Basics of the Digital Library

The Digital Library is a store of electronic files and, depending on the content your organisation has added, it contains thousands of items of many different types – images, PDF files, MS Office files, CAD drawings and much more.

The files you can see and download depend upon the User Group to which you were allocated when you joined the Digital Library and this is why you may not see exactly the same results as another user when you both do the same search.

To download resources  to your computer from the Digital Library follow these steps:

1.       Select "Search" from the main menu

2.       Enter some search criteria to find the resources of interest

3.       On the "Search Results" page click the "Add item to Cart" icon next to the files you wish to download to place them in your Shopping Cart

4.       Select "Shopping Cart" from the main menu or by clicking on the button at the bottom of the Search Results Page

5.       On the "Shopping Cart – Resource Use" page fill in the questions about the download and then click "Submit Query" (this information is stored with the History of Use of the resources and you can use it to see if you have previously downloaded any resource)

6.       On the "Shopping Cart – Resource Download" page click the right mouse button on the link to each file you require and select "Save Target As"

 

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Searching for Resources

Two ways to search

Controlling the number of results

Controlling the search results display

 

Two ways to search

To search for resources either

o        Enter all or part of the resource name, and/or by select from the search criteria shown.

Or

o        Enter some free text to search for in the resource descriptions and notes. If you use the free text search you cannot enter any other search criteria at the same time.

Controlling the number of results

When you enter multiple search criteria, resources are only displayed if they match ALL of the selection criteria. If your search returns a large number of results try adding some more search criteria to narrow the results. If your search does not return any result at all, or none of interest, try reducing the number of search criteria to make your search broader.

 

Controlling the search results display

You can control the number of results displayed. The thumbnail images are very small in file size, but if you have a slow internet connection and the page is slow to load try selecting 5 results per page from the drop-down list.

The results list is sorted alphabetically by name but you can also choose to sort it by file type if you have chosen to search for more than one kind of resource.

 

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Membership details

Applying for membership

Privacy of your membership details

How to change your details

How to cancel your membership

 

Applying for membership

If you sell Hills’ products and need to have access to product images for marketing purposes you can apply for membership. Simply fill out the details on the application form and submit your request. All of the fields are required (except Address line 2).

The "Hills Representative" is the person we can speak with to confirm your membership and ensure we allocate you to the appropriate User Group. We will process your application as soon as possible, and email your user name and password to you.

 

Privacy of your membership details

Your membership details will be used only to validate your access to the Digital Library and we do not release this information to any third parties for any purposes. For a full explanation of our Privacy Policy please see the Site Information page.

 

How to change your details

You can change your address and contact information at any time. To access these details click the "My Account" button on any page. If you need to change your email address or you move to a different company you must cancel your existing membership and re-register.

 

How to cancel your membership

You can cancel your membership at any time. Just click the "My Account" button on any page to access your details and then click "Cancel Membership".

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I change my email address and password?

I’ve moved to another company, can I still access the Digital Library

Do I have to fill out the questionnaire in the Shopping Cart?

Why are my search results different from other users when we do the same search?

 

Can I change my email address and password?

No, you cannot change your email address. If you need to use a new email address just cancel your existing membership and re-apply. Passwords are generated automatically by the Digital Library and cannot be changed. If you forget your password use the "Forgotten Password" box on the Home Page and your password will be emailed to you automatically.

 

I’ve moved to another company, can I still access the Digital Library?

When you join the Digital Library you are allocated to a User Group. If you move to another company you will also need to change user groups and this is something we have to do after confirmation with your new Hills Representative. To continue to access the Digital Library you or your company must cancel your existing membership and re-apply and we will sort your access in your new user group. Your email address will also need to change.

 

Do I have to fill out the questionnaire in the Shopping Cart?

The information about how you intent to use Digital Library resources is very helpful. It helps us to improve our service to you, and because you can see the History of Use (on the Image Details screen) it helps you to know if you, or someone else in your organisation, has already downloaded a particular resource.

The Digital Library is provided to you free of charge so please assist us by completing the questionnaire each time you download resources.

 

Why are my search results different from other users when we do the same search?

The resources that are available to you depend on the User Group to which you belong; this is why users in different User Groups will see different results for the same search.

 

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