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Getting Started with E-books

This guide provides an introduction to the different ebook collections available to LSC-University Park users, including how to find, access, and download books.

About Safari

Safari is the premier electronic reference library for full-text books on computer software/hardware, business, self-help, web design, graphic design, photography, marketing, and related subjects.

Quick Facts
Coverage: Last two years only. Very current content.
Users: Limited to 5 simultaneous users.
Contains: Tech books on programming languages, applications, systems, networking, web design and development, and more. Over 33,000 titles; very current.
Best for: Computer science, web development, applications
Printing: Limited to one sub-chapter at a time.
Download: No download available, but you can send an email that includes a link to the sub-chapter.

What You Need

In order to access Safari Tech Books Online, you will need a web browser (such as Chrome or Firefox) and a document reader (such as Adobe Reader). Most devices will have an application for both of these functions already installed.

If you are not using a campus computer, you will need to log in with your Lone Star College library barcode to access the database. This barcode may be found on the back of your Lone Star College ID card.

Picture of LSC ID, Chrome logo, Firefox logo, and Safari Browser logo

From the Lone Star College Libraries website, choose Research Databases and then Books & Reading. Scroll down and click on the Safari Tech Books link to enter the database. Conduct your search in the dialog box at the top of the screen, select a title, and start reading!
 


You may be prompted to enter your student ID and password, which is located on the back of your student ID, if you are attempting to access the Safari Tech Books Online database from an off-campus location. To get started, you may enter your search term or terms in the dialog box located in the upper right-hand corner of the welcome screen. You may also choose to browse the collection of thousands of eBooks included in Lone Star College's custom library.


You can further limit your search results by subject category, publication year, author, publisher, or language. You can also sort your results by relevancy, popularity, or date. Click on the book title to view the entire table of contents of the book or view the chapter most relevant to your search term(s). 


Safari Tech Books Online breaks the eBook down into subchapters. You can view, print, or email a link to each subchapter at a time. Your search terms are highlighted throughout the text. To turn off this feature, deselect "Show Search Terms". Click on "Full Screen" if you don't wish to see the book chapters listed on the left scroll bar. If you want to save a subchapter for later viewing, you may email a link to the page or print the pages that appear on your screen. Print in PDF format and use Send to Kindle to view the pages on your eReader. 

 

Using the browser software on your mobile device, you may browse and search eBooks in Safari Tech Books Online by navigating to the Books & Reading section of the Lone Star College - University Park Library website. Select "Safari Tech Books" from the list. If you are attempting to access the database from an off-campus location, you will need to sign in using your student ID and password. 




If your eReader includes a browser, you may browse and search eBooks in Safari Tech Books Online by navigating to the Books & Reading section of the Lone Star College - University Park Library website. Select "Safari Tech Books" from the list. If you are attempting to access the database from an off-campus location, you will need to sign in using your student ID and password. 

If you wish to send a sub-chapter to your Kindle from your PC or mobile device, you may save the pages as a PDF document then use Send to Kindle to send the selected pages to your Kindle. You can use any eReader device that is capable of reading PDF documents to view your selected pages.