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The Library of Michigan works to bring relevant, timely, and accessible MeL eResources training to all Michigan library staff and teachers.

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MeLCat and RIDES TrainingMeL eResources Training

MeLCat and RIDES Training

SEP 11

11:00 AM

Tips for Your MeLCat Toolkit (NEW!)

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Based on the popular Making MeLCat Manageable series, this webinar will review some common MeLCat processing questions and how to troubleshoot and find answers to help MeLCat run smoothly at your library. Come with questions and add to your MeLCat toolkit!

SEP 28

2:00 PM

Tips for Your MeLCat Toolkit (NEW!)

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Based on the popular Making MeLCat Manageable series, this webinar will review some common MeLCat processing questions and how to troubleshoot and find answers to help MeLCat run smoothly at your library. Come with questions and add to your MeLCat toolkit!

NOV 20

10:00 AM

Tips for Your MeLCat Toolkit (NEW!)

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Based on the popular Making MeLCat Manageable series, this webinar will review some common MeLCat processing questions and how to troubleshoot and find answers to help MeLCat run smoothly at your library. Come with questions and add to your MeLCat toolkit!

AUG 25

2:00 PM

MeLCat: The Other Stuff

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

This webinar covers a variety of MeLCat topics, including searching and requesting, a delivery overview, and how request balancing works. The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan. Workshop Pricing:

SEP 02

2:00 PM

MeLCat Processing, Policies, and Procedures

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Do you ever wonder why you have to put a MeLCat identifier on every MeLCat item you send out from your library? Do you ever wonder why you have to include the paging slip? Join the MeLCat team as they describe the MeLCat process from start to finish and explain why certain things are done the way they are.

SEP 15

2:00 PM

The MeLCat Visiting Patron Service

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

This webinar is open to any Michigan library wanting to know more about the MeLCat Visiting Patron service. Visiting Patron, also known as Reciprocal Borrowing, is an optional service provided by MeLCat to give patrons of participating libraries the option to get immediate access to the materials they need. The policies and general procedures of the Visiting Patron service will be discussed.

SEP 16

2:00 PM

RIDES: Lost and Damaged Procedures

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Whether you are new to RIDES or could use a refresher, attend this one-hour webinar that will give you an overall review of the RIDES process for lost or missing materials. You will learn the policies driving the procedure and step by step directions to help streamline your workflow.

SEP 22

2:00 PM

Everything You Need to be Doing as a DCB MeLCat Library

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

If your library uses the DCB server for processing MeLCat requests at your library and you are new to MeLCat processing or would just like a refresher of what do to, then this is the webinar for you. This webinar will go over what your library should be doing daily as a MeLCat DCB library. It will cover policies, the basics of lending and borrowing, reports and statistics. This webinar is specifically for DCB libraries already live on MeLCat.

SEP 24

10:00 AM

*In-person* MeLCat Refresher Training for DCB Libraries (Lansing, MI)

Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, 1407 Rensen Street, Lansing, MI, United States

Do you use a DCB server for processing MeLCat requests at your library? Are you new to it? Do you want to know why you have to include a paging slip, a book band or label, and a delivery label on every MeLCat item you send out? Then this class is for you! This is an in-person hands-on workshop for people who do the day-to-day processing of MeLCat requests. It is specifically for libraries already live on the system. We will cover the current MeLCat policies and procedures as well as lending and borrowing practices. Come with questions!

OCT 02

10:00 AM

MeLCat Basics

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

If you need a refresher on MeLCat processing, then this webinar is for you. The MeLCat Basics webinar will cover the policies, lending and borrowing procedures, a reports overview, and statistics. We’ll go over what you should be doing daily as a MeLCat library.

OCT 13

10:00 AM

MeLCat Cataloging

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

This workshop is a “must have” for future MeLCat libraries and new cataloging/Technical Services staff at current ones. Learn or review the basics of cataloging and the application of MARC to them. Learn about MeLCat guidelines to ensure MeLCat participant records are successfully loaded and properly matched against existing records in the statewide MeLCat catalog. A review of important MeLCat terminology precedes a thorough discussion of the matching algorithm and validity checks employed by the MeLCat central server.

OCT 13

2:00 PM

MeLCat Reports

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Do you know what a Too Long report is? In MeLCat, there are reports you can run to find things that have fallen through the cracks. Those items that have been in a specific status for too long. Attend this webinar to find out what reports are available, how to run them and what actions to take with the results. Come with questions!

OCT 14

2:00 PM

RIDES: When Things Go Wrong

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

This one-hour webinar will give you the answers for what to do when things happen outside the normal RIDES process, and other miscellaneous topics. Workshop Pricing: Free for all RIDES library staff. Audience: Staff of RIDES libraries. Registration Information:

OCT 15

2:00 PM

MeLCat Mythbusters

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Have you ever wondered if what you think you know about how MeLCat works is true? How much does the mechanics of MeLCat automatically support the established policies and procedures? Is it the same for everyone? If you’re curious about how, and sometimes why, things work the way they do in MeLCat, join us to bust some common MeLCat myths. Be sure to bring your own favorite myths, questions, or urban MeLCat legends!

OCT 20

2:00 PM

The MeLCat Overdue Process

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

This webinar will discuss how to keep track of your overdue MeLCat items and how to manage following up with them. The process will be gone over in complete detail.

NOV 06

10:00 AM

MeLCat Processing, Policies, and Procedures

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Do you ever wonder why you have to put a MeLCat identifier on every MeLCat item you send out from your library? Do you ever wonder why you have to include the paging slip? Join the MeLCat team as they describe the MeLCat process from start to finish and explain why certain things are done the way they are.

NOV 13

10:00 AM

MeLCat: The Other Stuff

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

This webinar covers a variety of MeLCat topics, including searching and requesting, a delivery overview, and how request balancing works. The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan. Workshop Pricing:

NOV 18

2:00 PM

Everything You Need to be Doing as a DCB MeLCat Library

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

If your library uses the DCB server for processing MeLCat requests at your library and you are new to MeLCat processing or would just like a refresher of what do to, then this is the webinar for you. This webinar will go over what your library should be doing daily as a MeLCat DCB library. It will cover policies, the basics of lending and borrowing, reports and statistics. This webinar is specifically for DCB libraries already live on MeLCat.

NOV 19

2:00 PM

RIDES: Policies and Procedures

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Whether you are new to RIDES or could use a refresher, attend this one-hour webinar that will give you an overall review of the RIDES delivery process. You will learn about the proper procedures and policies to assist in the efficient delivery and receipt of your library’s materials.

DEC 04

10:00 AM

MeLCat Help! Finding the Answers to Your MeLCat Questions

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Do you ever wonder if there is a place to go to get answers to your MeLCat questions? Join the MeLCat team as they explain where to get help and find answers to MeLCat questions and issues. This 60 minute webinar will give an overview of the MeLCat help page, the MeLCat wiki and other important sites and documentation. Who should attend? Anyone who does day-to-day processing of MeLCat requests and would like to understand where and how to get help to their MeLCat questions.

DEC 11

10:00 AM

MeLCat Reports

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Do you know what a Too Long report is? In MeLCat, there are reports you can run to find things that have fallen through the cracks. Those items that have been in a specific status for too long. Attend this webinar to find out what reports are available, how to run them and what actions to take with the results. Come with questions!

DEC 15

10:00 AM

Advanced MeLCat Cataloging

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

This workshop is a continuation of the basic MeLCat Cataloging course. After a review of the MeLCat matching algorithm and exercises focusing on both original and copy cataloging, this course will cover an exploration of master record selection, how to “reverse lookup” records from their MeLCat server of origination, and other important things to keep in mind when creating or modifying records.

DEC 16

2:00 PM

RIDES: What Happens at the Warehouse?

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Have you ever wondered what happens at the courier warehouse and where your materials go? In this webinar, you will get a sneak peek at the RIDES sorting and delivery process to better understand how materials move through the courier system. Workshop Pricing:

DEC 17

2:00 PM

MeLCat Basics

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

If you need a refresher on MeLCat processing, then this webinar is for you. The MeLCat Basics webinar will cover the policies, lending and borrowing procedures, a reports overview, and statistics. We’ll go over what you should be doing daily as a MeLCat library.

Funding for MeL is provided in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.