Frequently-Asked Questions about netLibrary and OhioLINK

Revised August, 2002

What is netLibrary?

NetLibrary is a collection of electronic books available over the Internet. The company’s emphasis is on books that are the sorts of titles that libraries traditionally buy from scholarly and university presses.

You can also learn more about netLibrary by visiting their homepage at www.netlibrary.com/.

Why netLibrary? What advantages do e-books offer?

Increasingly, people prefer to use electronic resources. Much valuable information is still contained in books, as opposed to electronic databases and serials, and electronic books are a way to get that information to people in the format they have started to prefer. Some of the advantages of e-books are that users do not have to go to the library to check them out, and that it is much harder to lose or mutilate them.

Electronic books are particularly useful for material that is ephemeral or hard to keep on the shelves (such as computer manuals) or that users tend to consult rather than read cover-to-cover.

How did we decide what books to buy from netLibrary?

Initially, OhioLINK set aside some capital money as seed money for this project, and a task force of OhioLINK’s Cooperative Information and Resource Management Committee (CIRM) purchased about 3,000 books during 2000.

In 2001 we implemented a different buying model, which netLibrary refers to as the “reasonable access” model, or the "patron driven access model" (PDA). In total, we had bought about 12,000 books when we suspended the reasonable access model in October, 2001, due to budget constraints on our part and business problems on netLibrary's part. We have now resumed the PDA, starting with a collection of about 1,900 books. Here you can see our profile with netLibrary for new books added to the PD, and here is a list of books in netLibrary's production pipeline.

How does the reasonable access model work?

Although we define the universe from which users may select, user demand ultimately drives purchases. Users may browse a book two times before it is purchased. If a user checks out a book, even if only for the first time, it is purchased. This happens behind the scenes, so the user is not aware of it. With books new to the PDA, there is a chance to buy a second copy, using the same scenarios again. A third simultaneous use results in a turnaway.

How can I tell what books we own from netLibrary?

You can view the list of netLibrary purchases to date here, and here is a list of books available for purchase as of July, 2002. At any given time some of these books may or may not be purchased.

What are our plans to purchase additional titles from netLibrary?

We currently have about $147,000 to spend with netLibrary. We will add titles to the PDA and pay invoices until this money is spent. We have not yet made a decision about our direction with netLibrary after that.

How can I tell what books are likely to become a part of netLibrary in the future?

This list shows books currently in the production pipeline. Additional lists by subject are available at the netLibrary Resource Center. Click on the link that says "Title Select." Your Resource Center (also known as Extranet) user name and password are needed to access this information. Your lead implementor should have this information; contact Anne Gilliland if he or she does not.

How do I connect to netLibrary?

You can connect directly over the web by going to www.netlibrary.com. NetLibrary is also a menu item on the OhioLINK home page. Go to the “Explore OhioLINK Databases by Type” section, and select under “Full Text Resources.”

In addition, most netLibrary books have records in the OhioLINK central catalog. Do a word search on “netlibrary” to see the records. From the WebPAC, it is possible to click on a URL and connect directly to an individual title.

On the netLibrary site, I'm seeing a prompt to login and put in a password. Do I use my name and number from my Innopac system?

No, at this time there is no tie between netLibrary and any institution’s Innopac. You do not need to log in to browse any e-book on the netLibrary site. If you want to read the book for more than 15 minutes, however, you will need to log in and check out the book. Each user will need to create his or her own login for this.

What about off-campus users? Does netLibrary work with OhioLINK's remote authentication?

At present, netLibrary does not use OhioLINK’s remote authentication; however, once a user has created a login, it will work from any location.

I heard that only one person at a time can check out a book from netLibrary. Is this true?

NetLibrary follows a model of selling “copies” of e-books that work very much like simultaneous uses of an electronic database. For pre-2001 imprints, we often own one copy of the book. With 2001-2002 imprints, we have the capacity to own two copies under the patron-driven access model. The number of copies is only displayed at the point of browsing.

If I check out a book, how long is the loan period?

There is a two-hour loan period for most books. For the past year, most of OhioLINK’s netLibrary books were set to a one-day loan period, but we changed this in August, 2002.

Why such a short loan period?

A short loan period allows us to most closely mimic the simultaneous access we offer for other electronic resources. Since many electronic books are consulted, not read from cover to cover, a short loan period soon leaves the book free for the next user. It is also possible to browse a book without checking it out. The browse period is 15 minutes as a default, but will continue for as long the user is still actively using the book.

Do you have to read netLibrary books online? Do they work with any e-book readers?

You can only read netLibrary books on the web. netLibrary books do not now work with e-book reader devices or with hand-held devices. The company is aware, however, that it will be desirable to move to that delivery method in time.

What happened to the netLibrary E-Book Reader?

The netLibrary E-Book reader was a client that allowed users to download a book, virtually highlight sections, etc. netLibrary has discontinued its use, but they have incorporated some of its features into their online functionality.

What about my privacy if I create an account with netLibrary?

netLibrary's privacy policy is available at http://www.netlibrary.com/help/privacy_statement.asp. netLibrary adheres to the ALA's Code of Ethics.

I want to buy some e-books for my library from netLibrary. If I do, does that mean that people from other OhioLINK schools can read them, too?

Yes, if they’re bought through OhioLINK. You may also open your own netLibrary account and have some books that are only available to your institution’s users only.

How can I put a netLibrary book on reserve?

Right now you cannot in the conventional way. The netLibrary circulation system does not have an interface with your library’s Innopac. If you know that there are netLibrary materials that you would like to have available for reserve or class use, contact Anne Gilliland on the OhioLINK staff to change loan periods.

What if someone needs a netLibrary book for longer than the two-hour loan period?

Contact Anne Gilliland. She can give a specific book a longer loan period.

When I look at a catalog record for a netLibrary book, how can I tell if someone has the book checked out?

Since there is no link between the netLibrary site and libraries’ Innopac systems, you cannot tell if someone has a book checked out until you connect to the netLibrary site.

How do I get catalog records for netLibrary books in my catalog? Also, how do I clean up records for books we didn't buy under the old contract?

Contact Anne Gilliland at OhioLINK. Records are available via FTP for library catalogs. Anne can also help you with information deleting records for netLibrary books that are no longer accessible.

Can OhioLINK assure us of long-term access to netLibrary material? What if we stop doing business with netLibrary, or they go out of business?

We have bought, and continue to buy, perpetual rights to the netLibrary books, and we have backup plans in place in case netLibrary no longer exists some day.

How do I report problems or ask questions about netLibrary?

You can use the usual avenues for problems or queries for OhioLINK services, including our support email, support@ohiolink.edu and the OhioLINK systems helpline (the first option you are given when you call 614.728.3600). You may send an email to support@ohiolink.edu or call the OhioLINK hotline. Anne Gilliland is the person on the OhioLINK staff who handles most issues dealing with functionality with or materials selection for netLibrary. In addition, netLibrary is willing to answer direct questions from OhioLINK members. You can contact netLibrary via the “Contact Us” form on their home page.

Does OhioLINK have a guide for netLibrary, like the guides for reference databases?

No, but netLibrary offers two guides for using their system, the Training Manual and the QuickStart Guide, both in PDF format, at http://www.netlibrary.com/resourcecenter/.

How can I see statistics on my library’s use of netLibrary?

Through the netLibrary extranet at http://www.netlibrary.com/extranet/library/. Your lead implementor has passwords that allow you to look at statistical information. If he or she does not have a password, one of you should contact Anne Gilliland.