Using netLibrary
netLibrary is a collection of recently published academic-oriented books plus publicly accessible eBooks —classic works of literature, which are no longer copyrighted. If you wish to only search and browse eBooks, you will not need to set up an account. However, if you wish to check out an eBook so you can use it more fully to book mark pages, take notes on what you have read, and use eBooks’ other features you must first create an account. With an account you can access and use eBooks from any computer connected to the internet.
Creating an Account
An account may be created from any computer on the OCTC Campus. If you are an off-campus user and cannot come to campus, simply call our toll free number (1-877-734-0694) and ask for the Library. We will set up an account for you so you can access the books from home. From campus computers you can simply enter www.netlibrary.com and use the create an account link. Enter your information and submit. Now you are ready to use the electronic library.
Logging In
Go to www.netLibrary.com and click on Log In at the top right corner of the screen. Enter your user name and password.
Select the red Log in button.
You now may check out for 4 hours all eBooks available in your library’s collection.
Searching for an e-Book
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. It is prominently featured on the home page and is also available on the right side of every non-search page.
Advanced Search lets you construct more complicated searches using multiple fields (Title, Author, Full Text, Subject, ISBN), Boolean operators (and, or, not), and limits (year, publisher, language, format).
Search Fields and Limits
The Keyword field searches for your terms in the title, author, and subject heading fields. You may enter single terms (example: programming) or multiple terms that may be found in the same or different field (example: pride prejudice or midsummer Shakespeare).
The Title field searches all titles for the terms you entered. You may enter the exact title (example: A Tale of Two Cities) or any portion of the title in any order (example: Huckleberry adventures). It is not necessary to enter beginning articles in the title (the, a, an, etc.)
The Author field searches all authors for the name(s) you entered. You may enter the name in any order, with or without punctuation, and capitalization is not necessary (example: Twain, Mark or mark twain or Twain Mark).
The Full Text field searches for your terms in every word of every eBook. Use this field to search for words that may appear in the text of an eBook but not in the title or other fields or to search for text you remember from an ebook. When using this search field, be as specific as possible. You may also use quotation marks to search for full text phrases. For example, you may perform a full text search for "remote authentication" to retrieve all eBooks that contain that exact phrase.Using Boolean Operators in Your Search
You may use the Boolean operators below to create a more detailed search. If you do not specify a Boolean operator in your search, multiple terms entered will be searched with an implied "and" operator between each term.
• AND returns results that include both terms (example: history AND European).
• OR returns results that include either term (example: heart OR cardiac).
• NOT returns results that include the first term and not the second term (example: nursing NOT home).
• Double quotes " " may be used to indicate phrases (example: "civil rights")
• Single Asterick * may be used for wild-carding (example: cook* searches for cook, cooks, cooking, cookery, cookbook, etc.
• Double Asterick ** may be used to search for all forms of the word (example: drive** searches for drive, drove, driving, driven, etc.
Search Results
Results show the number of results returned for the search and gives you the option to revise your search or conduct a new search.
View this eBook takes you directly to the online reader to view the full text of an eBook without logging in or creating an account. You may view the eBook for only a short period of time (approximately 15 minutes) and after a period of inactivity the eBook may be made available to someone else to view.
Show Details takes you to the Details page where you can check out the book or add it to your list for use later. To choose one of these options you must have an account. Checking out an eBook gives you exclusive use of the eBook for the checkout period of 4 hours. The eBook is automatically returned when the checkout period expires.
Notes
After checking out an eBook you may also add notes as you read pages you want to save to return to later. To add notes, click on the add note button, give your note a title you will remember, type your note, and click ADD NOTE button. To view notes, click on List and Notes at the top left of the screen.
Dictionary
If you run across a word you do not know, highlight the word, right click, and select "Look up… in the Dictionary. The dictionary will give you the correct pronunciation and the meaning of the word.