Engineering Databases

1. What is the MeLCat  service?
   • MeLCat is the statewide union catalog and resource sharing service to share materials among all types of libraries in Michigan, regardless of the local circulation system they use.
2. Who is in MeLCat?
   • Please see our MeLCat Participants  page.
3. What are the benefits of MeLCat for Michigan residents?
   • One stop shopping to find materials owned by all types of libraries statewide
   • Ability to identify who owns valuable local history materials not available otherwise
   • Request materials online, if their home library is a MeLCat participant
   • Pick up materials at their home library
   • Check on their requests online
4. How does MeLCat help libraries serve their patrons better?
   • Give your patrons access to millions of titles not available in your library. At one point in time, the Vernon District Public Library  had a sign on their library that said, "6 million books available here! Come inside to find out how." Vernon District Library is a Class I public library that is housed in a former service station. They don't really have room for 6 million books, but MeLCat gives them access to that many!
   • Provide your patrons with remote access any time and any place
5. Who can use MeLCat?
   • MeLCat is for patrons in good standing of participating libraries. Any Michigan resident whose library is part of the system and has no blocks on their patron record may make requests.

For a full list of facts on MeLCat, please visit this facts page.

Information for this guide provided courtesy of Midwest Collaborative for Library Servics.