MeLCat (Michigan eLibrary Catalog)
If you are unable to find what you are looking for in Baldwin’s catalog, try your search in MeLCat [link opens in new tab]. MeLCat is the free, easy-to-use interlibrary loan system that allows Michigan library cardholders in good standing to borrow books and other library materials from over 450 participating Michigan libraries! Items BPL cardholders request through MeLCat are delivered to Baldwin for your convenience, and circulate for either four weeks or two weeks. If you are a reciprocal patron and your library participates in MeL, you will pick up your items at your home library instead.
To renew MeL items, call the Information Desk (248-554-4630) or visit the library. Please note that our automatic renewal service includes eligible MeL items. Items that have a 4-week loan period can be renewed once, and items that have a 2-week loan period cannot be renewed. Substantially overdue MeL items cannot be renewed.
Replacement costs for MeL items are set by the lending libraries; please call and speak with the Information Desk if you have lost a MeL item. Note that a lost MeL item is automatically billed as a $100.00 default amount; however, almost all of the participating libraries will instead charge the true replacement cost, which is generally a much lower amount.
Once you find an item you want in the MeL catalog [link opens in new tab]:
- Click on “Get It For Me” on the item record. You will be taken to a log-in page.
- Select “Baldwin Public Library” from the pull-down menu, and enter your library card barcode and name to request the item.
- To search/request more items, use the MeL catalog navigation buttons. If you use your browser’s back button, you may inadvertently order duplicate copies of items.
- You will stay logged into the MeL catalog until you click “Log Out” at the top of the screen (or are inactive in MeLCat for 15 minutes).
- You will receive a notification from Baldwin when the item is delivered to Baldwin and is ready for pickup. It usually takes up to two weeks to receive material through the MeL system.
For a demonstration, watch the MeLCat requesting tutorial [link opens in new tab].
MeL is funded by the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) [link opens in new tab] through the Library of Michigan, part of the Michigan Department of Education. Additional funding is provided by the State of Michigan.
Interlibrary Loan
If the material you are looking for is not available in MeL, and you are a Baldwin cardholder, please call and speak with a librarian about placing an Interlibrary Loan request. It can take up to a month to receive items through ILL, as the system includes most libraries in the continental United States. There may or may not be a fee for borrowing ILL items, but you can stipulate what you are willing to pay.
To renew ILL items, call the Information Desk or visit the library. Renewals are at the discretion of the lending library, and can take several days to process. Although ILL items do not accrue overdue fines, some lending libraries will issue invoices as soon as one week past the due date. Should we receive such an invoice you will be responsible for paying it. Replacement costs for ILL items are set by the lending libraries; please call and speak with Information if you have lost an ILL item.
Consider submitting a purchase suggestion for any item you cannot obtain through MeLCat and/or ILL – our librarians are always looking for ways to expand our collection!