The Michigan eLibrary, or MeL, is a service of the Library of Michigan. It is supported by the State of Michigan as well as by federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. MeL allows libraries around the state to share materials with each other, allowing patrons to borrow books their home library or digital library may not have. To request books through MeL, visit mel.org and use your library card barcode and PIN (last 4 numbers of your phone number) to complete requests. You can also ask the WIDL staff to find and request these books for you. You can also renew your checkouts on MeL.
Libby is a reading app for borrowing digital books, digital magazines, and audiobooks from the library’s digital collection. This free app, created by OverDrive, is available for Android, iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch), and Windows devices. Patrons can borrow 6-10 items per co-op and the content ranges from children to adult. Instructions to set up your Libby account can be found here. As of 1/1/2024, patrons have access to over 397,000 digital items on Libby. Please have your library card barcode number and your PIN (last 4 numbers of your phone number) ready to set up your Libby account.
Hoopla is an app for borrowing digital books, digital magazines, audiobooks, digital comic books, word puzzles, and streaming TV and movies. This free app is available for Android, iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch), and Windows devices as well as smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire Stick. Patrons can borrow 10 items per month per account and the content ranges from children to adult. Hoopla offers a “Kids Mode” where children can access only child-friendly materials and is passcode protected. Patrons can also utilize the BingePass, where you can borrow an entire collection for just one borrow credit! As of 1/1/2024, patrons have access to over 1.4 million digital items on Hoopla. Please have your library card barcode number and your PIN (last 4 numbers of your phone number) ready to set up your Hoopla account. You will also need a valid email address for your Hoopla registration process.
If you want help requesting a book from another library or help setting up the Libby and/or Hoopla apps, you can call WIDL at (906) 265-2831 or bring your charged mobile device into the library.
