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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
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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
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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
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Go to the Peter White PL homepage http://www.pwpl.info
Under Quick Links, select ONLINE CATALOG
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Use the link to MeLCat when you can’t find what you are looking for in the UPCat after searching ALL libraries.
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Search Indexes
Links to other areas of HAL and MeL
List of all MeLCat Libraries
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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.
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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.
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Search Results Sorted by DATE
Click “Get This for Me! to place a request
Or click the title to view more detailed information.
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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.
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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.
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Enter your information at the MeL Login Screen
Click the Submit button
Note: your patron barcode is hidden for privacy reasons
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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
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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.
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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.
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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)!
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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.
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Managing and Viewing Your Requests using MyMeL
The MyMeL link is available in the top navigation bar consistently throughout the MeL site.
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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.
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Managing and Viewing Your Requests using MyMeL
Enter your Name and Library Card Number
Click the Submit button
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Managing and Viewing Your Requests using MyMeL
Link to your requests and/or checkouts
Update your email address
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Results on Kitchen Remodeling from the MeL Database General OneFile
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Example of an Article in General OneFile
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This completes our tour of MeLCat – are there any questions?