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How to Use the Library

NEW! Learn how to navigate the Gellert Library's resources

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What's an eBook?

eBooks are digital book-length publications. There are many (many!) different methods and tools for accessing ebooks, and these are usually defined by an ebook's publisher. Some ebooks can be read online, while others must be downloaded (usually as a PDF or EPUB file) and opened using a specific software or app (such as Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Digital Editions). eBooks produced by scholarly publishers are often less expensive than their physical counterparts, and they come with the benefit of being searchable.

Checking out ebooks from NDNU's Gellert Library is a little different from checking out a physical book, and the check-out terms are set by databases and publishers, so they may vary from platform to platform. Some ebooks can be checked out for download in full, while others are restricted by page or chapter limits. Downloaded files may expire after a set amount of days. But the good news is that many ebooks can be read (and searched!) online, making it easy to locate the information in an ebook that you really need for your research.

Using ebooks can be a bit tricky, so don't hesitate to reach out to library@ndnu.edu with any questions. We can help you locate and access the material you're looking for.

Finding eBooks through Databases

When you search with DISCOVERY, any ebooks in the Gellert Library catalog match your search terms will appear in the results list. You can narrow your search of the Gellert Library catalog to just ebooks directly from the results list, or by using Advanced Search.

Additionally, three of the Gellert Library's databases are dedicated just to ebooks:

Off-Campus Access

To access databases and other electronic resources provided by the NDNU Gellert Library while off-campus, you will need to provide authentication by logging in with your NDNU email credentials. When you select a database or an online resource in the catalog, such as an article or ebook, you will be prompted with a login page. Use your NDNU email username (everything before the "@ndnu.edu" or "@student.ndnu.edu") and password.

Quick Fixes

  • Try a different web browser. Occasionally a resource will not work well with, or without, a specific browser or plug-in.
  • If your browser seems to hang or not do anything after you enter your username and password, try clicking on the reload or refresh button in your browser.
  • Try rebooting your computer. It sounds basic, but sometimes this can fix access issues.
  • If you are on campus, try removing the beginning part of the database URL. This may fix access issues caused by the authentication system. The portion of the URL to remove is: https://webinfo.ndnu.edu/login?url=

NDNU Login Information

  • A problem with your NDNU email login information or with the campus network will block your access to Library databases and other electronic resources. If you are unable to login to your NDNU email, contact OIT Help Desk at helpdesk@ndnu.edu

Popups, Cookies, & Javascript 

"File missing: docs\suspend.htm" Error Message

  • You have exceeded the amount of data you can download in an hour, 250MB. Wait 60 minutes and try again. The temporary suspension will expire on its own. If you have questions, email library@ndnu.edu.

Using Campus VPN

  • For faculty and staff using the NDNU Campus VPN, use of the VPN can cause authentication issues. If the login page does not appear, turn off the VPN, refresh or restart your browser, and try again to access the resource through the library website.