- Michlib-l - liblists.org

MeL Minute: Usability Study of MeL by U of M students
by Norris, Sonya (MDE) 16 May '18

16 May '18

Greetings Michigan Library Community, We are currently researching our user bases in the hopes of creating a MeL redesign that will meet the needs of all of our users. As you can imagine, library staff is a rather large user group, and the current MeL site...isn't doing the best it can. A group of graduate students from the University of Michigan School of Information helped us out by MeL.org under close scrutiny. They were able to compile the following findings, some of which may seem familiar to you: * Library staff find it hard to navigate or locate desirable information from the vast pool of resources * The Promotion & Training section does not adequately convey which trainings are available in which subheading. * The inability to search all MeL resources through the databases search is confusing to users, especially in the Promotion & Training section. Interested in seeing their full report? They posted their final report in video form to YouTube<https://youtu.be/bfPF6pu-Hzs>. Their findings, together with our own research, and the great feedback we received in the card sorting exercise at the Loleta Fyan Small and Rural Libraries Conference will all contribute to the new MeL.org. [cid:image004.png@01D3ECEB.CEBF2760]Brought to you by Kathy Kosinski of the MeL Team. MeL databases are available to Michigan residents or Michigan library access only. Want more information on MeL? Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, email us at contact(a)mel.org<mailto:contact@mel.org>, visit http://mel.org<http://mel.org/>, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery<https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MILOM/subscriber/new>. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks. #IMLSGrant Sonya Schryer Norris Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48909 517-373-4457 https://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan http://mel.org<http://mel.org/> http://michlibrary.org<http://michlibrary.org/> Our collective efforts can help make Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years! Here are the goals and strategies: http://mi.gov/top10in10/ [cid:image002.png@01D20444.B08921B0]

1 0

STC District Library Open at new new location
by Nannette Pretzer 15 May '18

15 May '18

The St. Charles District Library is now open in our new location of 132 S. Saginaw Street, St. Charles, MI. Telephone number remains the same: 989-865-9451. Hopefully, everything will be back to "normal" as it gets in a few days. Thank you. Nannette Pretzer, Director St. Charles District Library 132 S. Saginaw Street St. Charles, MI 48655 www.stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org 989-865-9371 n.pretzer(a)stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org

1 0

Adulting 101
by Debra Biggs 15 May '18

15 May '18

Now here's a great and needed-although a sad social commentary imo-programming idea: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/05/01/adulting-101-library-progr… Hope all is well in Michigan Libraryland! Best, Deb Deb Biggs Tenbusch Instruction & Reference Librarian Walsh College Troy, Novi Campuses O: 248-823-1128 dbiggs(a)walshcollege.edu

2 2

Homebound Patron renewals.
by David Conklin 15 May '18

15 May '18

How are you all handling homebound patron renewals? We’ve had a few vocal ones that inspired me to check if anyone has found a better way than insisting they come in person to a branch and show ID. :o) Dave David Conklin Director Genesee District Library (810) 230-3335 Office (810) 732-1161 Fax dconklin(a)thegdl.org<mailto:dconklin@thegdl.org> Genesee District Library Headquarters 4195 W. Pasadena Avenue Flint, MI 48504

1 0

Books as SRP Prizes
by Kaitlin Matesich 15 May '18

15 May '18

Hello all, For those of you who give books as prizes, where do you source your bulk books from? I am looking for a way to be able to reward readers with a book without breaking the budget. Being in rural Michigan, I'm not sure if certain warehouse options would be worth the trip. I look forward to hearing how you all do your thing, and thanks! Kaitlin Matesich Youth Services Coordinator Benzie Shores District Library Frankfort, MI

1 0

Upcoming webinars you won't want to miss!
by Jan Davidson 15 May '18

15 May '18

Check out these upcoming webinars from MCLS: <https://store.mcls.org/index.php/library-innovation-implementing-design-thi…> Library Innovation: Implementing Design Think and User Experience Concepts Jun 7, 10am-12noon Eastern (9-11am Central) Instructors: Kristin Meyer & Michelle Boisvenue-Fox Credit: 2 LEUs for IN staff! Copy Cataloging of Videos & DVDs Using RDA<https://store.mcls.org/index.php/copy-cataloging-of-videos-dvds-using-rda-1…> Jun 19-21 (3-day course), 2-4pm Eastern (1-3pm Central) Instructor: Jessica Barnes Credit: 6 LEUs for IN staff! Accessible Electronic Documents<https://store.mcls.org/index.php/accessible-electronic-documents.html> Jun 19, 10am-12noon Eastern (9-11am Central) Instructor: Christina Wray Credit: 2 Technology LEUs for IN staff! Don't miss your chance! Register today! https://store.mcls.org/ MCLS Home page<https://store.mcls.org/> store.mcls.org This introductory workshop will address the basic concepts of contract law (licenses as contracts) and offer a hands-on look at the components of a standard licensing agreement.

1 0

Speaker Recommendations
by Margaret Bentley 15 May '18

15 May '18

I am looking for a speaker related to some aspect of Michigan history. In the past we have had the Massies and Larry Martin. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, had anyone had Al and Dave Eicher? If so, what is you opinion of their programs? Any help will be much appreciated. Margaret Bentley Adult Services Librarian Shiawassee District Library--Owosso 502 W. Main Street Owosso, Michigan 48867 989-725-5134

1 0

golf cart bookmobiles
by Amber Clement 15 May '18

15 May '18

Ok, Library Community! Looking for information on golf cart bookmobiles. Who has one? Where did you purchase it? Did you have to do the book portion upgrade yourself? Any information on the idea would be fabulous! Thanks, Amber Clement,MLIS Library Director Presque Isle District Library 181 E. Erie Street Rogers City, MI 49779 989.734.2477, 222 www.pidl.org <http://www.pidl.org/>

1 0

STEAM kits
by Nancy Folaron 15 May '18

15 May '18

We have some grant money to purchase STEAM kits for our kids. If you have ordered them for your library could you please share your experiences with us? What vendors do you purchase the kits from? Are there certain types of kits that are more popular with the kids? Do you loan them out or are they in library use only? Anything else you would like to share with us? If you could please reply off list I will compile the responses later and share. Nancy Folaron -- Nancy Folaron, Assistant Director Shiawassee District Library/Durand Memorial Branch 700 N. Saginaw St. Durand, MI 48429 989-288-3743

1 0

Free MeL webinar - Readers' Advisory for Youth: MeL as Your RA Partner - May 23, 3:30pm Eastern
by David Votta 15 May '18

15 May '18

Kick-start Summer Reading with a webinar that will give your younger patrons an edge this summer. Please join us on May 23, at 3:30pm for a 30-minute webinar focused on the MeL resources which will help you, help your students and youth patrons become lifelong readers. Registration is free and open to all Michigan library staff, educators, and other interested users. Read more and register for this webinar<https://store.mcls.org/index.php/mel-databases-readers-advisory-for-youth-m…>. https://store.mcls.org/index.php/mel-databases-readers-advisory-for-youth-m… This webinar will be recorded, and made available on demand anytime. http://mcls.org/mel/mel-training-events/ MeL training is funded in part by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan. Additional service support comes from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the Institute of Museum and Library Services<http://www.imls.gov/> (IMLS). [IMLS logo.png] Please share. David David Votta Community Engagement Librarian Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) Phone: (800) 530-9019 ext 122 [id:image001.png@01D31B4A.897DA8C0]<https://www.facebook.com/mcls.org> [id:image002.png@01D31B4A.897DA8C0] <https://twitter.com/mclsorg> [id:image003.png@01D31B4A.897DA8C0] <http://www.mcls.org/> "For every complex problem there is an answer which is clear, simple, and wrong." -H.L. Mencken

1 0