FAQ - About e-books

Q. How do I know if I have to request a loan to the e-book I want to read?
A. The library provides access to a large number of e-books from a variety of suppliers through the library catalogue. You may need to request a loan for the e-book you wish to read depending on which supplier the title comes from. When you click on the 'External link' from the library catalogue, enter your campus ID and password if prompted, if you notice the e-book is supplied by EBL (shown in the top left-hand corner of the screen) you may have to request a loan for this title.

Q. Why can I only view the e-book for 5 minutes?
A. If you are only allowed to read an e-book for 5 minutes you will need to request a loan for this title if you want to read it for longer. The 5 minutes browsing period is for you to 'look before you try' and as the library is only charged for loans that are approved beyond the 5 minute period, it ensures the library is only paying for e-books that readers know they want to read.

Q. If I have requested an e-book, how long do I have access to it for?
A. If you have an ebook loan approved from EBL your loan will last for 7 days.

Q. Can I request the same e-book title more than once?
A. You can request the same e-book twice. If you need to request the title for a third time please explain why you need further access to it in the 'Comments' box on the request form. This will be forwarded onto your Liaison Librarian for consideration. This is because the library is charged every time an e-book loan is approved.

Q. How long will I have to wait for a reply to my e-book request?
A. We will normally reply to your e-book requests within 24hrs. If you have to wait slightly longer than this it may be because your loan is expensive or you are requesting the same title for a third time. In these instances the request will be referred to your Liaison Librarian for consideration.

Q. How many e-book loans can I request at one time?
A. For titles you have requested you are limited to 2 concurrent EBL e-book loans. Please submit further requests after your loans have expired.

Q. I am shown the cost of the loan for the e-book. Will I be charged?
A. No, the library will automatically be charged for any e-book loans you have approved.

Q. How do I know if my loan has been approved?
A. You will be informed by email if your loan has been approved or rejected. Emails for approved loans include a URL link direct to the e-book you requested. If your loan request has been rejected your email will explain the reason why.

Q. When does the 7 day loan period start?
A. You will receive an email informing you your loan request has been approved. If you click on the link in the email your 7 day loan period starts when you view the e-book for longer than 5 minutes, print, copy or download the text subsequent to the loan being approved. Next time you access the same e-book your remaining reading time will be shown on the title screen, and within the 'Details' tab in the online reader.

Q. Can I download the e-books?
A. You can download some of our e-book titles however you don't need to download the titles to read them. Instructions for downloading e-book content varies depending on the supplier. Downloading from Netlibrary requires you to use Adobe Digital Editions (ADE). If you download a title using ADE your access to this title will still end when your loan period expires. You can not download EBL e-books, but you can read these titles online using any computer or mobile device with internet access.

Q. Can I print and/or copy from the EBL e-books?
A. Yes, the EBL e-books allow cut and paste capability for up to 5% of any title, per user and printing up to 20% per title, per user.

Q. I am having problems accessing certain e-Books within the collection.
A. You may experience problems accessing e-Books within the Taylor & Francis collection. This is caused by an incompatibility between the DX reader software required to access this particular collection, and software that blocks pop-up windows within your internet browser (e.g. Google toolbar and Internet Explorer options in certain versions of Windows XP).
To remedy this situation you must do the following:
  • Internet Explorer
    • From the Internet Explorer menu select Tools > Pop-up Blocker > Pop-up Blocker Settings...
    • Add the following to your list of 'Allowed sites':
      *.etailer.dpsl.net
      80.75.76.44
    • Click close
  • Google toolbar
    • Click the 'Options' button within your Google toolbar
    • Uncheck the 'Pop-up Blocker' option in the Accessories section
    • Click 'OK'
  • If you are using other software that blocks pop-up windows within your browser it is recommended that consult the manufacturers instructions to disable the software when using the Taylor & Francis collection.
Q. The e-book is being read by someone else - why can't I read it too?
A. Some publishers, such as, NetLibrary only allow one user to look at the e-book at a time, others, such as Taylor and Francis may also limit use to a small number of users (in this case 5) at any one time. You will be able to access the item when the other user(s) have logged out.

Q: Can NHS members use the e-books?
A: Unfortunately, due to publishers' licensing restrictions, NHS users are unable to access the e-book collections

Q: My ebook PDF is opening one page at a time?
A: If your e-book PDF is opening one page at a time you may need to change your setting in Adobe. Please try the following:
In Adobe Reader choose:
Edit
>Preferences
>Internet
Ensure 'Display PDF in browser' is enabled

Q. If my question is not answered here who do I contact?
A. Email: elibrary@newcastle.ac.uk (emails will be answered between 9am and 5pm, Monday - Friday.)