Frequently Asked Questions about eBooks

If you want to skip all the introductions and start using the eBook collection, go to NetLIbrary Ebooks. To view a demonstration of netLibrary eBooks, go to the Try It section.

What are eBooks?

What is netLibrary?

Gavilan eBook Collection

Accessing the eBook Collection

Creating an eBook account

Logging In

Searching for an eBook

Browsing an eBook

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

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?
The Gavilan College Library has purchased approximately 2500 electronic books (eBooks) from netLibrary, a company based in Boulder, Colorado. netLibrary offers libraries and organizations around the world collections of electronic books, or eBooks. The Gavilan College Library, in concert with netLibrary, makes it possible for you to access electronic books on the Web.

The Gavilan eBook Collection
The eBooks in this collection were purchased to meet the needs of the Gavilan community. 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 access eBooks from off-campus 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 access eBooks from off-campus, but you should first create the account.

How to create an account:
1. You need to be using a computer on the Gavilan campus when you are creating a netLibrary account or click here to enter your library card number to begin. After you have created an account, you will be able to access the netLibrary collection from anywhere.
2. Go to http://www.netLibrary.com and click on the Create an account link in the upper right corner of the screen.
3. Enter your identifying information (user name, password, email address).
4. Select the Create Account button.

Logging in
Each time you wish to access an eBook from off-campus, you must first log in. (If you are creating a new account, you need to be using a computer on the Gavilan campus.)

How to log in:
1. Go to www.netLibrary.com, click on the Log In link in the upper left corner of the screen and enter your user name and password on the next screen.
2. Select the Log In button.
3. You now have access to all eBooks available in the Gavilan Library's 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.

Browsing an eBook
Looking at an eBook is called "Browsing."  Click on "Browse this eBook online" to begin reading the book.  You may browse an eBook without logging in if you are on campus. 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.

Must I be connected to the Internet to access netLibrary's titles?
Yes. To view and browse your library's eBook collection, you must be online.

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. Be sure that you properly cite your ebook if you use ideas or quotes from it!

Who do I contact if I need more information?
Staff at the Gavilan College Library can help you set up a netLibrary account and answer your questions about using eBooks. Need help over the telephone? Call the Gavilan Library reference desk at (408) 848-4806. Questions can also be submitted by email to reference@gavilan.edu .