• The Mission of the Library of Michigan
The Michigan Legislature created The Library of Michigan to guarantee the people of this State and their government one perpetual institution to collect and preserve Michigan publications, conduct reference and research and support libraries statewide.

• Library of Michigan on the Air with WGVU
Listen to Library of Michigan librarians discuss their areas of expertise. This month: MeL with coordinator Deb Biggs Thomas.

• Michigan eLibrary (MeL)
MeL is the Michigan eLibrary, a 24/7 online library for Michigan residents.

• MeL Databases allow you instant access to full-text articles from tens of thousands of magazines and newspapers. Databases are available for kids, adults, and on specialized topics such as car repair, practice tests and art images. View a video to familiarize yourself with the databases.
  
  
• MeLCat allows you to order books, audio books, music, movies and other materials and have them delivered to your participating library.
  
  
• MeL Michigana contains photographs, diaries, oral histories, local records and historical Michigan data. View a video to familiarize yourself with MeL Michigana.
  
  
• MeL Gateways include specialized resources such as those in genealogy, health, business and areas for kids and teens.
  
  
• M.O.R.E.: Michigan Online Resources for Educators allows teachers and parents to find curricular-based resources searchable by subject and aligned to the Michigan Content Expectations.
  
  

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The Library of Michigan has announced the list of the 2012 Michigan Notable Books - 20 books highlighting Michigan people, places and events. The list highlights exceptional "Michigan books" published in 2011 that bring attention to Michigan authors and topics. Books that showcase the range of experiences of Michigan's citizens and life in the Great Lakes by well-established and first-time authors can be found on the list.

"This year's selections prove that persevering through economic and personal hardship is nothing new for Michiganians, and that this enduring and independent spirit has a long, rich history in the Great Lakes State," said State Superintendent of Public Education Mike Flanagan.

A collection of Michigan ghost stories; a biography of one of the most recognized women in the Republican Party; a history of the role Jacobson's department stores played in Michigan communities; fiction by nationally-recognized authors; and three children's books that range from topics covering race relations, "what is art?" and teachers from Mars are among this year's most notable Michigan books.

"This year's Michigan Notable Books bring to life the Michigan experience through vivid storytelling that creates portraits of the people and places that make Michigan great," State Librarian Nancy Robertson said. "Addressing Michigan's natural beauty, its innovative leaders or the faith of its people, these books celebrate Michigan as a place and a people that even in the most trying of times find transformation. The Library of Michigan is delighted to honor these 20 books as the 2012 Michigan Notable Books."

For the list of this year's selections, please see the Michigan Department of Education's press release.

• Plinkit
Plinkit is a feature-rich and easy to use library-specific website template free to Michigan libraries.

Plinkit provides an easy-to-learn, easy-to-update website template. It is designed for libraries without specialized technology staff. It is easily expandable for libraries that wish to do more. There is no cost to the libraries and the technology "heavy lifting" is done by the Library of Michigan. Training and refresher courses are free. And Plinkit is easy to learn. If you can operate Microsoft Word, you can operate Plinkit.

Check out some of our sites:

* Boyne District Library
* Lapeer District Library
* Allendale Township Library

The Library of Michigan has taken on all costs associated with the program courtesy of Library Services and Technology Act dollars. Would you like a Plinkit site? Please fill out an application at http://michlibrary.org/thinking-of-joining/application.

Feel free to contact Sonya Schryer Norris at the Library of Michigan at 517-373-4457 or norriss2@michigan.gov with any questions.

• What's New at the Michigan Center for the Book
The 2012 Center for the Book grants have been awarded. We gave out 11 literary grants to libraries for a total of $2,964. Congratulations to the applicant libraries.

We are beginning work on a programming guide for the 2012 Michigan Notable Books program. It is a list of suggested read-a-likes, activities, partnerships, etc. for each book on the Notables list. Look for that to come soon.

We are also starting a new 2012 brochure that will be printed this summer on the topic of Michigan food and wine. If you have a book I should put on the list, let me know!.

The Center for the Book has expanded its membership options! Libraries with budgets under $500,000 can now join for $125 per year. For more information on the benefits, see Why Should My Library Join the Center for the Book and the Affiliate Application. We hope to see you soon!

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