Downloading EBSCO eBooks

The EBSCO eBooks platform offers the option to download most of their eBooks for use offline. The initial setup requires a multi-step process. Please choose from the following depending on the capabilities of your device:

For offline use on Windows & Mac computers, as well as most e-readers without a web browser:
1. Install the Adobe Digital Editions software on your computer (Windows or Mac) and create an Adobe ID (or use your existing ID). You should only need to do this once on each computer. The software is free and can be downloaded directly from Adobe: Adobe Digital Editions. If the software asks you to choose a vendor, choose "Adobe ID."
2. Search the EBSCO eBooks Collection to find the book(s) you wish to download.
3. Click on the link labeled "Download This eBook (Offline)."
4. Sign in to (or create) your EBSCO account.
5. Choose your checkout period and download the book to your PC (Windows) or Mac.
6. Open the file (either while downloading or by opening a saved file). The file should open in Adobe Digital Editions on your computer. At this point you can read the book on your Windows or Mac computer.
7. If you want to also use the book on a portable device:
  1. Plug your device into your computer. The device should appear in Adobe Digital Editions.
  2. Drag a copy of the book to the device icon in Adobe Digital Editions.
  3. Disconnect your device when the transfer is complete. The book should be available for use on your device.
For iOS products (iPod, iPhone, or iPad) and Android devices with a compatible web browser (some Kindles, Nooks, etc.):
1. You will need to use the Bluefire Reader app and download eBooks wirelessly, without the Adobe Digital Editions software. (However, you must have an Adobe ID.) Bluefire works with Adobe to allow you to read the borrowed books. For more details, please refer to the EBSCO eBooks help page and to Bluefire Reader's web site.
2. On your device, use your browser to search the EBSCO eBooks Collection for the book(s) you wish to download.
3. Click on the link labeled "Download This eBook (Offline)."
4. Sign in to (or create) your EBSCO account.
5. Choose your checkout period and download the book to your device.
6. Open the file on your device (either while downloading or by opening a saved file). The file should open in the Bluefire Reader.

After setting up your computer/tablet/e-reader, future downloads will just require you to sign in to your EBSCO account and download the book before transferring it to your device. If you use a different computer or device, you may need to install the software and input your Adobe ID again.

There may be other ways you can transfer files using manufacturer-supplied software (such as software for Amazon Kindles and iTunes for iOS devices). Please consult your device documentation and the EBSCO eBooks help pages. Also, while most of the EBSCO books are in a Digital Rights Management (DRM) protected PDF format, some may also be available in the DRM protected ePub format. ePub formatted titles are often easier to use on tablets and e-readers because the text size and formatting can be changed to better fit the device.

Once the loan period expires, the book will no longer open and should be removed (using Adobe Digital Editions or the Bluefire Reader) to recover the storage space on your device. Unfortunately, with Adobe Digital Editions (ADE), even after you remove them using ADE you may also need to manually delete old files from the ADE directory (usually My Documents\My Digital Editions\ on Windows systems). See the ADE site for help and more information.

If you run into any problems, please refer to the EBSCO eBooks help page for FAQs, Help Sheets, User Guides and Tutorials.

If you cannot get the downloaded book(s) to work with your device, please remember that the EBSCO eBooks can always be read online by clicking the "eBook Full Text" link.

Libraries

Downloading EBSCO eBooks