USING THE Metro Net Online Lending Library eBOOK COLLECTION

Patrons have access to several hundred eBooks available through the Metro Net Online Lending Library. These eBooks must be downloaded to a home computer (Windows/Mac) or PDA device (Palm/Pocket PC etc.) and not on library computers. Once downloaded, patrons can view the eBooks offline and do not need Internet access.

The core titles in the Metro Net Online Lending Library are listed in the library's online catalog (catalog.baldwinlib.org). To obtain a list of Metro Net Online Lending Library titles available through Baldwin, perform a keyword search of the library catalog with the word overdrive. Alternatively, patrons can go directly to the Metronet Online Lending Library site at ebooks.metronet.lib.mi.us and perform a search by title, author, keyword, etc. Patrons can also browse by genre, subject, or reader group (e.g. adult, teen, youth).

To obtain a complete list of all eBooks in Baldwin's collection (including eBooks available through netLibrary), do a call number search for the word EBOOK?. A link is available in each bibliographic record that connects you automatically to the eBook web site.

Types of Metro Net Online Lending Library eBooks available through Baldwin are:

52 Pickup by Elmore Leonard
Fly on the Wall by Tony Hillerman
Chopra Center Cookbook by Deepak Chopra
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth by Ric Edelman
How to Start a Business in Michigan by Edward Haman

Patrons may access the eBooks first by establishing an account by selecting their library and entering their card number and last name. This is accessible by clicking on "eBook Account." Patrons also need to have an eBook reader on their computer or PDA for viewing. The latest readers are available for download on the eBook site (Adobe Reader or Mobipocket). If you choose to view an eBook with Adobe Acrobat Reader, it must be version 6.0. The Mobipocket Reader is available for use on Windows computers (desktop/laptop/tablet) as well as SmartPhones and most PDAs (Palm/Pocket PC/etc.)

When a title is found and the patron wishes to download it, it must be placed in an eBook bag first. The patron then continues to browse or proceeds to the check out.

Patrons may check out up to ten books and they are on loan for three weeks. After this period, the titles are checked in automatically. In other words, they are never overdue! If a title is unavailable, a hold may be placed and patrons can receive email notification when the eBook is available for download. When downloaded, the eBooks transfer to a folder in the computer's hard drive called eBooks. This is the location where the eBook can continue to be retrieved for the three week loan period. After this time, the eBook disappears.

If you have any questions about using the eBook collection, contact a librarian at (248) 647-1700, #2.