library staff about MeLCat, please go to our MeLCat Help page (password protected).