A huge thank you to all the libraries and library staff who helped continue to make MeLCat successful in 2024! 

More than 1 million items were requested by patrons throughout the state of Michigan. January 2024 was the busiest month, with patrons placing a whopping 105,811 MeLCat requests! Altogether in 2024, more than 980,000 items were loaned out to patrons all over Michigan.  

The top 5 most requested titles via MeLCat were: 

1. Remarkably bright creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
2. Lessons in chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
3. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
4. The women by Kristin Hannah
5. West with giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

In the Library of Michigan fiscal year (October 2023 – September 2024), the top five lenders were: 

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

While the top five borrowers were: 

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

In 2024, MCLS MeLCat staff helped libraries with many MeLCat questions and issues, and more than 3,740 tickets were opened by library staff. MCLS MeLCat staff also reached more than 290 library staff through more than 50 MeLCat-related trainings. MeLCat’s central server was updated in July 2024, with plans to update more servers in 2025.   

In 2025 MeLCat will celebrate its 20^th anniversary! Stay tuned for information about how we will be celebrating MeLCat in 2025.