A huge thank you to all the libraries and library staff who helped continue to make MeLCat successful in 2023!

In 2023, MeLCat welcomed two new libraries:

• North Central Michigan College
• Clair County Community College

In addition, the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor resumed lending in October 2023.

More than 1 million items were requested by patrons throughout the state of Michigan. January 2023 was the busiest month, with patrons placing a whopping 103,743 MeLCat requests! Altogether in 2023, more than 970,000 items were loaned out to patrons all over Michigan.

The top 5 most requested titles via MeLCat were:

1. Lessons in chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
2. Remarkably bright creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
3. Horse by Geraldine Brooks
4. Demon copperhead by Barbara Kingslover
5. Firekeeper's daughter by Angeline Boulley

In the Library of Michigan fiscal year (October 2022 – September 2023), the top five lenders were:

1. Capital Area District Library
2. Genesee District Library
3. Monroe County Library System
4. Kent District Library
5. Ann Arbor District Library

While the top five borrowers were:

1. Kent District Library
2. Capital Area District Library
3. Monroe County Library System
4. Ann Arbor District Library
5. Jackson District Library

In 2023, MCLS MeLCat staff helped libraries with a plethora of MeLCat questions and issues, and more than 3,150 tickets were opened by library staff. MCLS MeLCat staff also reached more than 300 library staff through more than 45 MeLCat-related trainings.