SVC Redwings: Library Services: Reference

What are Ebooks?

An Ebook, or Etext, is an electronic version of a printed book. There are numerous free Ebook/Etext sites available on the web, as well as subscription services, such as NetLibrary.

What is NetLibrary?

NetLibrary is a subscription Econtent service providing electronic versions of print books or journals that are enhanced with features such as table of contents links, embedded dictionary, full-text searching, and the ability to bookmark and annotate pages. SVC Libraries' NetLibrary subscription contains over 1200 academic titles that are useful for class research projects. In addition to our set of subscribed titles, NetLibrary also provides access to over 3400 other freely accessible titles, such as those from Project Gutenburg.

How do I create a NetLibrary Account?

Click on the NetLibrary logo on the library home page. If you are off campus, you will be prompted for your SVC ID (SID) number and last name. From within NetLibrary, click on create a free account in the upper right hand corner of the screen and enter the information requested (user name, password, email address). Verify that "Account Affiliation: Skagit Valley College" appears at the bottom of the form, then click on the Create Account button.

If "Account Affiliation: Skagit Valley College" does not appear at the bottom of the form, please contact SVC Library Technical Services for assistance.

How do I access NetLibrary from off campus?

If you are on campus and connected to the SVC Network, all you need to do is click on the NetLibrary logo on the library home page. If you are off campus, you will be prompted for your SVC ID (SID) number and last name.

Can I check out an Ebook?

Our NetLibrary Ebook collection contains both books we have purchased and a public domain collection. Ebooks within the public domain collection can only be viewed. Ebooks that we have purchased can be checked out. You may choose to view any Ebook within our collection without checking it out by clicking on View this Ebook. If you click on Checkout for 24 hours, you will have exclusive access to the Ebook for 24 hours. You must log in to your NetLibrary account to check out an ebook. When your checkout period is up, the Ebook is automatically checked back in and becomes available for someone else to use. If someone else already has a specific Ebook checked out, you may still view the table of contents, and can also choose to be notified by email when the Ebook becomes available.

Do I need any special software to use Ebooks?

NetLibrary and the online reader for full-text content require one of the browsers listed below:

In addition, you may need to add or update the plug-ins listed below to view some full-text content:

Additional information regarding technical requirements may be found at NetLibrary Hardware and Software Tips.

How do I search for Ebooks?

Ebooks may be contained within the results of any search for books, videos, or other library materials in the SVC Libraries. When the result of your search contains an Ebook, an Access this electronic book online link will display in the detailed information for that title. You may search specifically for Ebooks within the results of your search by clicking on the Limit this Search button, then selecting Ebooks from the Material Type list.

You may also browse a complete alphabetical list of Ebooks by entering Ebook as a subject search. Once you have a Netlibrary account, you may also click on the Netlibrary icon to search for NetLibrary ebooks directly.

If you are off campus, you will be prompted for your SVC ID (SID) number and last name.

Download the NetLibrary Quickstart Guide

The NetLibrary Quickstart Guide is available for download in either PDF or Word format.

Firefox 1.x settings

To link directly from an ebook title within SVC Libraries database to the NetLibrary ebook title using the Firefox 1.x browser, you will need to adjust the default cookie settings as follows:

Open Tools / Options / Privacy / Cookies
Click on Exceptions next to Allow sites to set cookies
Enter www.netlibrary.com in Address of web site
Click on Allow

I have more questions...

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 Reference Services or Technical Services.