The Wayne State University Library System has just made getting books easier for students and faculty by launching the Michigan Library Exchange (MiLE) service. This new electronic service will allow individuals to use the Internet to request materials from over 100 libraries in southeast Michigan, and have them delivered to the library of their choice. The requests maybe made from a home computer or from computers available at any of the Wayne State libraries.

"MiLE is different from a traditional interlibrary loan because it actually allows users to go online and make the requests themselves rather than having to go to a library and fill out paperwork, " said Louise Bugg, Director of Technical Services at WSU Libraries. "Because MiLE is completely patron initiated, the users see what they need and can make requests immediately."

The MiLE catalog locates titles in public and academic libraries throughout the Detroit metro area including Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan Dearborn, U of D Mercy, Oakland University and many public libraries in, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties.

Funded by a Federal Library Services and Technology Act grant, MiLE hopes to create a model program for libraries throughout Michigan. "The Library of Michigan is enthusiastic about this project and will be interested in the outcomes," said Michigan's State Librarian -- Christie Pearson Brandau. "We are constantly looking for ways to improve library services to all residents of Michigan and MiLE is the next step in that journey."

For more information on accessing MiLE visit the Web site at www.mile.coop, or the Wayne State University Library System Web site at www.lib.wayne.edu.

Wayne State University is a premier institution offering more than350 academic programs through 14 schools and colleges to more than 31,000students in metropolitan Detroit.