An address on a network of a control center which can order printed books is attached to corresponding electronic book data. When browsing an electronic book at a user terminal, the user accesses the control center by performing a predetermined operation on the basis of the network address. Upon reception of a user ID and the order request for a printed book, the control center searches for the address of the user on the basis of the user ID and, at the same time, searches for a bookstore server having the stock of the requested printed book, thereby placing an order for the printed book to the nearest bookstore server. The bookstore server which accepted the order notifies a printed book deliverer server of the order of the printed book and the address of the user to which the printed book is to be delivered.