MeLCat FAQs

  • General Questions

    An account is automatically created when you place a request. To see your MyMel account, go to https://elibrary.mel.org/patroninfo. You will need to have your GRPL library card to access your account.

    21-day items may be renewed for another 21 days, unless there is a hold for it at the owning library. 7-day items cannot be renewed.

    21 days for books.

    MeLCat allows each patron to have up to 50 requests.

    No. GRPL patrons will have to use their “MyMeL” online account for that information.

    Technically you can place a request. But you won’t receive notification that it has arrived. You may track the progress of your requests online in your “MyMeL” online account to know when the item is ready. Statuses viewable in MyMeL are: REQUESTED IN TRANSIT (when the lending library has sent it) and RECEIVED (when your library receives the item and it’s ready for checkout). 

    MeLCat users need an email account to receive hold pick-up notices and overdue notices. MeLCat does not use telephone or paper notification.

    You must generate the request directly on the MeLCat online catalog (either from home or within the library). You will need to input your library card number and your name to use MeLCat. You will need to do this for each title requested.

    No, the item must be checked out to the MelCat account on which the item is being held.

    You will need a valid GRPL library card. It is also strongly recommended you have an email address so that you can be notified when your item is in. MelCat sends notifications to email only.

    You can return it to any GRPL location.

    Usually within a couple weeks.

    Yes, but the request will be considered only if there are no “available” GRPL copies at the time you make your request. “Available” means any item that has a status of “Available” or “Reshelving.”

    Yes, check with your home library about using MeLCat.

    If you are unable to find an item in either the Evergreen or Lakeland catalogs, you can search MeLCat for an item. This search offers a third tier of resources for titles not found or not currently available on our local catalogs. It is not a replacement for borrowing items within our service area (i.e., Lakeland). If you find an item you are interested in, you can place a request for the material. It will be delivered to the GRPL library of your choice. This is a free service. To use MeLCat, you must be a GRPL cardholder with an active account in good standing (less than $10 in fines, not barred for any reason).

    The Michigan Electronic Catalog (MeLCat) is a statewide card catalog that contains the collections of over 350 libraries (academic and public) in Michigan. A patron of a participating library can borrow items from this catalog and have them delivered to the library for their use. 

    Please note that not all materials included in MeLCat are requestable. Each participating library decides which of its materials it will loan via MeLCat.