Holdrege Area Public Library • 604 East Avenue, Holdrege, NE 68949 • (308) 995-6556

NetLibrary QuickStart Guide

What are eBooks?
eBooks are electronic versions of printed books. eBooks can be viewed online from any PC connected to the Internet. You can preview eBooks for quick research and reference or check them out for exclusive research use for four hours at a time.  Since eBooks are online, they’re available at your convenience –anywhere, anytime. You never have to worry about returning them.  The Public Library System's collection of netLibrary eBooks contains more than 14,000 titles!

What is netLibrary?

netLibrary is an Internet-based service that offers the most comprehensive collection of eBooks available. You can access a wide range of research, reference, and reading materials online from any location. You can search across many eBooks, or conduct your search within a particular eBook. This guide will explain how to access an eBook collection directly from within your library or remotely via the Internet.

Accessing the eBook Collection

First, think about how you wish to use eBooks.  If you only want to briefly preview an eBook you have found using the library catalog, you will not need to create an account.  If this is the case, skip to the "Searching for an eBook" section below to get started. 

If, however, you plan to use an eBook for in-depth research or would like to be able to check it out for exclusive research use for four hours at a time, you will need to create an account that identifies you as an authorized user of your library’s eBooks.

Creating an eBook account

If you wish to be able to check out eBooks for exclusive research use, create bookmarks, or save notes, you will be required to create a netLibrary user account from within the Public Library System building.  You will only need to do this once.

  1. Ask your librarian or the eBook contact in your organization how to access the web page with the account creation function. In most cases, you can enter www.netLibrary.org and use the Create a Free Account link.
     

  2. Enter your identifying information (user name, password, email address).
     
  3. Select the Submit button.

Logging in

Each time you wish to access a netLibrary eBook from a remote location, you will be prompted to login.

    1. Go to www.netLibrary.com and enter your user name and password in the login box.

    2. Click the red Log in button.

    3. You now have access to all eBooks available in the Public Library System's collection.

Searching for an eBook
Basic Search lets you quickly perform a search by entering terms and selecting a single search field. You may choose to search for your terms in the Keyword, Title, Author, or Full Text fields. Basic Search is prominently featured on the home page and is also available on the right side of every page with the exception of the Advanced Search page.

    1.  Enter search term in the Basic Search field

    2.  Select Keyword, Title, Author or Full Text

    3.  Click Search

Advanced Search lets you construct more complicated searches using multiple fields and Boolean operators.

    1.  Click on the Advanced Search tab located in the top navigation.

    2.  Use to the drop down menu to select search parameter (Title, Author, Full Text, Subject, ISBN).

    3.  Enter search term or multiple search terms using Boolean operators.

    4.  Click Search

Tip:  You can refine search results by using optional limiters such as publication year, publisher or language, and specify sort order by newest first, oldest first, top matches, title, or author.

Viewing an eBook
You may view any eBook in your library’s collection without logging in as long as the eBook is not checked out by another user. While you are actively using it, no other user will have access to it. If 15 minutes elapse without active use, the eBook is “put back on the shelf” and another user will have access.

    1. Search for an eBook.

    2. Select the "View this eBook" link.

    3. The eBook is displayed.

Tip: To return to search results, revise search, or return to the homepage, you can use the My Shortcuts links in the upper left corner of your browser. 

Adding Notes to a Page within an eBook
Once you have logged into netLibrary and opened an eBook, you can annotate any page of the eBook and save your notes for future reference.

    1. Select the specific page you wish to annotate.

    2. Click on the "Note" button located at the top of the page.

    3. Enter a term in the "Name" field that will provide descriptive context for your note.

    4. Add text to the "Note" field. You will be limited to a total of 500 characters.

    5. Click on the "Add Note".

Tip: You can access notes you have created using the Notes tab available within an eBook, or from the "My List and Notes" links on the netLibrary home page.

Finding Help
Detailed information on using netLibrary is available by clicking on the Help tab in the top navigation bar.  Context sensitive help is also available by clicking on the tips links located on each page and in the netLibrary online reader.  For additional assistance, contact your librarian or the netLibrary administrator in your organization.