January 16, 2004

The Library of Michigan and the Michigan State University Libraries today announced that the Turfgrass Information File (TGIF) will now be available to all citizens of Michigan via the Michigan Electronic Library (MeL) at http://mel.org. The addition of this database to the Michigan eLibrary is made possible by the MSU Libraries.

According to MSU Library Director Clifford H. Haka, TGIF indexes the literature of turfgrass, thereby assisting turf researchers and practitioners – such as landscape architects, park and cemetery managers, golf course superintendents and athletic field managers, as well as home lawn enthusiasts – to identify and secure information relevant to their endeavors or interests. The database is produced by the Turfgrass Information Center, which is housed within the Michigan State University Libraries. Both the center and the database are generously supported by the United States Golf Association.

"The database is logically produced at the MSU Libraries because we possess the largest publicly accessible collection of turfgrass literature in the world," said Haka. "We are extremely pleased to see this resource added to the outstanding array of MeL databases already available to the entire state of Michigan."

"We're excited to add some Spartan green to the Michigan eLibrary," said State Librarian Christie Pearson Brandau. "We always say you can find information on just about anything at MeL. This is one more example of the unique yet important kind of data available through the Michigan eLibrary that can help our residents perform their jobs and take care of their homes more effectively."

TGIF can be searched for information on topics as diverse as ornamental grasses, managing lawns in shade, marking athletic fields, golf green mowing heights, and the performance of new cultivars of turfgrasses, to professional issues including seed priming, snow mold prevention, and backlapping bedknives.

For more information about the contents of the Turfgrass Information File, visit http://tic.msu.edu/tgifda.htm. For more information about Michigan State University Libraries, visit http://www.lib.msu.edu.

To learn more about the Michigan eLibrary, visit http://mel.org. The Michigan eLibrary is an initiative of the Library of Michigan, an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL). Dedicated to enriching the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center.

CONTACT:
Sarah Lapshan, HAL
517-241-1736

Pete Cookingham, MSU
517-353-7209

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.