Supporting Michigan Libraries - 10/16/2025

The Great Lock-In: Time to Level Up, Without Burning Out

As the days grow shorter and the cozy season sets in, it’s officially The Great Lock-In! That time of year when library professionals can finally slow down, reflect, and invest in their own learning. Whether you're curled up with a blanket or hunkered down at your desk, the Library of Michigan (LM) has the resources to help you grow your skills and stay inspired.

Designed with Michigan’s library professionals in mind, the Library Science Collection at the Library of Michigan serves public, academic, and school libraries alike. We’ve continued to invest in new titles this year, and now there are even more ways to access the materials you need, wherever you are.

Here’s how you can explore and use the collection:

📚 Borrow Print Items via MeLCat!

We’re back on MeLCat! That means you can request LM titles through your home library using MeL.org. Browse the latest professional development additions online by visiting the ANSWER catalog link and use “Library Science Collection” in the Search field to filter your results.

💻 Online via Gale eBooks on MeL.org

Prefer digital access? We’ve added 95 new library science titles to the Gale eBooks collection on MeL.org, featuring content from ALA and Libraries Unlimited. These eBooks are available to anyone in Michigan, no login required.

Professional Growth, Not Burnout

Find a sample survey, modify a program idea or try assessing a small portion of your community (fall cozy mystery readers vs horror/spooky/thriller readers). The Great Lock-In is about intentional learning, not overloading your plate. We know library professionals are juggling a lot! Let this be a time to recharge your mind, not exhaust it. Whether you skim, read one chapter or dive into a full book, give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. This autumn, take a moment for yourself and your professional growth. Brew a beverage, pick up a great read, and let LM be your partner in learning. No stress required.

How to Find the Library Science Gale eBook Collection on MeL.org

mel.org > eResources > G > Gale eBooks > Library Science Collection

Go to mel.org
Select eResources
Select "G"
Select Gale eBooks
Select "Library Science" collection in the left side of the screen, under "View Collections"

If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact [email protected] for help.

Brought to you by Shauna Quick, Technology Access Consultant at Library of Michigan

Author/editor: Hi! I'm Shauna Quick, the Technology Access Consultant at the Library of Michigan. In exploring how AI can support libraries, I’ve been testing different use cases, like creating clear, helpful instructions for this MeL Minute. I ask Microsoft's Copilot to create step by step instructions by giving it my paragraph explanation of how to access the collections.

Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First.

Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, visit http://mel.org, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks.

MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only.

The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.

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