NetLibrary tips

Use these tips to maximize your library's NetLibrary usage:

• Load records
• Promote titles
• Link deep
• Improve access
• Watch your usage grow

Load records

Load MARC records into your local catalog. When you load the MARC records for your NetLibrary eContent into your local catalog, users will be able to find your library's eContent when they search your catalog. Libraries that load their MARC records find their eContent usage statistics increase dramatically. Without the records loaded, users tend to have difficulty finding your NetLibrary titles.

Tip. Once you have NetLibrary eContent, you will receive an e-mail that lets you know your MARC record file is available. It will provide instructions for cataloging staff to obtain your records from OCLC Product Services. There is no charge for MARC records that accompany NetLibrary eContent.

For a complete file of your NetLibrary MARC records, contact us at support@oclc.org.

Download the instructional PDF for more information.

Sample MARC records. In order to download sample MARC records:

1. Right click the download link below and select "Save Target As" (IE and Netscape) or "Save Link As" (Firefox)
2. Select the location to save the file.
3. Optional - Rename file. Your local system may have specific requirements for file names. If so, type the name of the file using your local system's file naming conventions in the file name box. For example, change the file name to: "Audiobooks_Sample_MARC_Records.dat" or "Audiobooks_Sample_MARC_Records.mrc"

Download file containing five sample MARC records.

Promote titles

Promote availability of your collection. Make sure your users know eBooks and eAudiobooks are available from your library. Take advantage of free marketing materials to help promote your collection. You can order marketing kits, customize ads and posters, get great ideas and even download Web banners, for free. Download marketing kit materials now to get started.

Tips.

• Include the NetLibrary logo on your library's Web site or catalog.
• Provide many points of access to NetLibrary—include a link to www.netlibrary.org on your electronic resources page.
• Customize NetLibrary posters to refer to your library.

Link deep

Create deep links for one-click content retrieval. Many users now make the Web their first stop for research. Make sure your eContent can be found by creating deep links in WorldCat. Deep links take users directly from search engine results (from Google, Yahoo! Search, etc.) to the item records in your library's catalog in one click. Without deep links, users will be directed to your library's catalog "front door" where they will need to conduct their search again.

Tip. To enable deep linking, your library will need access to the WorldCat database on the FirstSearch reference service and have your holdings set in WorldCat. Once OCLC has set your holdings, simply enter your library's information (e.g., library's catalog URL, ISBN and ISSN structure) into the FirstSearch Administrative Module.

In addition, you can also link your NetLibrary content to relevant results in FirstSearch. Turn on NetLibrary-FirstSearch linking in the FirstSearch Administrative Module, select Outbound Linking and enter your FirstSearch Library ID.

For more information on FirstSearch linking, see How it works: NetLibrary-FirstSearch linking.

Improve access: Set up remote options for home and hotspot usage

Provide access to eContent anywhere, anytime. Once users are authenticated, they can search for and view eBooks and listen to previews of their favorite eAudiobooks from anywhere.

NetLibrary has been designed to work with a variety of authentication options for access from both inside and outside your library. These options include Ezproxy Single Sign-on, IP authentication, proxy servers and Secure Referring URL. Your library probably already uses one or more of these options.

Another way users can gain remote access is by creating a personal NetLibrary account from any computer authenticated to your library. When used with one of the options above, a library can allow a user to set up an account remotely from any location.

Learn more about NetLibrary accounts and when you need one. Users are sometimes uncertain when accounts are necessary. Note: authentication is required to view this page.

Users do NOT need an account to:

• View or use eBooks or
• Preview eAudiobooks

Users do need an account to:

• Check out eBooks
• Download eAudiobooks
• Personalize their environment

With an account, users can create booklists, make notes for their eBooks and set account preferences such as search defaults and language interface. Users do not need accounts if the library uses the NetLibrary Authentication Server.

Tip. Account creation is easy—just click the "Create a Free Account" link in the upper right-hand corner at www.netlibrary.org or go directly to: www.netlibrary.org/CreateAccount.aspx

Watch your usage grow

See your stats grow and plan ahead with the Library Resource Center. Once you increase usage, you can determine:

• How often certain titles are used
• If usage/user accounts increased after a promotional program
• Titles to which your users do not have access

The Library Resource Center provides rich statistical data on the usage of your eContent collections. Many libraries use the Library Resource Center (LRC) to create reports that identify usage patterns, assess users' needs and identify areas for future collection development.

Tip. To get started, have your library's NetLibrary administrator log in to the LRC. Select a report and specify the time period and collection in which you are interested. With this data, you can use TitleSelect, a tool that enables you to create title lists for future purchases. Contact OCLC Support if you need assistance in generating reports.

For more information about the Library Resource Center, see How it works: Library Resource Center.