Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and interlibrary loan provide access to materials beyond the Lydia M. Olson Library collections. MeL is a statewide library service that offers access to shared resources for Michigan residents. Interlibrary loan allows patrons to request books, articles, and other materials from participating libraries when those items are not available locally. These services are available at no cost to NMU associated patrons, Community Borrowers can find similar services at Peter White Public Library in downtown Marquette, or at their local library.
MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan
Detailed Image Description
The image is a three-part Venn diagram comparing MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan (ILL). The left (or top, on mobile), circle is gold and labeled “MeLCat.” The right (or bottom, on mobile), circle is green-blue and labeled “Interlibrary Loan (ILL).” The overlapping middle section is labeled “Both.” Each section contains short bullet points describing characteristics of the service.
- MeLCat (yellow circle): Described as a Michigan-based interlibrary loan system. It has an estimated delivery time of 7 to 14 days. It cannot be used to request scans of journal articles or book chapters.
- Interlibrary Loan (ILL) (green-blue circle): Described as a worldwide interlibrary loan system. The estimated delivery time is 14 to 21 days for books and 1 to 3 days for journal articles. It allows users to request scans of journal articles and book chapters.
- Both (overlapping center): Users can request physical loans through either service, but they are advised to check MeLCat first.
The purpose of the diagram is to help library patrons understand the differences and overlap between Michigan’s statewide MeLCat system and the broader worldwide Interlibrary Loan system. The visual contrast between the gold and green circles helps distinguish the two services while emphasizing the shared middle section labeled “Both.”
What is MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan?
MeLCat is a Michigan-based interlibrary loan system and is the fastest option for borrowing physical items not available through Olson Library. Eligible materials include books, DVDs, and CDs. Delivery typically takes 7–14 days.
MeLCat does not support requests for journal articles or scanned book chapters. These materials must be requested through Interlibrary Loan.
How to Request a MeLCat Item
- Visit Mel.org
- Search by title, author, ISBN, or keyword.
- Click the button labelled, "Get this from MeLCat."
- Select, "Northern Michigan University" as your library.
- Enter your full name and the barcode number from the back of your NMU ID.
Items can be picked up and returned to the Information Services Desk, located on the second floor of Harden Hall. You will receive an email notification when your item is available. You may also log in to your MyMeLCat account to track the status of your requests.
MeLCat Loan Periods
- Most items are due 28 days from the pickup date.
- Items borrowed from public academic libraries may have a 90-day loan period.
- CDs and DVDs are due 14 days from the pickup date and are not eligible for renewal.
- Items will be held on the hold shelf for 10 days.
MeLCat Renewals
Non-media items may be renewed once. The renewal request must be submitted before the item’s due date. To renew:
- Log in to MyMeLCat.
- Click the link for currently checked-out items.
- Select Renew all or choose individual items and click Renew selected.
Interlibrary Loan provides access to materials not available through NMU or MeLCat. Requests may include journal articles, book chapters, and physical books. Delivery of scanned materials typically takes 1–3 days. Physical items may take 14–21 days.
How to Submit an ILL Request
- Log in to your Interlibrary Loan Account.
- Select Create Request.
- Choose the request type: Article, Book, or Other.
- Complete the citation form with as much information as possible.
You may enter a preferred “need by” date to help prioritize time-sensitive requests.
Items can be picked up and returned to the Information Services Desk on the second floor of Harden Hall. You will receive an email when a physical item is ready or a download link for digital content.
ILL Loan Periods and Renewals
Loan periods are determined by the lending library. To request a renewal:
- Log in to your ILL account.
- Click the Renew button next to the item.
- The lending library will review and either approve the renewal with a new due date or deny the request.
For extended projects or special circumstances, contact Olson Library’s ILL staff for assistance with due date accommodations.
Submitting Requests
- OCLC symbol: EZN
- RIDES code: 101-ZA008
- We accept: OCLC requests (preferred), ALA requests, and domestic or international requests.
Delivery and Payment
- Consortium participation: LVIS, Michigan libraries
- Article delivery: Article Exchange
- Accepted payment methods: IFM (preferred), IFLA vouchers, invoice
Fees for Non-Reciprocal Partners or Non-Consortium Members
Domestic Fees
- Loans: $20
- Scans: $15
International Fees
- Loans: $50 or 5 IFLA vouchers
- Scans (up to 40 pages): $15 or 1.5 IFLA voucher
- IFLA amounts are still subject to change based on current exchange rates (the fee stays the same).
Rush Service Charge
Rush services will be charged an additional $10.
All interlibrary loan requests are processed in compliance with Title 17 of the U.S. Code (copyright.gov/title17).
Lending libraries determine the conditions under which their materials may be used. Restrictions may apply for rare, fragile, or valuable items, which may be limited to in-library use or prohibit photocopying.
Failure to follow the terms of use may result in the suspension of individual borrowing privileges and could impact NMU’s ability to borrow from that library in the future.