How many people can access an AU Library held eBook at one time?
Answer
User Limits
In all ebook collections, different ebooks have different permissions for the number of patrons that can access them. These permissions are set by the publisher, not by the library.
The various general permissions follow, and are indicated in the record for each ebook:
Unlimited user: An unlimited number of people can read or download the ebook at one time.
3-User: Up to three people can read or download the eBook at a time.
Tip: Instead of checking the entire ebook out, print or download a chapter at a time.
1-User: Only one person can read the eBook at a time. Downloading of 1-User titles is not allowed.
When an ebook is being read online, it is "checked out" for a period of time that typically expires after 30-60 minutes of inactivity.
DRM or Digital Rights Management
Some ebooks from EBSCO and ProQuest have Digital Rights Management or DRM, a technology used to limit the amount of content that can be printed, copied, and saved. These limitations vary by publisher and title.