The Library of Michigan is proud to report the Plinkit pilot libraries are working on their new Web sites and will be launching them online shortly.

Plinkit, which provides Web sites for small and rural libraries, is available at no charge to Michigan libraries. Participating libraries determine the content of their sites, and add and remove content as it fits with their library's mission and goals for serving their communities. The Library of Michigan does the heavy lifting, using outside contractors to host the sites and act as technology consultants. The Library's Web site administrator, Sonya Schryer Norris, serves as Michigan's site administrator, project manager and trainer.

For libraries interested in learning more about Plinkit, the Library of Michigan is making information stops at the following locations:

Brighton District Library: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2
Albion District Library: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3
Comstock Branch Library, Kent District Library (Kent District
Library Service Center - not the Comstock Branch of KDL): 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 7
Public Libraries of Saginaw, Hoyt Branch: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 8

Plinkit sites are robust, with built-in features such as the ability to search your OPAC from your site, RSS feeds, recommended kids and teens sites, easy front-page access to critical information such as hours and location, and more. Here are some examples of Plinkit libraries:

Hood River County (Ore.) Library: http://www.hoodriver.plinkit.org/
Dora (Ore.) Public Library: http://www.doralibrary.plinkit.org/
Wallowa County (Ore.) Library: http://www.wallowacounty.plinkit.org/
Harney County (Ore.) Library: http://www.harneycountylibrary.org/

The Library of Michigan's Plinkit advisory committee is made up of representatives of the group of pilot libraries: Homer Public Library, Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library, Vernon District Public Library, New Buffalo Township Public Library and Constantine Township Library. Also on the advisory committee are Stephen Bollinger of the Capital Area District Library and Jim Pletz, director of The Library Network.

The Plinkit collaborative consists of 22 partner states including Michigan. The original project was paid for with an LSTA grant, and here in Michigan it continues to be funded this way.

Need more info? Contact Sonya Schryer Norris at 517-373-4457 or norriss2@michigan.gov.

Keep up-to-date with Plinkit at Michigan's Plinkit site: www.michlibrary.org.

Updated 11/03/09