NetLibrary electronic books
Our NetLibrary eBook collection allows you to read over 15,000 books directly on your computer. These books can be accessed on library computers or from your
home computer using your library card. Certain books can be downloaded directly onto your computer or transfered to your Sony Reader. If you are using computers in the library, no card is required for access.
Accessing NetLibrary from your home computer
If you find a NetLibrary book in the Rochester Public Library’s catalog you will NOT be able to open that book directly by using the red “View book” link from OUTSIDE the library.There are two methods for accessing it outside the library.

Method 1:
Accessing NetLibrary books by creating a NetLibrary account
(Note: you cannot set up a Rochester Public Library NetLibrary account from terminals connected to Mayo Clinic network)
- Click on "Reference & Magazines" tab on any page of the library’s website
- Click on "ALPHABETICAL list of research databases" link
- Scroll down to NetLibrary and click on that link.
- Enter your library card number and your PIN number. You will be on the NetLibrary home page

- In the upper right corner of the NetLibrary home page, click on CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
- Fill out the "Create a Free Account" form and click on the CREATE ACCOUNT button when finished
- Make sure to keep track of your user name and password
Once you have created your NetLibrary account, you can access the library's NetLibrary collection on your home computer by clicking on any red “View book” link on a library catalog search
- When you click on “View book”, you will go to the NetLibrary home page.
- You can then log in with the Netlibrary username and password you created
Once you have set up your NetLibrary account, you may also go directly to www.netlibrary.com and log in with your NetLibrary username and password without using the library’s website.
Method 2:
Accessing NetLibrary books without setting up a NetLibrary account
To use this option you need to log in through the library's NetLibrary link. To do so:
- Click the Reference & Magazines tab (on any page on the library website)
- Click on the ALPHABETICAL list of research databases link
- Scroll down to the NetLibrary link and click it
OR
- Just click HERE
Enter your Rochester Public Library card barcode number and PIN. You will be logged into the NetLibrary site which will allow you to search Rochester Public Library’s entire NetLibrary collection.
You can search for books by Author, Title, Subject, Keyword or Full Text.
Downloading Netlibrary Books to your Home Computer, Nook, Sony Reader or other eReader devices
Some of our Netlibrary books are available to be downloaded to your computer and transfered to your Nook, Sony Reader or other compatible device. To find out more, read these instructions for downloading (requires Adobe Reader).
You can download the program Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) for your home computer here (this will not work on library computers).
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at the Reference desk at 507.328.2309 during open hours.