What are eBooks?
eBooks are electronic versions of printed books. eBooks can be viewed online on any PC connected to the Internet. You can browse eBooks for quick research and reference or check them out and read them at your leisure. Since eBooks are online, they’re available at your convenience–anywhere, anytime. You also don’t have to worry about returning them. eBooks are automatically returned at the end of your checkout period.

What is netLibrary?
netLibrary™ offers libraries and organizations around the world the most comprehensive collection of electronic books (eBooks) available, making it possible for you to access a wide range of research, reference, and reading materials online. netLibrary eBooks are easy to use. They are accessible from any location. Searching them is fast and efficient. You can search every word in every eBook, as well as search within a particular eBook. This guide will explain how to access an eBook collection directly from your library or organization, or remotely via the netLibrary web site.

The eBooks in your library or organization’s collection were purchased to meet the needs of your university, school, organization, or community. In addition, when you search the collection, you’ll note an option for accessing publicly accessible eBooks – classic works of literature and history.

Accessing the eBook Collection
First, think about how you wish to use eBooks. If you only wish to search and browse eBooks, you will not need to create an account. In this case, skip to Searching for an eBook to get started. If, however, you wish to check out eBooks for an extended time and/or access them from outside of your library or organization using a computer with an Internet connection, you will need to create an account that identifies you as an authorized user. See Creating an eBook Account.

Creating an eBook account
Establishing an account allows you to check out an eBook or access it remotely, but you should first create the account from within your library or organization.

How to create an account: Ask your librarian or the eBook contact in your organization how to access the web page with the Create an account function. In most cases, you can enter http://www.netLibrary.com and use the Create an account link.
Enter your identifying information (user name, password, email address).
Select the Submit button.

Logging In
Each time you wish to check out an eBook or access it remotely, you must first log in. (If you are creating a new account, you will be logged into your library or organization’s eBook collection automatically.)

How to log in: Go to www.netLibrary.com and enter your user name and password on the right side of the screen.
Select the red Log In button.
You now have access to all eBooks available in your library or organization’s collection.

Searching for an eBook Start your search in one of two places:

The Keyword Search box is located at the top right of your browser window on the main navigation bar. A keyword search allows you to search for a word or phrase in the title, author, Library of Congress subject heading, publisher, and ISBN fields. To perform a keyword search, enter the search term. Note: To do a phrase search, submit your search in quotes – for example, “small business.” Select the Go button to display search results.

To perform a more advanced search, fill in any or all of the fields that appear on the home page including title, author, subject, keywords, full text, publisher, pub year, and ISBN. Note: To do a phrase search, submit your search in quotes – for example, “small business.” Select the red Search button to display search results.

You have the option to add titles to a personal collection called My Favorites, a stored list that allows you to access titles at a later time without doing another search. Just select the box to the left of each title and click the red Add button.

Browsing an eBook
You may browse an eBook without logging in. Browsing an eBook is the equivalent of taking a book off the shelf and looking through it. While you are actively using it, no other user will have access to it. If 15 minutes elapses without active use, the book is “put back on the shelf ”and another user will have access.

How to browse an eBook: Search for an eBook.
Select the eBook title from your search results to display the eBook Summary page.
Select the Browse this eBook online link.
The eBook is displayed. To learn how to use an eBook, select the Help tab at the top of your screen.
 
Checking out an eBook
To check out an eBook, you must first log in. Checking out an eBook gives you exclusive use of the eBook for the checkout period determined by your library or organization. The eBook is automatically returned when the checkout period expires.

How to check out an eBook: Search for an eBook.
Select the eBook title from your search results to display the eBook Summary page.
Select the Check out and read online link. This option automatically checks out the title and places it on your eBookshelf. (To access your eBookshelf, you must be logged in. You can either select the eBookshelf link on the right side of the screen or the button located on the navigation bar at the top of the home page.)