NLTN LIbrary User's Guide

• Becoming a library user
• Searching the collection
• Borrowing an item
• Returning an item
• Material types
• Topic categories
• Current hot topics
• Printing Library Search Results
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• Copy or duplicate an item
• Purchase an item
• Suggest a new addition/acquisition
   

User Items may be borrowed from the library free-of-charge once you create an NLTN library user account. However, library privileges may be revoked for:

1. failure to return library items
2. failure to pay for damaged items
3. attempting to create multiple accounts
4. unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials.

While the loan of items in the NLTN library is restricted to U.S. mailing addresses.

Create a User Account
 

You may search the collection by word, phrase or title or select a specific topic or material type from the appropriate drop-down menu. (Drop-down menus can also be used to narrow or refine a search).

For example, to find information about biosafety cabinets, enter bio, biosafety or biosafety cabinet in the 'Search for Complete or Partial Words' field. (The fewer characters entered, the larger the number of potential matches returned). Alternatively, select a specific topic or material type (e.g. safety or videos). 

To restrict searches to a specific time frame, simply complete the 'Distribution Year' field. 

To view additional information about the items returned by your search, select the 'Detail' option for each item of interest. (After you use the 'Detail' option for the first item, use the 'back' button on your Web browser to return to the search results. You can then choose the 'Detail' option for another item.)

Search the NLTN Library Collection
 

 On the 'Check/Out Request' screen, select 'Submit CK Out Request' to submit your request. You will be notified via email that your request has been received.

You may request up to two items at one time. Subsequent requests will not be honored until all outstanding materials have been returned and checked in. Most requests are filled within one week of receipt. If all copies of a requested item are checked out, you will be notified that you are on a waiting list and your selection will be filled as soon as it becomes available. (If an item is needed for a specific date, please submit your request as soon as possible so that we can make every attempt to have the item available when you need it.)

Each item may be checked out for three weeks. However, you may request that an item`s check-out time be extended by sending email to phpdls@cdc.gov

While there is no charge to borrow an item, users are responsible for return postage and for the replacement costs of any lost or damaged items. Please keep the tracking information on items you are returning to facilitate recovery/replacement should they become lost in transit 
 

Returning an Item

Library items will arrive accompanied by the due date, a return label, and an evaluation form.

All items must be returned by the due date using an insured carrier (UPS, Fed-Ex, Airborne Express, etc.). Users must pay return postage. If items are lost in transit, the user is responsible for recovering the item from the chosen carrier or, if recovery fails, paying the replacement cost. Many of the items in the collection are one-of-a-kind. Please pack items carefully for the return. Replace any rubber bands on notebooks so that they do not become damaged in shipment.

Please complete the evaluation form and return it to the NLTN along with borrowed items to help us in our quest to meet your needs.
 

Review Material Types

The collection contains a number of material types, including:
 

Review Topic Categories

Items in the collection are organized by topic to make searches easy. Some items may be listed in multiple topics/categories. Topics include:

• Bacteriology
• Chemistry
• Cytology/Histology
• Environmental
• General/Other
• Hematology
• Immunology/Serology
• Instrumentation/Technologies
• Management/Education
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology/Genetics
• Mycobacteriology
• Mycology
• Parasitology
• Phlebotomy
• Public Health
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control/CLIA
• Safety/Infection Control
• Urinalysis/Body Fluids
• Virology
   

Hot Topics

Enter any of these topics in the 'search for' field to find items of current interest.

• Antimicrobial resistance
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• Bioterrorism
• Bioterrorism preparedness
• Food safety
• Food microbiology
   

Printing Library Search Results  

The results from a search and/or the library item detail page can be printed. To print Library search results, you can: Print from your browser via the browser Print icon; or right click on mouse and select print; or go to "File" on the browser menu and select print.
 

CEUs

CEU credits for group or self-study are available for a small number of items in the library collection. To search the library collection for all the items that award CEUs, type CEUs in the 'Search For' window and press 'Submit.' If CEUs are available, the title will indicate '(CEUs),' the CEU field on the detail screen will indicate the number of CEUs, and the item description will contain directions on how to apply. 0.1 CDC Continuing Education Units = 1 contact hour of instruction.
 

Copy or Duplicate an Item

Items published or produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are public domain and may be reproduced as long as the CDC is credited . Library items produced by non-government sources are protected from unauthorized reproduction by copyright law. Failure to comply with this law can result in severe civil and criminal penalties, as well as revocation of a user`s library privileges.
 

Purchase an Item

Most items are not available for purchase through the NLTN. Contact the item`s publisher or producer directly to obtain purchase information. (Items produced with federal funding, however, may be reproduced by users as noted above.)
 

Suggest a New Addition/Acquisition

To suggest an item be added to the library collection, click on Suggestions for Library Additions on the left hand navigation bar.