netLibrary Hands On

Getting an Account

Patrons must have a User Account to check out books and to access the library collection from outside the library. In order for their account to be linked to the library collection Users MUST create their account at the library. Once their account is created they can then log onto netLibrary from anywhere, anytime, and access the library collection.

Go to netLibrary

Start by going to the netLibrary web page:

http://www.netlibrary.com

Then click on the "create account" link in the right hand boxes.

Fill out the form

Here's screen captures from the "create account" page. The page is divided into three sections. They've been divided up below to point out possible problems and their remedies. When the form is completely filled out, click on the submit button. Please note that the boxes on the form with bold red titles must be filled out. The other sections may be left blank.

User Name & Password

Here a patron chooses the name and password they want to use to log onto netLibrary. The biggest problem users may have with this process is selecting a unique User Name. Encourage patrons to combine parts of their first and last names and add in some numbers to create a unique user name. For example:

john45smith
jones789bob
scotsmary2000queen
aljolson39

No spaces are allowed and it usually works best to avoid non-letter or numeric characters.

If you enter a User Name already in use, you'll get the error message shown here:

The password on the other hand can be anything. They just have to type it in exactly the same way twice. Security folks will suggest you NOT use your own name, the name of children or pets or any other easily guessable word.

Here's a filled out User Name & Password section.

The Security Question

This is the question and answer netLibrary will use if your patron forgets their User Name & Password. At the Log In page there's a "Forget your user name or password" link. If your patron enters their email address and answers the question correctly then netLibrary will email their account information to them. Luckily the patron gets to create the question. Good choices can be:

Pet's name
Birthplace
Favorite car
Favorite food

Keep it simple and stick to one word answers to avoid possible future problems.

Account Information

Here your patron enters the rest of the information about themselves. Please note that only

First Name
Last Name
Country
E-mail

are required. People can fill out or not fill out as they please. Patrons who have problems filling out web forms might appreciate only filling in those fields that must be filled.

Click the submit button when you're done.

Terms of Use Agreement

Your patron is then asked to click on the "accept" button for netLibrary terms of use. They can read the agreement in full if they so choose. They must "accept" to get an account.

Success

Your patron now has an account and is ready to start searching netLibrary.

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