BOULDER, COLO. – June 17, 2001 - netLibrary, the leading provider of eBooks and Internet-based content/collection management services, today announced that it will begin licensing a new specification for library automation systems vendors that will allow them to provide direct links from their online public access catalogs (OPACs) to the preview and checkout functions for netLibrary eBooks. A direct link to the ‘My eBooks’ bookshelf where library patrons access previously checked out eBooks, will also be available with this new specification. OPAC systems currently facilitate searching for eBooks via MARC records. With implementation of netLibrary’s URL API Specification, netLibrary eBooks will be accessed more easily via direct links from the OPAC. netLibrary is the first eBook provider to develop and offer tools for advanced integration between OPACs and eBooks. netLibrary's URL API Specification will be available for implementation by all library automation systems vendors. “netLibrary continues to develop solutions that provide better service to our library customers and their patrons,” said Rob Kaufman, Chief Executive Officer and President of netLibrary. “Licensing the URL API Specification to library automation systems vendors will make netLibrary eBook integration more accessible to vendors who want to improve the user experience by making it even easier to access netLibrary eBooks.” eBooks are full-text electronic versions of published books that library patrons can search, borrow, read, and return via the Internet. With netLibrary eBooks, users can access library resources anywhere, anytime, and perform full-text searches across hundreds of books or within a specific book to speed research and reference projects. These books can be viewed online from a library, office, home, or remote location using an Internet browser, or can be downloaded to a laptop. Added benefits include an embedded dictionary in each book with accompanying visuals and verbal pronunciation, as well as hyperlinks from both the table of contents and index. eBooks are available for varying checkout periods and are automatically checked back into the library collection when the checkout period expires.