The Benefits of eBooks

What are 10 good reasons my library should purchase netLibrary eBooks?

The accessibility of eBooks makes them an ideal resource for supporting different segments of your community, such as college students, faculty, and staff, community college and elementary and secondary students, homeschooled children, e-Learners, the local business community, and busy parents and families.

1. 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, or staff time.

2. A collection of eBooks enables you to provide your library users twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week access to reliable content from respected publishers.

3. With automatic check-in, there is no re-shelving, no lost, stolen, damaged, or overdue books. Your library may determine the checkout period for each title, allowing you, for example, to shorten the checkout period in order to circulate a book to more users during periods of high demand.

4. All netLibrary customers have access to the Library Resource Center. The report functions of the Library Resource Center provide librarians with an unprecedented view of collections usage. Reports such as Popular eBooks and Turn-Away Statistics add a new dimension to decision making for collection development and management in libraries.

5. The search technology in netLibrary eBooks allows your library users to search for words or phrases within one book or across all the eBooks you have purchased to locate quickly the information needed, making research and reference easier.

6. Houghton-Mifflin's The American Heritage™ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition is embedded in every netLibrary eBook. While using an eBook, you can look up a word by selecting the dictionary tab on the tool palette and keying in the word, or by highlighting and double clicking a word. The dictionary also provides audio pronunciations of each word. Three additional dictionaries are available: The American Heritage™ Children's Dictionary, The American Heritage™ De-vulgarized Dictionary and The American Heritage™ Student's Dictionary.

7. Full level eBook MARC records in MARC21 format allow eBooks to be fully integrated into your existing catalog. Those using your online catalog will be able to access eBooks directly from your OPAC using any PC with an Internet connection.

8. 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 checkout time.

10. By adding a collection of eBooks to your library, you will be providing your library users with a digital library as easy to use as a traditional library, only faster, more efficient, and globally accessible.