eResources Help

eBooks & eResources FAQs

• How do I access The New York Times Online?

  The San Jose Public Library provides free online access to the New York Times on Internet computers and library wi-fi at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and at all Branch libraries during our normal operating hours. We also offer 72-hour offsite access through our website.

  Offsite "home" access:

  1. Click on this link to get your New York Times access code.This code will be usable by you for 72 hours.
  2. Click on "Redeem".
     After the first 72 hours have passed, you will need to redeem another code for another 72 hours of remote access (i.e. Repeat Steps 1&2).  
  3. Create an account with the New York Times or sign in with an existing New York Times account.Please be advised that registering an email address with New York Times will opt you into receiving email marketing communications from the New York Times. To opt out of receiving mailings, be sure to click on the check box during your initial sign up.
  4. You will see a page that looks like this*:

  

  Click on "Go to NYTimes.com". Please note the date when your access ends.

  5. Enjoy the New York Times for 72 hours!

  Reading on The New York Times app

  The New York Times Digital app is free and available for the following operating systems:

  • Android
  • iOS
  • Kindle Fire

  Please visit your device's app store to get the app. You will need to follow the "Offsite 'home' access" instructions above in a browser before you log in to the The New York Times app:

  1. Follow steps 1 and 2 above to get your 72 hour access.
  2. Open the NYTimes app
  3. Log in with the email you used to register -- the access code will have already been applied.

  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

  To access The New York Times Online on library internet computers and over branch wifi:

  Go to your favorite browser and type in www.nytimes.com. You can also find it by going to the San Jose Public Library website.

  1. Click on Find in the menu at the top of the page.
  2. Choose "eMagazines & eNews" from the "Online Resources" category.
  3. Find  "New York TImes Online" in the alphabetical list and click on the link.

  * The text in the image reads:

  Welcome to The New York Times
  Enjoy your 3 days of unlimited access to NYTimes.com, and the NYTimes smartphone and tablet apps.
  An email confirmation has been sent to [your email]. Your digital access begins immediately and runs through [date]. Go to NYTimes.com [link].

  Related Page: Online Resources Help

• Why can't I download my Axis 360 eBook?

  There are a few different choices you have to make about Axis 360 eBooks depending on how you checked them out.  

  • Via Library Catalog: If you checked out through the library catalog:
    • When you check out through the library catalog, you are given a choice of two different formats to download. You should consider a couple of things before you choose. Are you going to be reading on a mobile device, or on a computer? Below we have broken down the choices:  
      • EPUB - can ONLY be read using an eReader like Adobe Digital Editions or the Bluefire reader. This is how you would read if you are planning to open the book on a laptop or desktop computer.
      • Axis 360- can ONLY be read using the Axis 360 app on a mobile device.
  • Via Axis 360 Website: If you checked out through the Axis 360 website in a browser:
    • You will have a chance to download the eBook when you check it out, but you should, again, consider where you are going to read.  If you plan to read on the computer on which you checked out the book, go ahead and download at the time of check out.  If you plan to read using the Axis 360 app, wait to download until you have the app open, and download from there.
  • Via Axis 360 App: If you checked out through the Axis 360 app on a mobile device:
    • If you plan to read in the app, go ahead and download at the time of check out.  If you plan to read on a different device or on a computer, wait to download until you get to that computer or device. 

  For questions or additional help, please feel free to contact us through our email form or call 408-808-2104 if you need help or have questions.

  Related Page: Online Resources Help

• I got a new Kindle, but Amazon keeps sending my OverDrive books to my old one.

  There are a few things you can do to fix this problem.

  1. Change your default Kindle to your new device.
     • Go to www.amazon.com and sign into your account.
     • Mouse over the "Accounts & Lists" menu and choose "Content & Devices.
     • Once you're in "Content & Devices", you'll see four tabs across the top of the screen: "Content", "Devices", "Settings", and "Privacy Settings. Select "Devices."
     • You will see a section for your "Amazon devices" and another for "Amazon apps installed on devices". Select the image for "Amazon devices."
     • It will give you images of all devices you have connected.
     • Under one of them, with blue lettering will be the words "Default device". If you want to make the new Kindle the default device, select the image of that new Kindle.
     • It will open a page with three grey text boxes on the right side. Select "Set as default device."
     • When the confirmation window pops up, select "Save".
     • Now, when you send items to your Kindle from OverDrive, they will automatically go to your new device.
  2. Choose a different Kindle when you check out your book.
     • If you don't want to change your default device, you can just choose a different device when you collect your OverDrive book.
     • After you have checked the book out and have been redirected to Amazon to "Get Library Book", look under the yellow button and choose a different device.
     • Select "Deliver" when you've made the selection.
  3. Download book from your Kindle Library.
     • If you have sent your Kindle book to the wrong device, you can still read it by going to your Kindle Library on the Kindle you prefer and tapping on the cover.
     • The book should download to your device.
     • If you don't see it in your library, select the "Sync" button to force your Kindle to check for library updates.
     • Make sure that you are connected to Wi-Fi.

  Related Page: Online Resources Help

• How do I check out an eBook?

  San José Public Library eBooks can be checked out with a valid SJPL library card. Depending on the eBook format, you may need to download additional software. Visit the eBook Help pages for device-specific instructions.

  SJPL customers may obtain a OneSearch account to access San Jose State University materials. SJPL customers may access the University Library electronic resources only while in the King library on either personal computers or wireless devices.

  Related Page: Online Resources Help

• How do I return my eBooks?

  One of the benefits of using eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital media from the San José Public Library is that they do not need to be returned like physical items do. They will automatically check themselves back in at the end of the loan period with no action needed on your part.

  If you are interested in returning your eBook or other digital media item so that other borrowers may use it, first identify which platform you checked your item out from (Overdrive, Axis 360, hoopla, etc.). Next, follow the corresponding link below to read the most up-to-date instructions from the platform's help files.

  For links labeled as FAQs, please scroll to the given question for the latest return instructions. Hoopla will have a special section at the end of the links.

  Quick Links to Return Instructions by Platform

  • Axis 360: Mobile App Instructions | Website Instructions
  • cloudLibrary: FAQs: "Can I return an eBook early?"
  • Overdrive/Libby: Overdrive App & Software Instructions | Libby App Instructions
  • SimplyE: FAQs: "How to return e-books"
  • hoopla: Even though there are no holds for hoopla items, you can still return the item early if you choose. Unfortunately, this will not provide you with additional hoopla check outs each month. In the hoopla app, tap on My hoopla at the bottom of the touchscreen, then tap on the item you wish to return, scroll to the bottom and select "Return Now."In a web browser, log into your Hoopla account and click on My hoopla at the top of the screen, click on Currently Borrowed from the drop down menu, click on the item you want to return and then in the pop-up window that appears, select "Return Now."

  Related Page: eBooks/eMedia: Stream & Download

• How do I access the San José Mercury News from home/offsite?

  The San José Public Library provides free online access to the San José Mercury News on internet computers and library wi-fi at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and at all branch libraries during our normal operating hours.

  We also offer either 24-hour or 72-hour offsite access through our website.

  Offsite "home" access:

  1. Click on this link to log in and then enter your library card number and PIN.
  2. You will be taken to a landing page that will offer two options for access:​

  • ​Anonymous Access: Works for 24 hours. After that time, you will need to use SJPL's subscription link again for another 24 hours of access.
  • Authenticated Access: Works for 72 hours. For this option, you would log in using Google, Apple, Facebook or e-mail to gain 72-hour access. At the end of 72 hours, you would use SJPL's subscription link, again, to start a new access period. You should be aware of the MediaNews Group Privacy Policy if you choose to share your e-mail or other information for 72-hour access.

  Please note the date when your access ends and enjoy the San José Mercury News for 24 or 72 hours!

  Related Page: Online Resources Help