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MeL Databases FAQIf your question is not answered here, contact MeL Support at MLC, 800-530-9019. Choose 5 for MeL Support or email meldatabaseshelp@mlcnet.org for MeL Databases email support. 1. What databases are included in the statewide databases subscription? There are over 40 databases in MeL. For the complete listing see: http://mel.org/SPT--BrowseResourcesDatabases.php?ParentId=617 The MeL databases are purchased through Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds administered by the Library of Michigan and through state appropriations. 2. Can my library have access to all of these databases? Yes! Any library in the state can have access to all of the MeL Databases. 3. How can I find out which magazine articles are available in full-text? The MeL OpenURL Resolver generates the Electronic Journal List with full-text information about each database. There is a link to that from the MeL Home page in the Featured Resources box, and there is a button on the top right corner of the alphabetical list of MeL databases (see #1 above). The OCLC and Gale websites contain lists of all of the titles indexed in those databases. These lists also indicate which titles are available in full text online. Periodical Titles in OCLC FirstSearch Thomson Gale Title Lists 4. How long will funding last for the databases? The Library of Michigan has extended contracts with the current vendors to provide access through September of 2010, contingent on continued federal LSTA and state funding. The Library of Michigan intends to keep supporting MeL databases in the future. Please refer to the Library of Michigan announcement for information about the new three-year database contract. The new contract takes effect October 1, 2007, and remains in effect until September 30, 2010. 5. How do I keep current with information about the MeL Databases? The best way to stay current is to come to this web site frequently. Another way to receive information is to subscribe to the MeL Databases electronic mailing list. 6. How can I contact MeL staff? MeL Staff are at the Library of Michigan and at the Michigan Library Consortium. The MeL page at the Library of Michigan can help you determine who it is with whom you need to speak. 7. How can my library sign up for access to the databases? If you would like to register for the MeL databases, please fill out the registration form. 8. Is access by IP address recognition possible? Yes. Any participating library can arrange for IP address access by contacting MeL Support at MLC. 9. I see something on the form that asks for IP numbers. What's that all about? Most database vendors use the Internet Protocol (IP) numbers assigned to your local area network when you were connected to the Internet. These numbers tell the vendor that you are authorized to have access to the databases. Because the vendor authenticates users by IP number, you will not be asked for a password or account number when you access the databases. This means that library patrons and staff can connect to the databases by simply clicking on an icon or hyperlink on your library's home page. Please note: your library's IP must be static (does not change) and dedicated (is used only by your library, no other location in your community). 10. Our library doesn’t have an IP range because we use dial-up for our Internet . Can we still participate? Yes, you can. Your access will, however, be authenticated using passwords and not recognized by the IP address registered. You can receive more detailed information from the MeL Databases support staff at MLC. We encourage all libraries to have static, dedicated IP addresses to use MeL Databases. 11. How do these databases get chosen? Approximately one year prior to the expiration of a contract, the Library of Michigan issues a Request for Proposals (RFP). Vendors who are chosen to participate provide trial access to their products for a team of librarians across the state and from all types of libraries who test and evaluate the products. These evaluations are considered by the Library of Michigan staff who make the final determination, negotiate contracts and implement the projects. Please refer to item #4 above. 12. What about Training? The Library of Michigan uses LSTA funds to contract with the Michigan Library Consortium to offer free MeL training for eight or more library staff members. 13. My library purchases databases that are not part of MeL Databases. Can we display all of the databases to our patrons in one clickthrough list? Yes. Contact the MeL Databases support team for instructions on how to do this. See the other MeL FAQs : MeLCat FAQ MeL Delivery FAQ |
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