Introduction to MeLCat

The Library Links outreach project is funded (in part) with a Library Services and Technology grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library of Michigan

What is MeLCat?

Michigan eLibrary Catalog Collections from over 358 Michigan Libraries Over 8 million titles (including books, dvds, cdmusic,

and more) Most items may be requested by Michigan residents There is NO CHARGE to use MeLCat Requested items can be picked up at your local

library

How do I access MeLCat?

The best way to link to MeLCat is from your own library’s online catalog

You may also connect to MeLCat by linking directly to http://www.mel.org

Go to the Peter White PL homepage http://www.pwpl.info

Under Quick Links, select ONLINE CATALOG

Use the link to MeLCat when you can’t find what you are looking for in the UPCat after searching ALL libraries.

Search Indexes

Links to other areas of HAL and MeL

List of all MeLCat Libraries

Keyword search results will be sorted by RELEVANCE and can be a bit slower than other types of searches.

Title, Series, and Author searches will return a browseable list of records to choose from.

Keyword search results can also be sorted by Date and Title

Icons on the right indicate the format of the item (book, cd, cassette, etc.

Search Results Sorted by DATE

Click “Get This for Me! to place a request

Or click the title to view more detailed information.

Title details screen

Owning Libraries

Additional

title information

Item Status

Note: There is no “hold queue” or waiting list in MeLCat. Hold requests may only be placed on AVAILABLE or STATUS UNKNOWN items.

Link to place a request

If there are more than several libraries that own the item, there would be a separate link to view additional information about the items. It is NOT necessary to access that information in order to try to “Get this” item.

GET THIS FOR ME! Select your library…

Select your home library from the drop down menu.

Type the first letter to quickly move down the alphabetical list.

Click the Submit button.

Enter your information at the MeL Login Screen

Click the Submit button

Note: your patron barcode is hidden for privacy reasons

Success!

Now that you’ve LOGGED IN to MeLCat, you will REMAIN logged in and can place multiple requests. In order to protect your privacy there is a message reminding you to LOGOUT when you are done.

Logout Button

Returns to title details screen

Connect to the MeLCat Homepage

Why didn’t my hold work??

If there are no copies that are AVAILABLE (on the shelf) at a library at the time you try to place your request, you will get this message.

Why didn’t my hold work??

If there are NO REQUESTABLE items, because of library policy (maybe the item it too fragile or rare to interloan, etc.), you will see this message.

Why didn’t my hold work??

You may NOT request items that are currently AVAILABLE at your home library. (You SHOULD STILL CHECK THE LOCAL LIBRARY catalog to be sure the item is really in though)!

Why didn’t my hold work??

It may be that your library card is expired or that you have an unresolved issue with your patron record. Contact your local library to resolve the problem.

Managing and Viewing Your Requests using MyMeL

The MyMeL link is available in the top navigation bar consistently throughout the MeL site.

Managing and Viewing Your Requests using MyMeL

Select your home library from the drop down menu, or click on the starting letter of your home library to see an alphabetical list.

Managing and Viewing Your Requests using MyMeL

Enter your Name and Library Card Number

Click the Submit button

Managing and Viewing Your Requests using MyMeL

Link to your requests and/or checkouts

Update your email address

Managing and Viewing Your Requests using MyMeL – Requests Screen

Your My MeLCat Record will show all current holds and checkouts.

You can CANCEL a MeLCat request anytime before it is put INTRANSIT.

Managing and Viewing Your MeLCat Checkouts

Renewal Option in MyMeL – At this time Renewing your item in MyMeL doesn’t

work properly.

The best way to view and/or renew a MeLCat item is through My Account in your local libraries online catalog.

WebBridge – Links to other resources from MeLCat

In addition to listing results in MeLCat, a link to WebBridge also appears at the top of your search results screen.

You may click on WebBridge to send your search terms to other MeL Databases.

Results on Kitchen Remodeling from the MeL Database General OneFile

Example of an Article in General OneFile

This completes our tour of MeLCat – are there any questions?