This guide provides a basic orientation to netLibrary. For further information click on the Help tab in netLibrary or contact the Reference Department on the 2nd Floor of the AUM Library or by phone at (334) 244-3649.

What is netLibrary?

netLibrary is a resource providing access to electronic versions of printed books (eBooks). They have the same information as the print versions and can be viewed online from any computer connected to the Internet. The eBooks in the AUM collection may be accessed through online browsing or electronic checkout. You may find an eBook in the catalog or by going directly to netLibrary by clicking on the netLibrary icon on the Library's homepage. You may browse the eBook without establishing an account, however an account allows you to check out an eBook or access it remotely, but you should first create your account from within the library or a computer on campus.

How do I create an account?

Accounts must be created from a computer on campus. Click on the netLibrary link on the Library’s homepage to access the site. The netLibrary page will note that you are at the Auburn University Montgomery Library eBook Collection. At the top right of the screen you will find a link to "Create a Free Account". Follow the onscreen directions to create a user name and password.

How do I find an eBook?

There are two ways to search for eBooks:

1. Search for eBooks using the AUM Library online catalog. You may do an author, title, subject or keyword search in the catalog. The resulting list may include eBooks. You know you have an eBook if the bibliographic record says “computer file” OR "electronic resource" and the location is "AUM Library - Available through the Internet." The web link says

   Bibliographic record display An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web; click for information.

   Clicking on the link will take you to the book and you may browse it or check it out to read online. You may also add the phrase “electronic books” as a keyword or subject to restrict your search to eBooks only.

2. Search for eBooks directly from the netLibrary site. You may search by title, author, subject, or keyword.

How do I use an eBook?

Once a search has been entered, a list of titles will display. Click on the title you want. You may then browse the title. The text of the book will display on the right side of the screen and a navigation box will display on the left side. The display defaults to contents and you may browse parts of the book using the table of contents, or you may click on the “Search” tab to search within the book for keywords.

How do I check out an eBook?

After clicking on the title of an eBook you will see a list of choices inside a box called “Viewing Choices”. Click on the “checkout for 4 hours” button. If you have not logged in, the system will ask you for your user name and password. Once logged in, you may check the title out to your computer and read it online. The eBook is checked out to you for 4 hours and will automatically check itself back in at the end of that time. If you would like to browse and read the book for up to 15 minutes, click on "View This eBook." You will need Adobe Reader 6.0 installed on your computer to view or to check out an eBook.

May I copy an eBook?

When reading an eBook online you may print or copy one page at a time by using your browser's Print or Copy functions. When printing from the netLibrary Online eBook Reader, highlight the desired text and then use the browser's print feature. This will print all of the text within that frame. To print the entire contents of the page, please check your browser's help section on printing frames.

Although you can print parts of an eBook, printing an entire eBook violates copyright laws.

Guide compiled by: Lucy Farrow, Government Documents Coordinator; This information was in part excerpted from the Help files of netLibrary.

Page address: http://aumnicat.aum.edu/instruction/general/netLibrary.html

Updated: 02/10/2004