As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance access to online resources, we are in the process of implementing OpenAthens. While "UNISA" may currently appear as an option under the "Login through your organization" section on certain platforms, please be aware that OpenAthens has not yet been fully activated for UNISA.
In the meantime, we request that you continue accessing resources via the official Unisa website to ensure seamless access. Logging in directly through OpenAthens will result in an unsuccessful login.
For any inquiries or assistance, please send an e-mail to lib-help@unisa.ac.za
We appreciate your patience and will notify you once the implementation is complete.”
If you repeatedly have problems accessing an eBook, please contact your Personal Librarian, or, send an email to: lib-help@unisa.ac.za
Understanding eBook licenses can help you to get the most out of eBooks. Where possible, the library purchases the most flexible user licenses available. eBook licenses are set by the publishers and cannot be changed by the library.
Types of licenses:
eBooks with limited user licenses have restrictions on how many users can access them at one time.
eBooks with unlimited user licenses can be accessed by an unlimited number of users at the same time. There may still be restrictions on how much of the book's content can be downloaded and/or printed.
Note: eBooks are protected by copyright law in the same way as printed publications. As a guide, SA copyright law allows you to print/copy no more than one chapter, or 10% of a work, whichever is greater.
Digital Rights Management
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is copyright protection for an electronic product that limits the length of the loan of the downloaded e-book, and the amount of copying and printing. You will usually be told what the limits are when you try to print or copy from e-books that are DRM-protected. eBooks that are provided via their own publisher's platform are generally DRM-free, as the publisher owns the rights to the content. DRM-free eBooks have no limitations on downloading, printing, or saving their content.
Downloading
Some eBooks can be downloaded, and others cannot be downloaded depending on the publisher’s digital rights.
Downloaded books can be read offline for a certain time. It is like checking out a printed book from the library. Once the downloaded eBook reaches its expiry date, it will automatically be returned to the library.
eBooks come in many formats. These are some of the most popular formats:
Note: You must first create a free, personal EBSCOhost account (My EBSCOhost) and be signed in to download, copy, or print. You may also use your Google account to sign in.
Some e-book platforms have in-built accessibility options. They may allow you to change the text size, background, and font colour for example, or may otherwise be adapted for use with screen reading or read-aloud software. These can benefit all staff or students regardless of whether you have a visual impairment or any special accessibility requirements