| eBook Information and Troubleshooting FAQ |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| 1. What are eBooks and downloadable eAudioBooks? |
| eBooks are full-text or electronic versions of published books that library users can search, borrow, read and return via the Internet. Downloadable eAudioBooks are digital versions of fiction and nonfiction that library users can download and listen to on their computer or portable listening device. |
| 2. What are the advantages for libraries to purchase eBooks? |
| Because eBooks are accessible anytime of the day or night from the Internet, people who can’t visit the library during open hours will still be able to gain access to these resources. eBooks can be checked out from the library or from a personal computer via the library’s Web site, 24/7, and they are automatically returned to the library at the end of the checkout period. |
| 3. What eBook collections does Califa offer? |
| Califa offers several options ranging from shared collections developed by participating libraries to discounts on subscription programs. Our current offerings are: |
- NetLibrary General Reference/Business Collection: Shared collection of 5190+ ebook titles from NetLibrary with the emphasis on business and technology titles, but general subject areas are also covered. This collection also includes some titles that are in the public domain e.g., 120 drama titles.
- NetLibrary Legal Collection: An up-to-date collection of Nolo books with a smattering of other consumer legal materials included.
- NetLibrary Recorded Books or Blackstone collections: A subscription service to these eAudioBook collections from Recorded Books and Blackstone features unlimited simultaneous users and automatically added new titles each month.
- ProQuest Safari: Shared collection of technology eBooks - 1900+ titles from O'Reilly, Peachpit Press, Que, Sams, and other top publishers.
- Ebrary Online Collections: Generally geared towards academic information, subjects covered include Business and Economics, Computers and Technology, Humanities, Life & Physical Sciences, Social & Behavioral Sciences , as well as general interest and Spanish collections.
- The Missions of California: A shared eBook collection featuring approximately 25 copies each of the 21 Mission series titles.
|
| 4. How do I get any of these collections for my library? |
| To begin a subscription or to purchase any of these collections, just email califa@califa.org. |
| 5. How do I learn more about these collections? |
We invite all members to attend our quarterly eBook meetings, usually held in San Francisco and Pasadena (a conference call dial-in is also available) where participating members discuss current issues regarding each of the collections. Members who are considering participation in any of our eBook collections (or who just want to keep up to date on the eBook activities) are welcome to attend. Recent meeting minutes can be found at http://www.califa.org/ebook_comm.php.
|
| 6. How does the setup work? |
| Setup varies from product to product. The Missions of California series, for example, is a set of unprotected Adobe files which are accessible from the MARC records that Califa will send you. Other collections require IP or barcode authentication. It’s probably a good idea to discuss the implementation with any technical staff at your library that will be helping you to set up the collections. Califa staff is always available to help answer any questions you may have. If we don’t know, we can put you in touch with the vendor. |
| 7. Does Califa offer eBooks that are available in languages other than English? |
| Spanish, French, or Chinese (traditional or simplified) interfaces are available from within the NetLibrary site.
Califa member libraries have evaluated Chinese eBooks from Apabi. Review the results of our user survey and minutes from the meeting with Apabi at http://www.califa.org/apabi.php.
|
| 8. Are MARC records available? |
| Records are provided for all of the eBook collections. The records may come directly from the vendor or from OCLC. In some cases, member libraries have collaborated to provide records.
|
| 9. How does the library receive new/delete old MARC records? |
| If the records are for a shared collection, Califa staff will send an email notifying members about the arrival of new MARC records. Califa will also instruct libraries that are sharing a collection when to delete old records and replace them with new records. The MARC records that we make available to our members are available from the password-protected area of the Califa Web site.
|
| 10. Does Califa offer eAudioBooks that are downloadable to the iPod? |
| The Califa eBook Committee actively looks at vendor developments and trends and evaluates many products. There are several eAudioBook providers that are working on making content available for downloading to the iPod and Califa is in discussions with these companies.
|
| 11. Can you provide me with any materials to help market our eBooks? |
| NetLibrary provides easy-to-use tools and out-of-the-box ideas for promoting eContent at your library: http://www.oclc.org/us/en/netlibrary/marketingkit/default.htm
|
| 12. What kind of technical support is offered to libraries and their users? |
| Califa staff is always available for initial help, but for technical queries, we may direct you to the particular vendor’s customer service. Each of the vendors has full-time customer service support that can assist you. For more information, please see the Technical Assistance FAQ.
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| eBook Technical FAQ |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| 1. Does NetLibrary offer libraries any customer support? |
NetLibrary offers quite a bit of help from within the user platform. There is also a direct link to a contact form so anyone can send their question to NetLibrary support.
For questions or problems, library staff can contact the OCLC Customer Support Department by:
Sending an online support form, available at: https://www3.oclc.org/app/contac/
Calling 1-800-848-5800 or +1-614-793-8682
Telephone Support Hours (Mon.- Fri., 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., Eastern Time)
Emailing support@oclc.org
|
| 2. A library user is trying access NetLibrary from home, but is getting a message that they need to contact their library. What can I do? |
Make sure that the library user is seeing the affiliated library/NetLibrary welcome screen, e.g.,"Welcome to ______ Library’s eContent Collection." If they are seeing this screen, they should be able to create a free account from home.
If the library user is not seeing this screen, the problem could be anti-virus or firewall software which blocks the library’s authentication. Some of the settings in the firewall the user should check are: Blocking of .exe files (allow .exe files); Java/Javascript (allow); Cookies (clear, set browser to accept cookies); Download accelerators (turn off); and Popups (unengage any popup blockers). The user should clear their cache.
If the user has Norton Internet Security installed and the Privacy Control turned on, their computer may have problems accessing NetLibrary because of a problem with passing referrer information to specific Web pages. They can try the following: Click Configure; Click Advanced; Click Add Site; Type in the URL of the site they are trying to access (www.netlibrary.com), Click Ok. The browser should be restarted to ensure that the changes have taken effect. If the problem persists after making the appropriate changes to their browser, you may suggest that they try a different Web browser to rule out that cause for the problem.
|
| 3. Can you view the NetLibrary eBooks without first creating an account? |
| It is not necessary to create an account to search and view the full-text NetLibrary eBooks as long as the patron "turns" a page every 15 minutes. Most of the full-text eContent is used for reference and research and doesn’t require the user to borrow the material. If the user has an account, they may check out and download titles in the Adobe format for a 7 day checkout period. |
| 4. How does NetLibrary handle holds? |
| All users who request notification for when their title is available are notified at the same time via email. The title will be available on a "first come, first served" basis. The notification system does not reserve the copy of the eBook for customers. |
| 5. A patron got the following message, what does it mean?
"We're sorry, your library's copies of the eContent are currently in use. Either try again later or use one of the options below: View the Table of Contents of this title now. [Or] Request to be notified when this title becomes available."
|
If an eBook is not closed properly, i.e. closing the item rather than closing the browser or clicking the browser back button, there will be a delay for about 15 minutes, making the title inaccessible to all for this amount of time. Please be careful to properly close out of an eBook.
|
