What is an eBook?
The term eBook applies to published materials, such as reference books, scholarly
monographs, and trade books that have been converted into digital format for
electronic distribution. eBooks are much more powerful than traditional books.
NetLibrary eBooks are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week - from any
location in the world, with additional features such as a dictionary, index, and
easy keyword searchability.
Back to Top
How does the NetLibrary system work?
A library purchases a collection of titles just as they would print titles. NetLibrary
handles all of the technology and hosts the eBooks from our servers. The library determines
the authentication strategy – patrons can find eBooks through eBook MARC
records in the OPAC, or from the library website. As with print books, only one
patron at a time may access each copy of an eBook. The library sets the checkout time for
each eBook through our secure Library Resource Center. The Library Resource
Center also allows you to see usage and collection development reports.
Back to Top
How is NetLibrary different?
While some contend the convenience of electronic content will diminish the value of
libraries, we see otherwise. Ours is the only comprehensive approach that fits the
missions and methods of librarians and publishers who work with them. From partnerships
with established suppliers to OPAC integration capability, we strive to continue to
make the addition of eBooks easily compatible with the ways libraries and librarians
already work. In addition, NetLibrary's eBooks include copyright protection features,
thereby preserving the traditional needs of publishers in a changing world.
Back to Top
How are eBooks produced?
NetLibrary receives new titles from a publisher in electronic or print format. The
electronic file or print book is then converted. Non-text pictures, diagrams, and illustrations are
then integrated into the converted document. Enhancements to the eBook include live
links from the Table of Contents and Index and an embedded version of The American
Heritage™ Dictionary of the English Language.
All finished eBooks are meticulously compared with the original to ensure accuracy.
Each eBook emulates its print counterpart, maintaining the books copyright and making
viewing familiar and easy.
Back to Top
What value do eBooks add to my library?
With a collection of eBooks, you can add thousands of titles to your collection,
with all the same rights of ownership as print books, without having to build any
additional shelves or storage facilities, without investing in additional hardware
or software. Other benefits include no re-shelving, no lost, stolen, or overdue
books. What’s more, you will have access to the Library Resource Center, which allows you
to track usage of eBooks locally. These reports provide you with valuable data to help
you grow and shape your collection to meet the needs of your library users.
Back to Top
How do eBooks benefit my library patrons?
By adding eBooks to your collection, you position your library on the cutting edge
of electronic resources and expand the formats in which you provide information to
your patrons. With NetLibrary eBooks, your patrons can access library resources
anywhere, anytime, with the ability to perform full-text searching across hundreds
of books or within a specific book to speed research and reference projects. These
books can be viewed online in your library or from home using an Internet browser.
Added benefits also include an embedded dictionary in
each book with accompanying visuals and verbal pronunciation, as well as hyperlinks
from both the table of contents and index.
Back to Top
How would eBooks support e-Learners in my community?
eBooks are a perfect solution to the problem of providing distance learners with
access to a full library of books. eBooks can be accessed anytime, anywhere with
the same circulation model that traditional libraries offer: one user accessing
books for a designated check-out time.
Back to Top
What titles are available?
We currently have more than 40,000 eBooks available, with more being added every day.
Right now, you can add thousands of titles from ABC-CLIO, Barrons, IDG Books Worldwide,
John Wiley & Sons, McGraw-Hill, NTC/Contemporary, Nolo.com, O'Reilly and Associates, Oxford
University Press, Rosen Publishing, and The Millbrook Press. Subject areas include
consumer health, computer how-to, business, travel, consumer law, juvenile study aids,
and others. When you purchase an eBook collection, your library users also have access
to nearly 4,000 publicly accessible literature and history classics. For an up-to-the-minute
list of available titles, visit
TitleSelect. Or, to see a
current list of publishers, click here.
Back to Top
How do patrons find our eBooks?
Your patrons can access your eBooks directly through your OPAC or via a link on your
web site. Full-level eBook MARC records cataloged in MARC21 format are available for
all NetLibrary eBooks.
Back to Top
How do I promote my eBook Collection?
With the input of librarians we designed a marketing resource to help you raise awareness
and increase usage of your eBook collection, the eBook Tool Kit.
The eBook Tool Kit web site contains practical tips and tools for making your eBooks accessible and creating
and executing a marketing plan.
Back to Top
How do patrons check eBooks in and out?
After locating an eBook in your collection, your patrons have the option of browsing
or checking out the eBook. By checking out an eBook, users will have exclusive access to the
book during the checkout period set by your library. eBooks are automatically checked back in to the
NetLibrary collection when the checkout period expires.
Back to Top
Can more than one person at a time check out the same book?
At this time, NetLibrary's patent-pending technology ensures that only one person
can use one eBook copy at a time. If a library or organization has purchased ten
copies of one title, then only ten people at a time may view that title. In addition,
NetLibrary is currently reviewing different access models that meet both library
demands and publisher needs.
Back to Top
What happens if an eBook is not available?
When an eBook is checked out, the NetLibrary system displays a message indicating
that the eBook is not available.
Back to Top
Can I print a hardcopy version of an eBook or pages from an eBook?
Visitors can copy or print single pages, just as people can photocopy single pages
of a print book. NetLibrary, however, has developed mechanisms for limiting the copying
and printing of eBooks from the Internet. If a user is rapidly viewing multiple pages
of an eBook – a pattern that indicates the possibility of page-by-page printing –
NetLibrary will display a copyright notice and instruct the user to discontinue his or
her actions. If the pattern continues, the account becomes disabled for a period of
time, and the event is logged for tracking purposes.
Back to Top
How will I know what eBooks are being circulated?
In order to provide our library customers with flexibility and control, we built a
secure web site that we call the Library Resource Center, with tools that facilitate library
management. These tools include usage statistics, the ability to set checkout times,
and turnaway statistics – the number of times patrons tried to check out a title but
were turned away because the book was already checked out. These reports provide
valuable data to help you grow and shape your collection.
Back to Top
How do I purchase eBooks?
You may purchase eBooks from NetLibrary directly using TitleSelect,
from authorized NetLibrary distributors
and, in many cases, through your consortium.
Back to Top
What other libraries are customers?
There are currently more than 5,500 libraries accessing NetLibrary eBooks either
through individually owned collections, shared collections via consortia, or both.
Our customers include many of the well-known public libraries and library systems in
the U.S.
Public Customer Profiles
Back to Top
How much does it cost?
Libraries can select collections or choose individual titles to create a custom
collection. Prices are based on publishers' list prices, with discounts for volume.
There is also a service fee which helps us manage and continually upgrade our
technology. Remember, NetLibrary is not a subscription service. You own the eBooks.
For more information, call us at 1-800-413-4557, or e-mail at
sales@netlibrary.com
Back to Top
Can eBooks be set up as a standing order?
Yes, NetLibrary works directly with selectors to profile your library and set up
standing orders.
Back to Top
A Note on Privacy
NetLibrary supports the American Library Association's Code of Ethics. We believe
that ensuring the privacy of library users is both an ethical obligation and critical
to the ongoing success of the Internet.
Back to Top
|
