[A picture containing text, clipart, sign Description automatically generated]A huge thank you to all the libraries and library staff who helped continue to make MeLCat successful in 2023! In 2023, MeLCat welcomed two new libraries: * North Central Michigan College * St. Clair County Community College In addition, the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor resumed lending in October 2023. More than 1 million items were requested by patrons throughout the state of Michigan. January 2023 was the busiest month, with patrons placing a whopping 103,743 MeLCat requests! Altogether in 2023, more than 970,000 items were loaned out to patrons all over Michigan. The top 5 most requested titles via MeLCat were: 1. Lessons in chemistry<https://search.mel.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb42656085> by Bonnie Garmus 2. Remarkably bright creatures<https://search.mel.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb42695441> by Shelby Van Pelt 3. Horse<https://search.mel.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb42661722> by Geraldine Brooks 4. Demon copperhead<https://search.mel.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb42743129> by Barbara Kingslover 5. Firekeeper's daughter<https://search.mel.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb41701536> by Angeline Boulley In the Library of Michigan fiscal year (October 2022 – September 2023), the top five lenders were: 1. Capital Area District Library 2. Genesee District Library 3. Monroe County Library System 4. Kent District Library 5. Ann Arbor District Library While the top five borrowers were: 1. Kent District Library 2. Capital Area District Library 3. Monroe County Library System 4. Ann Arbor District Library 5. Jackson District Library In 2023, MCLS MeLCat staff helped libraries with a plethora of MeLCat questions and issues, and more than 3,150 tickets were opened by library staff. MCLS MeLCat staff also reached more than 300 library staff through more than 45 MeLCat-related trainings. Brought to you by Megan Dudek from the MeL Team. Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First. Want more information on MeL? Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, 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. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan. Megan Dudek (she/her) Shared Library Systems Manager Midwest Collaborative for Library Services 517-481-2794 dudekm@mcls.org<mailto:dudekm@mcls.org> [Text Description automatically generated] mcls.org<https://www.mcls.org/> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/mcls.org> | X<https://twitter.com/mclsorg> | LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwest-collaborative-for-library-services>
