Finding eBooks
You can find eBooks by searching findit@flinders.
- Type in what you want to find - either the title of a book, or keywords that describe your topic or research question.
- On the results page, you will see options to 'Refine your results'. Tick the boxes next to the following:
- Availability: Available online
- Resource Type: Books
- Resource Type: Book Chapters
- Click on 'Apply filters'.
Using eBooks
eBooks are available on a wide variety of platforms. While these platforms all look different, they generally have similar features and functionality.
Common features and functionality include:
| Basic details | Title, author, edition. |
| Full publication details | Date, publisher. |
| Read online | This usually has unlimited access, with no special software required. |
| Download book | Some platforms may require special software to be installed. |
| Print or download | Some platforms will have limits for the number of pages you can print or download. This is usually clearly indicated. |
| Table of contents | Can click to view or download individual chapters. |
| Search | Search within the book for a word or phrase. |
| Cite | Copy and paste a citation for the book, using a selected referencing style. |
Restrictions to watch for
Publishers might apply restrictions on access to and use of their eBooks.
Below are some common restrictions to watch for and what you can do.
| Restriction | What it means | What you can do |
| Number of simultaneous users | This limits the number of people who can use the book at the same time. | Try accessing the book at a later time. |
| Download or print | This limits the number of pages you can download or print. | This limit usually resets every 24 hours, depending on the platform. Revisit and download different sections or chapters as needed. |
| Borrowing periods | This limits the amount of time you may have access to a downloaded copy. | Look out for any borrowing restriction, either on the landing page of the eBook or when you download the book. |
Using eBooks during exams
If you need to refer to an eBook during an exam, ensure that you are prepared well ahead of time.
- Make a list of how many chapters or sections of the book you need to use.
- Search findit@flinders for the title and author of the book.
- Make sure there is not a limit on how many people can use the book at the same time.
If there is, download the full book or relevant chapters to your device. - Check if there is a limit to how many pages you can download at a time.
If you need to use more than you can download in one sitting, access the book again on another day to see if the limit has reset and you can download more sections.
If you plan on accessing an eBook online during an exam (rather than downloading it), it is recommended that you:
- Ensure your device is fully charged and updated
- Have a back-up plan if your internet connection drops out (e.g. using your smart phone as a wifi hotspot).
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
Ph: 1300 354 633 (Select 3)
Email: library@flinders.edu.au
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