How Does the Online Library Work?

For Everyone:

Chapters in the Online Library may be searched by seminar, by practice area, by author, or by using keywords. Forms may be searched similarly, although not by author. The first three methods employ simple drop-down menus to locate material; the keyword search uses filters akin to those employed in other widely used search engines. We strongly recommend that users exploring the Online Library via the keyword search first click the “search tips” link found next to the keyword entry field, as this provides handy reminders on how to narrow searches and make them more efficient and effective. As long as you have the free Adobe® Reader® (available for download at http://get.adobe.com/reader/), you can conduct searches and view chapter excerpts free of obligation. You will not be able to view content without subscribing to the Online Library or purchasing a chapter or form.

For Subscribers:

After you have subscribed to the Online Library and searched for the chapter you wish to view, you will see basic information (seminar, author, date, and length) followed by two links: “View Chapter” and “View Excerpt.” The excerpt is simply a table of contents or abstract that offers quick insight as to what the chapter contains; clicking on the “View Chapter” link will bring up the material in its entirety. All materials posted to the Online Library are presented in the .pdf file format, which means you’ll need the free Adobe® Reader® (available for download at http://get.adobe.com/reader/) to view them. Once the .pdf window is open, printing chapters is as simple as clicking the printer icon on the top toolbar, or selecting “Print” under the “File” menu. You can also save chapters to your computer by clicking on the floppy disk icon on the top toolbar or clicking “File” and then “Save As…” in the .pdf window. Subscribers have unlimited access to chapters for one full year, after which the Online Library interface will revert to the non-subscriber view, described below.

This information applies to Online Library forms as well, though the interface is slightly different. The title of the form you wish to view will be a hyperlink to its content, and there is no “View Excerpt” option. As an added convenience, you will see a hyperlink to the chapter from which the form is drawn.

For Non-Subscribers:

After you have searched for the chapter you wish to view, you will see basic information (seminar, author, date, and length) followed by two links: “Buy Chapter” and “View Excerpt.” The excerpt is simply a table of contents or abstract that offers quick insight as to what the chapter contains; clicking on the “Buy Chapter” link will initiate a transaction process requiring immediate payment by credit card.

All materials posted to the Online Library are presented in the .pdf file format, which means you’ll need the free Adobe® Reader® (available for download at http://get.adobe.com/reader/) to view them. Once you have purchased a chapter, a link will appear in the “My Purchases” section of our website. After you’ve clicked the link and the .pdf window is open, printing your chapter is as simple as clicking the printer icon on the top toolbar or selecting “Print” under the “File” menu. You can also save chapters to your computer by clicking on the floppy disk icon on the top toolbar or clicking “File” and then “Save As….” Chapters are available for re-download and viewing in the “My Purchases” area for 30 days from the date of purchase. After this date, you must re-purchase the material. To avoid extra charges we strongly recommend you save any purchased chapters to your computer using the process described above.

This information applies to Online Library forms as well, though the interface is slightly different. You will see just one link: “Buy Form(s) and Associated Chapter.” Clicking this link will initiate the transaction process, after which you can view your purchased material as described above.