2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Michigan eLibrary Catalog (MeLCat)! Over the past 20 years, MeLCat grew from 12 participating libraries to more than 435 public, school, academic, and special libraries, amassing over 34 million items. 

In honor of MeLCat’s 20th anniversary, we’re asking Michigan residents to share their MeLCat stories. To highlight their own library’s participation, MeLCat participating libraries are invited to download a press release template to highlight their own library’s participation in MeLCat to send out to their local media outlets or use in their own communications. 

The Library of Michigan and MCLS work with MeLCat participating libraries to ensure that requested library materials move around Michigan in a timely and efficient manner to those who need them.

If you need historical statistics or have any MeLCat questions or issues, please contact us at melcathelp@mcls.org. 

The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.