Quick Summary
Last year, Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) was the highest circulating consortium on Overdrive, two years running. In this Q&A, executive director Sherry Wichitchu shares insights into their strategic approach, collaborative efforts among member libraries, and their vision for the future of digital access.
Tell us a little bit about MELSA - what is its background and its overall mission.
The Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) is the largest regional library system by population in Minnesota, working with eight metro library systems and over 100 public library locations. Its mission is to ensure high-quality resources and programming for the region's public library users. MELSA's success, particularly in digital circulation, stems from a dedicated team of collection professionals from both MELSA and its member libraries, who prioritize providing a diverse and quality collection tailored to community needs.
What strategies or initiatives contributed to your consortium becoming the highest circulating consortium on Overdrive and meeting that demand?
To meet this demand, MELSA focuses on strategic initiatives, including:
- Dedicated Collection Team: A collaborative team from MELSA and member libraries continuously reviews the collection and develops strategies to enhance user experience.
- Always Available Titles: MELSA invests in "Always Available" titles, such as comics and collections from Minnesota and independent authors, to ensure users have immediate access to content while waiting for high-demand holds.
- Community-Driven Focus: MELSA's collection decisions are guided by the needs of individual communities and the broader metro region, ensuring relevance and accessibility.
How have member libraries worked with you to help maximize access and engagement with digital collections?
This surge in demand highlights the metro areaā€™s strong engagement with libraries and digital resources, facilitated by user-friendly platforms, like the Libby app.
What trends have you noticed in ebook and digital audiobook borrowing?
MELSA has seen exponential growth in ebook and digital audiobook borrowing. In 2023, the system recorded over 11 million checkouts, increasing to over 12 million in 2024, with nearly 4 million checkouts already in the first quarter of 2025.
Are there new initiatives to further enhance digital access to libraries and patrons? What feedback have you gotten from libraries or patrons?
Looking forward, MELSA aims to continue providing and enhancing its digital resources. This will be achieved by:
- Maintaining a dedicated team of collection professionals who prioritize community needs.
- Continuing to explore and implement strategies to ensure accessibility and meet growing demand.
- Continuing to engage with member library and Libby leadership to ensure the best possible service.
Recently, users have raised concerns about the ongoing funding for digital resources. MELSA clarifies that neither its Libby collection nor any regional public library system's ebook collection is directly funded by federal money. Therefore, these collections are not immediately affected by federal funding cuts.
What else would you like to share about your consortiumā€™s success and future plans?
MELSA's success is attributed to its commitment to providing quality resources, its collaborative approach with member libraries, and its responsiveness to community needs.
