Subject Guides: EXPS 298: Writing to Communicate, Learn, and Teach: Finding appropriate books using MeL resources

Novelist K-8 Plus

Novelist K-8 Plus
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Find just the right book by subject, age, awards won, Lexile Reading levels, State standards; even books made into movies, and much more. Read reviews and learn about the author. Create your own reading wish list.
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Michigan residents or Michigan library access only.

This database is an excellent tool for book recommendations, and is made available by MeL to all Michigan residents free of charge.

You can do just the basic searches by keyword, author, title and series, and there are advanced search options by grade level, lexile, and much more. Entries include summaries and reviews, list awards (if any) and even suggest read-alikes. There are also recommended lists of books by grade level, topic, and genre.

Since this database is directly linked into MeLCat, once you find a title you like, you can request that it be sent to you in about 2 clicks. (See more below on how to requests books using MeLCat.)

The video below demonstrates how to do advanced searching by reading levels:

Requesting titles you find in Novelist using MeLCat

You can request titles you find in Novelist K-8 Plus using a statewide library service called MeLCat.

MeLCat is an online catalog and delivery service that allows patrons of hundreds participating Michigan libraries to borrow materials - books, movies, CDs and more - from all over the state and have them delivered to their home library.

Where can I pick up MeLCat requests?

You can choose to pick up your resources from your local public library, and since UM-Dearborn is ALSO a MeLCat participant, you can use your UM-Dearborn library account to request books to be delivered to the Mardigian Library here on campus as well! Just make sure to set up a Library PIN first.

How do I request books that I find in Novelist using MeLCat?

In the Novelist database, you will see a link in each record that says "Check the MeLCat Catalog." Click on that link, and you will be redirected into a MeLCat record.

Simply click on the "Get This For Me!" button or link. The system will present you with a list of participating libraries; select a library where you have a library card/borrower's account. Enter your name and your library card/account number. (Some libraries will also require you to enter your PIN number--UM-Dearborn is among these.) If your library offers multiple pickup locations, you will also need to select one from the list. Press Submit and the request is placed!

You should get an alert email when your items arrive and are ready to be picked up. Make sure to bring your library card (for UM-Dearborn, this is your UMID card) with you when you go to pick up your item(s).

Search MeLCat

ILL/MeLCat Tips

Things to remember about interlibrary loan:

Try MeLCat first for faster delivery of books and A/V items.
The library cannot hold on to items indefinitely. Please pick up items within 10 days. Unclaimed items will be returned to the owning library.
Please do not wait until the last minute to order your items.
Patron information is confidential in compliance with the library's User Privacy Policy.
All items checked out from University Libraries in Ann Arbor can be returned to the Mardigian Library at the main service desk.
Please do not return ILL, MeLCat, or Askwith Media items through campus mail.
If items are lost, you will be charged for replacement of the item, plus a processing fee.