What are eBooks?

What is netLibrary?

Lakewood Public Library/OPLIN eBook Collection

Accessing the eBook Collection

Creating an eBook account

Logging In

Searching for an eBook

Browsing an eBook

Checking Out an eBook

Must I be connected to the Internet to access netLibrary's titles?

What are the system requirements for the netLibrary eBook Reader software?

How long can titles be checked out?

What happens when the loan period expires?

Can I print an eBook?

Who do I contact if I need more information?

 

 

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?
Lakewood Public Library, through the Ohio Public Library Information Network, OPLIN, has purchased approximately 2800 electronic books (eBooks) from netLibrary. netLibrary offers libraries and organizations around the world the most comprehensive collection of electronic books, or eBooks, available. Lakewood Public Library and OPLIN in concert with netLibrary, make it possible for you to access a wide range of research, reference and reading materials online.

Lakewood Public Library/OPLIN eBook Collection
The eBooks in this collection were purchased to supplement our print collection and meet the needs of our users in the areas of business and technology. 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.

How to create an account:
1. For your first visit and registration, you must be at the Lakewood Public Library
2. Enter your identifying information (user name, password, email address).
3. Select the Submit button. For subsequent use you can go directly to netLibrary from home and log in to the account you have set up.

Logging in
Each time you wish to check out an eBook or access it remotely, you must first log in.

How to log in:
1. Go to www.netLibrary.com and enter your user name and password on the right side of the screen. Remember, the first time you use netLibrary you must create an account from inside the library. See How to create an account above.
2. Select the red Log In button.
3. You now have access to all eBooks available in the Lakewood Public Library/OPLIN 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.

If you locate a title that is not in our collection, netLibrary will indicate that this title is not available.

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. 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 the eBook collection, you must begin online. After you have created an eBook account you may choose to download an eBook for offline viewing using the free netLibrary 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 3 days.

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 in Lakewood Public Library's Technology Center can help you set up a netLibrary account and answer your questions about using eBooks. Need help over the telephone? Call the Technology Center at 216-226-8275 x127. Questions can also be submitted by email to lpl@lkwdpl.org.