Salem Press makes its content available via eBook, database and print.

Salem Press Databases

Information about our complimentary databases can be found by clicking here.

Salem Press eBooks

Salem makes its eBooks available through the following eBook vendors:

• eBooks on EBSCOhost (formerly NetLibrary)

• Follett Library Resources

• Gale Virtual Reference Library

• Proquest

•       Credo

Ordering Salem eBooks

Salem Press is owned by EBSCO Publishing and, as a result, we partner with eBooks on EBSCOhost (formerly NetLibrary) to deliver our eBook content directly to customers. If you have questions or would like to order eBooks from Salem, to be hosted on EBSCOhost, please give us a call at (800) 221-1592.

Terms of Access

Our eBooks are available with three different terms of access. In each case, the only distinguishing feature is how many people can access (read) the same ebook at the same time (simultaneously). Pricing for one simultaneous user and for up to three simultaneous users are derived simply from the list price of our print editions (less discounts). Clicking on any of the lists in the left column of this page will display pricing.

Unlimited access to an eBook is priced based on the population to which it is available. So the enrollment in your school, college or university will determine the price. The same is, of course, true of the population a public library serves. Please call for details.

eBooks vs. Databases

There are both technical and editorial differences between eBooks and databases. Though the lines are blurred. To over-simplify: eBooks are electronic replicas of printed books. Databases are html or xml-coded electronic forms of text (and images, video, music) displayed differently (usually) from the printed version of the same text.

Because eBooks are digital replicas of print, they fully preserve the original, authored work and its "packaged identity" online. A lot of emphasis is placed on the fact an eBook was first a printed book. Because eBooks are direct replications of print, many publishers have chosen to convert their print reference to eBook form. Turning books into eBooks and housing them online on the publisher's platform (or on one of the eBook vendors listed above) is cheaper than creating subject databases from the same content.

Salem's four proprietary databases (Salem Health, Salem History, Salem Literature and Salem Science) are made available free to purchasers of our print reference. As a result, they have many of the attractive qualities of eBooks (selection) and databases (excellent searching).These databases include a number of search, citation and research tools many students and patrons find useful. They are described in full here.

eBook Search and Other Functions

Different eBook platforms provide different functions. You should check with your provider for more details. However, you're sure to find eBooks on EBSCOhost fulfills your needs. The platform is remarkably robust. If you are not an eBooks on EBSCOhost customer, please give us a call and we'll help guide you to becoming one.

The Distinctions

Some librarians don't draw clear distinctions between eBooks and databases. Their focus is on content, not format. But the (potentially) powerful inter-connectedness of database-organized content makes them more natural research tools. That's because the world has become linked, not authored. On an academic level, university programs have become thoroughly inter-disciplinary. The more "open" and "flowing" the content, the better. Databases perform this function beautifully. However, the tools developed for the federated searching of eBook collections are very good now and getting better. So, again, distinctions are blurring.

You should know some libraries, especially smaller ones, believe eBooks are a good solution for them because they can pick and choose what to include rather than buy a large, aggregated database. (Note that Salem's databases are based on individual title selections and so can be fully customized.) Most databases charge an ongoing "subscription" fee for access to their content. eBooks (including Salem's) are available for a one-time fee and are hosted thereafter at no charge.