Learn About eBooks
What
are eBooks?
eBooks are electronic versions of print books. Like
print books, the text found in eBooks is often
enriched with photos, illustrations, graphs and
tables. In eBooks, users can navigate through the
text (e.g. easily search for specific passages) in
ways not possible in print.
What is
netLibrary?
The Tazewell County Public Library has purchased
approximately 14,00 electronic books (eBooks)
from netLibrary. netLibrary™ offers libraries
and organizations around the world the most
comprehensive collection of electronic books, or
eBooks, available. Tazewell County Public Library in
concert with netLibrary, makes it possible for you to
access a wide range of research, reference and
reading materials online.
Tazewell County
Public Library eBook Collection
The eBooks in this collection were purchased to meet
the needs of our end users. In addition, when you
search the collection, you'll note an option for
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 PC
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:
1. Ask your librarian how to access the web page with
the Create an account function. In most cases,
you can enter www.netLibrary.com
and use the Create an account link.
2. Enter your identifying information (user name,
password, email address).
3. 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:
1. Go to www.netLibrary.com
and enter your user name and password on the right
side of the screen.
2. Select the red Log In button.
3. You now have access to all eBooks available in
Tazewell County Public Library'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 select the Add to
My Favorites box to the right of each title. This
feature allows you to add titles to a list so you can
easily access them at a later time without executing
another search.
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:
1. Search for an eBook.
2. Select the eBook title from your search results to
display the eBook Summary page.
3. Select the Browse this eBook online
link.
4. 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:
1. Search for an eBook.
2. Select the eBook title from your search results to
display the eBook Summary page.
3. Select either the Check out and read online
link or the Download and read offline link.
Both options automatically check out the title and
place 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.)
4. If you select Download and read offline you
will first need to download the FREE netLibrary eBook
Reader.™ Select the Downloading eBooks
link from the Learn More About eBooks section
on the home page.
Must I be
connected to the Internet to access netLibrary's
titles?
Yes. To view, browse, and check out your library or
organization's eBook collection, you must begin
online. After you have created an eBook account
through your library or organization, you may choose
to download an eBook for offline viewing using
netLibrary's free eBook Reader™
software.
What are the minimum
system requirements for the netLibrary eBook Reader
software?
1. Pentium 100 or equivalent processor
2. 32 MB of RAM
3. 20 MB of free hard disk space
4. Windows 95/98, NT 4.0 or greater
Note: Not compatible with Macintosh, WebTV, or any
version of Unix
How long can
titles be checked out?
The loan period is two hours. This loan period may be
adjusted in the future as we gain a better
understanding of user needs and interests.
What happens when the
loan period expires?
The eBook will be automatically checked back in and
will be made available to other users. You can also
return the book before the due date by simply
choosing that option.
Can I print an
eBook?
You can print single pages of an eBook, much like you
can print a single page of a print book on a
photocopy machine. Sections of pages, within
limitations, can also be copied and pasted into
reports and presentations.
Who do I contact
if I need more information?
Staff at Tazewell County Public
Library can help you set up a netLibrary account
and answer your questions about using eBooks.
Last Updated 9/5/06
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