We all love Google™, but Michigan educators and their students don’t have to depend on that tool or any Web browser exclusively when lesson planning and doing research. There is an excellent alternative: the Michigan eLibrary (MeL). MeL is Michigan ’s 24/7 Library—available anytime, anywhere—with Internet access. Part of the Library of Michigan, MeL officially began in 1996 with a collection of subject specialist selected Internet resources reflecting diverse topic areas.

The following year, as part of the AccessMichigan project, licensed commercial databases were added along with training for Michigan 's libraries. 2002 saw a historical digital collection—The Making of Modern Michigan—added to MeL and then in 2005 MeL lept forward with the addition of MeLCat, the statewide patron-initiated interlibrary loan service with now over 250 participating libraries—school, public, academic and special—throughout the State of Michigan.

Michigan School Administrators need to know about MeL. Using it yourselves and promoting MeL to your teachers will only enhance learning by providing authoritative information for professional and curricular needs, lesson planning, and student assignments. In September (2008) we will be debuting a new component in MeL, the Michigan Online Resources for Educators (MORE).

This portal, which is a joint project of the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Education and Wayne State University, will point to thousands of free resources such as lesson plans, videos, podcasts, interactive Web sites and educational games. Even more exciting than this is that these resources are aligned to and searchable by Michigan 's Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) as well as the High School Content Expectations (HSCEs). MORE users can also submit, rate and review resources and check employment opportunities in education all in one convenient place.

Students and their parents can also benefit when using MeL. The Michigan eLibrary contains vetted materials such as practice tests and tutorials (college entrance exams, K-12 skills improvement, vocational tests, etc.), full-text articles from magazines, professional journals and newspapers, maps, art images and much, much more, all free and accessible by teachers, students, and parents to enhance teaching and learning.