By Staff
This is the third in a series of columns about websites which I find to be among the most useful. I could not possibly do a series about useful websites without including MeL, which can be found at www.mel.org.
MeL is the Michigan eLibrary, an anywhere, anytime library for Michigan residents. MeL contains magazine, newspaper and journal articles, books, and evaluated Web sites. The site can be used by any citizen of the state at no charge 24 hours a day.
MeL includes specialized resources such as those in genealogy, health, business, test preparation, careers and education. It also contains many general resources that cover all subject areas and has resources specifically for children and older students. MeL also provides eBooks and online courses.
MeL is a project of the Library of Michigan, an agency of the state government. The Library of Michigan contracts with the Michigan Library Consortium and partners with a number of Michigan organizations and institutions to provide the MeL service.
This service is funded in part by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan. Additional project support comes from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
The cost of MeL is approximately $3.5 million per year with a savings to the state's libraries, schools, colleges and universities of over $176 million per year.
MeL's "Best of the Web" section provides a categorized listing of web sites. Librarians throughout the state volunteer their time to evaluate these sites and maintain this database. Anyone who has ever been frustrated by trying to find something truly useful among the vast resources of the Internet will appreciate this website.
For example a Google search for "jobs" returns an amazing 633 million results, topped by the very massive job search sites of Jobs.com and Monster.com. On the other hand, there are just 21 sites listed in MeL's "Jobs and Careers" category. While Monster.com is included, most of the sites which are listed have a local focus. There is also a brief description of each website.