Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
Non-profit library consortium providing resource sharing, consorted e-resource purchasing, delivery services, and professional development to academic, public, school, and special libraries across Indiana and Michigan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersLansing, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Midwest Collaborative for Library Services does
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) is a non-profit, member-driven library consortium serving academic, public, school, and special libraries across Indiana and Michigan. Founded in 2010 through the merger of the Michigan Library Consortium (MLC) and the Indiana Cooperative Library Services Authority (INCOLSA), MCLS operates as a cooperative purchasing and shared-services organization rather than a commercial vendor. The consortium supports 421+ member libraries, administering over $25 million annually in e-resources contracts spanning 470 products from 65 vendors and managing 2,165 active subscriptions through its ConsortiaManager platform.
MCLS's core technology stack comprises four proprietary and operated platforms: MeLCat, a statewide resource sharing catalog containing 16 million bibliographic records; RIDES (Regional Interlibrary Delivery Service), a physical item delivery network that moves nearly one million items annually across 438 libraries; MeL eResources, a Michigan statewide database platform; and TALK (Text and Learn for Kindergarten), an early literacy initiative that has expanded from Michigan into Indiana and other states. Supporting infrastructure includes the ConsortiaManager subscription billing platform and a Corsizio-based training registration system. MCLS also maintains a Linked Data Users Group and is transforming MeLCat records into linked data via a partnership with Zepheira Technologies for the Library.Link Network.
The organization's revenue model is built on three streams: annual membership dues from Indiana and Michigan libraries, consorted e-resource purchasing where MCLS negotiates volume discounts and passes savings to members (essentially a pass-through margin on $25M+ in contracts), and fee-based training workshops and consulting services (including strategic planning and community engagement). Distribution is exclusively through direct membership, with vendor discounts and special offers gated to members via coupon codes. The consortium holds core partnerships with state library authorities (Library of Michigan, Indiana State Library) for LSTA grant administration, and operates an extensive ecosystem of channel partnerships with publishers including Elsevier, Bloomsbury, JSTOR, ASTM, EBSCO, OverDrive, and others to deliver discounted content.
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
- Legal name
- Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
- Website
- https://mcls.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Non-profit library consortium providing resource sharing, consorted e-resource purchasing, delivery services, and professional development to academic, public, school, and special libraries across Indiana and Michigan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Midwest Collaborative for Library Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lansing
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Consortial E-Resources Purchasing: MCLS negotiates volume discounts with eResource vendors and passes savings to member libraries. MCLS manages over $25 million annually in e-resources contracts.
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from Indiana and Michigan libraries for access to consortium services, discounted pricing, training, and shared systems
- Training and Workshops: Fee-based professional development workshops and certification programs for library staff
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Library supply and service discounts through vendor partners |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Backstage Library Works services |
| Subscription | Annual | ASTM Digital Library subscription |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Bloomsbury Digital Resources |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Ambrose Video products |
| Other | Monthly | Administrative Assistant position |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MCLS is a non-profit, member-driven library consortium that negotiates and manages consortial pricing on eResources, operates shared resource sharing infrastructure (MeLCat, RIDES), and delivers training, certification, and consulting services for member libraries in Indiana and Michigan. The organization pools purchasing power across 421+ libraries to manage over $25 million annually in eResources contracts and facilitates statewide interlibrary loan and delivery.
Product overview
MCLS is a non-profit, member-driven library consortium serving Indiana and Michigan that operates a platform of interconnected library services. The core offerings include MeLCat (statewide interlibrary loan with 16 million bibliographic records), MeL eResources (databases), RIDES (delivery), and ConsortiaManager (subscription management). Supporting services include TALK (early literacy), training/workshops via Corsizio, consulting, and various eResource offerings through vendor partnerships. The consortium facilitates resource sharing, group purchasing, and professional development for member libraries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MeL (Michigan eLibrary): Statewide electronic library resources and services for Michigan
- MeLCat
- RIDES
- TALK
Products and services
- MeLCat
- RIDES (Regional Interlibrary Delivery Service)
Quantifiable outcome
- Supporting 421 libraries in acquiring 2,165 subscriptions to 470 eContent products from 65 vendors
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Backstage Library WorksminorPartnership offering member libraries discounted services including digitization, microfilm, catalog, and collection management services. Backstage has served libraries since 1986.
- Zepheira TechnologiescorePartnership with Zepheira Technologies to transform the 16 million bibliographic records in MeLCat into linked data for the Library.Link Network, enabling web publishing and improved discoverability.
- Regents of the University of Minnesota (Open Education Network)coreMCLS partners with the Regents of the University of Minnesota to offer consortial membership pricing for the Open Education Network (OEN), providing discounted rates and benefits like community support, professional development, and training.
- Library of MichigancorePartnership with the Library of Michigan for various library initiatives including MeL eResources, MDPN digital preservation, and ARPA grant projects.
- Indiana State LibrarycorePartnership for LSTA grant projects supporting Indiana library staff development and digital literacy. MCLS awarded $7,990 Indiana LSTA grant in 2019 for digital skills workshops.
- ElsevierminorPartnership with Elsevier to support collection development needs and achieve savings on Science Direct eBooks, Reference Works, and eTextbooks for MCLS members.
- ACM (Association for Computing Machinery)minorACM Open journal subscribers through MCLS qualify for 25% discount on perpetual access eBook collections.
- ElsevierminorElsevier offers Evidence-Based Selection (EBS) program allowing libraries access to content before purchase commitment.
- Ambrose Video PublishingminorMCLS members receive 30% or more discount on perpetual access and subscription products from Ambrose Video, including BBC Shakespeare Plays and educational video collections.
- Bloomsbury PublishingminorBloomsbury Open Collections program - collective-action Open Access model where MCLS members participate in spreading publication costs. Year 4 program runs through Dec. 31, 2026.
- InfobaseminorMCLS partners with Infobase offering discounted pricing on databases, Films on Demand, and loyalty programs for current subscribers.
- NewsBankminorNewsBank offers substantial discount incentives (20%+) on digitized Michigan and Indiana newspaper archives through MCLS.
- DocuseekminorDocuseek Spring Special offering 10% off upgrades and collections including The Docuseek Complete Collection 4th Edition and documentary film collections.
- JSTOR (ITHAKA)minorJSTOR partnering with 20+ publishers to offer eBook collections with equitable access models. EBA offers unlimited access to 93,000+ scholarly eBooks.
- American Chemical Society (ACS)minorACS In Focus primers offer savings for MCLS members. Buy at least two collections to receive a discount.
- American Psychological AssociationminorAPA resources available through MCLS eResources catalog.
- ASTM InternationalminorMCLS members receive special pricing on ASTM Standards & Digital Library at more than 60% off list price.
- EBSCO IndustriesminorEBSCO products available through MCLS including SAGE Premier and Wiley eJournals via ConsortiaManager agent billing module.
- OverDriveminorOMIA (OverDrive for Michigan and Indiana Academics) partnership offering Kanopy BASE and academic site licenses with discounts.
- Hotel PlannerminorPartnership with Hotel Planner offers MCLS members significant savings of up to 65% on travel accommodations.
- Brodart CompanyminorExclusive savings on library supplies, equipment, and furniture for MCLS members.
- DemcominorDemco discounts based on library's annual organizational spend for MCLS members.
- Ingram Content GroupminorLibrary supply discounts available through MCLS partnership with Ingram Content Group.
- The Library StoreminorLibrary supply discounts available through MCLS partnership with The Library Store.
- Modern Language Association (MLA)minorMCLS exploring partnership with MLA Handbook. MLA Handbook Plus provides full text of the MLA Handbook plus companion guides and video courses for writing, research, citation, and AI literacy.
- University of Michigan PressminorWebinar partnership presenting 'The Michigan Guide to Balancing Your Open Access Portfolio' covering Big Ten Open Books, Lever Press, University of Michigan Press eBook Collection, Opening the Future, and Opening the Future.
- Harwood Institute for Public InnovationcoreMCLS uses Harwood Institute engagement tools for Community Conversations and strategic planning. Includes Community Conversations 2023 and MCLS Strategic Planning Listening Tour 2024.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Library of Michigan: State library agency partnering with MCLS on statewide initiatives like MeL eResources — adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a competitor.
- Indiana State Library: Indiana state library agency partnering with MCLS on LSTA grants and digital literacy — strategic ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
Direct peers
- NorthNet Library System: California multi-type library cooperative providing consulting, continuing education, and shared services — a comparable mid-sized library support organization.
- BCR (Bibliographical Center for Research): Colorado-based library cooperative offering cataloging, ILL, and training services to libraries across multiple states — overlapping service portfolio with MCLS.
- Bibliomation: Connecticut library consortium providing shared catalog, ILL, and technology services to school and public libraries — comparable consortium model with similar ILL/catalog focus.
- Amigos Library Services: Southwest U.S. library consortium delivering e-resource group purchasing, cataloging, and professional development services to member libraries, comparable in service mix to MCLS.
- Minitex: Minnesota/Iowa/Wisconsin library cooperative providing interlibrary loan, document delivery, and shared e-resources — a close functional match to MCLS's MeLCat, RIDES, and ConsortiaManager stack.
- OhioNET: Ohio-based library consortium offering shared technology, group purchasing, training, and interlibrary services to member libraries, directly analogous to MCLS's model in a neighboring state.
Regional players
- Northeast Kansas Library System: Regional Kansas library system providing shared services and ILL support — analogous consortium structure operating in a different geography.
Broad incumbents
- LYRASIS: Large multi-state non-profit consortium offering technology, preservation, and e-resource services across the U.S., overlapping with MCLS's consortial purchasing and digital preservation roles at a larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services social profiles
Digital presenceMidwest Collaborative for Library Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
What does Midwest Collaborative for Library Services do?
MCLS is a non-profit, member-driven library consortium that negotiates and manages consortial pricing on eResources, operates shared resource sharing infrastructure (MeLCat, RIDES), and delivers training, certification, and consulting services for member libraries in Indiana and Michigan. The organization pools purchasing power across 421+ libraries to manage over $25 million annually in eResources contracts and facilitates statewide interlibrary loan and delivery.
Is Midwest Collaborative for Library Services a public or private company?
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Midwest Collaborative for Library Services founded?
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Midwest Collaborative for Library Services based?
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services is headquartered in Lansing, United States, in the North America region.
How does Midwest Collaborative for Library Services make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Consortial E-Resources Purchasing is the primary driver. The others are membership Dues and training and Workshops.
Who are Midwest Collaborative for Library Services's main competitors?
Others on record are Library of Michigan and Indiana State Library. Direct peers are NorthNet Library System, BCR (Bibliographical Center for Research), Bibliomation, Amigos Library Services, Minitex and OhioNET. Northeast Kansas Library System is listed as a regional player. LYRASIS is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Midwest Collaborative for Library Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Midwest Collaborative for Library Services.