Several companies, including SoftBook and NuvoMedia, sell handheld devices that might appeal to users who want to download the latest book by Bill Gates or read Monica's Story on their slim screens. NetLibrary instead caters to academics, professionals, and distance learners, who either want fast access to books or who have no nearby library. Under netLibrary's system, patrons of participating libraries can search for e-books at the netLibrary site. They can check out an electronic book, read it online, or download it to read offline. Early subscribers to the netLibrary service include the Universities of Texas and Phoenix, and the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries.
Patrons can check out the books for up to two weeks at no charge.
But users can ask for an e-mail notice when a requested volume becomes available. To allay publishers' fears of copyright violations, netLibrary's digital books are read using a proprietary software reader, called Knowledge Station, that doesn't let users make copies. The books are encrypted and can also be read online using Knowledge Station software. Knowledge Station lets readers search text and add notes, highlights, and bookmarks. You can also use Knowledge Station to create bibliographies and footnotes for research papers.