Michigan Library Exchange

MiLE (Michigan Library Exchange) is an interlibrary loan system that allows customers of the Baldwin Public Library to search the catalogs of approximately 100 libraries in southeast Michigan and then request to have books delivered from those libraries to Baldwin. At present, MiLE permits you to borrow only books—not magazine articles or audiovisual materials.

To have books requested to be delivered to Baldwin through MiLE, you must have a Baldwin Public Library card. There is no charge for the service.

Before trying MiLE, first search the Baldwin Public Library catalog. If Baldwin does not have the book you want, then go to MiLE. The address of the MiLE web site is:

http://www.mile.coop

Note that inside the Baldwin Public Library, all public computers have MiLE icons that will connect you directly to the correct address.

Once at the MiLE web site, select as your home library “Baldwin Public Library – Birmingham” and follow these steps:

• When prompted to do so, type in your library card number, which is the barcode number on your library card
• In order to make a new request, cllick on Searching/Requesting. You are then allowed to search by title, author or subject. A typical search takes 30 seconds to complete
• The resulting list tells which libraries have titles that match your search terms.   At the bottom is a list of the titles.  Choose the one that you wish to borrow and click on the Request button to the left of it. 
• MiLE then asks you to verify your name, choose a pickup location ("Baldwin Public Library") and specify the date by which you need to have the book.  Finally, if you have an e-mail address, you may add it in the appropriate box at the bottom of the screen.  Then press the Submit Request button. MiLE will automatically determine from which library you will receive the book.

  If you have entered an e-mail address, you will receive periodic messages from the MiLE system about the status of your request. Whether or not you use e-mail, Baldwin staff will call you once the book has arrived at Baldwin and is ready for you to pick up. You are allowed to check out the book from Baldwin for three weeks and must then return it to Baldwin, rather than to the owning library. No renewals are permitted.

  If you cannot find the title you are looking for in MiLE, or if MiLE is unable to fill your request, please contact Baldwin’s Adult Services Department. The library has other methods of obtaining materials through interlibrary loan and will be happy to assist you in every way possible.

  In fact, if you have any questions at all about Baldwin’s catalog, the MiLE system or interlibrary loan, please feel free to ask a Baldwin librarian.  We’re here to help you get whatever you need for your research or pleasure