[MeL Maven Badge icon]Michigan has a decades-long history of experimenting with methods to teach eResource use to front line staff. Today, the MeL team launched a six-part training experience: the MeL Maven Badge. The Badge bakes professional skills-building into eResource training. Michigan residents rely on their local public library staff to model healthy information seeking behaviors. The Maven Badge models a statewide standard of service using real-world reference situations like solving a Pinterest fail, providing research services to city officials, and homework help. This learning environment provides front line staff with a context in which to practice digital literacy using the eResource tools in MeL. Liz Breed and Sonya Schryer Norris began work on this vision in the summer of 2020. They hired animation company First Fight located on Woodward Avenue in Detroit to create characters Carmen, Morgan, Ruby, Maryam, Frank, and Alex. First Fight artists Guy, Andre, and their team were able to bring our characters to life in 15 short animations and dozens of original stills. Their artistry is enhanced by professional voice actors. Barb Williams and Laura Warren-Gross joined the Badge crew in the spring of 2021, contributing their professional training experience, as well as their expertise and their passion for information literacy. Start your MeL Maven Badge today at MeL.org<https://mel.org/welcome>! It is freely available at MeL.org. Sonya Schryer Norris Library Consultant Library of Michigan :: 517-335-1498 [cid:image001.png@01D7B064.3A0456A0]<https://mel.org/>
