By Staff
As a result of funding being withheld by the state, Niles District Library has suspended interlibrary loan services for a six month period effective May 21, 2007. Many other area libraries have also stopped doing interlibrary loans.
For many years Southwest Michigan Library Cooperative (SMLC) has provided services which have made interlibrary loan possible for our library and many others in our corner of the state. The primary source of funding for SMLC and other library cooperatives in the state is Michigan State Aid.
Fifty percent of this funding for the current fiscal year is being withheld per Governor Granholm's Executive Directive 2007-11. Cuts appear to be likely in funding for the 2008 Fiscal year.
This has created a serious financial crisis for SMLC and some of the other library cooperatives in Michigan. As a result, SMLC has been forced to effectively close its doors as of May 31. All permanent staff has been eliminated and all services will cease effective June 30, 2007. This includes ending all interlibrary loan services to member libraries.
At the end of the six month period Niles District Library will reassess the situation and make a determination about the feasibility of renewing our interlibrary loan services.
The Library of Michigan is working toward statewide database which will include books in hundreds of Michigan public, college and other libraries. Many libraries are already on database, known as MeLCat , and it is working well. Patrons are able to search the catalog and initiate interlibrary loans without the assistance of library staff.
Niles District Library expects to join MeLCat within the next 18 to 24 months. This will be the long term solution to the issue of interlibrary loan for our library, and many others.
This will, of course, be an adjustment for our patrons. It will also be an adjustment for our staff. We have grown accustomed to being able to get books – any book – for our patrons, and take pride in providing this excellent customer service. We look forward to being able to do so again.
Please be aware that the MichiCard program continues to operate. Any of our resident-patrons may request a MichiCard sticker, which is placed on their library card. The sticker provides borrowing privileges at hundreds of libraries in Michigan.
Questions and comments about the loss of interlibrary loan services may be directed to Nancy Studebaker, director.