Ebooks: Basic Info

Meghan Davitt, Health Sciences Librarian, (540) 678-4351, mdavitt@su.edu
Kathy Evans, Reference & Instruction Librarian, (540) 665-5421, kevans1@su.edu
Aimee Gee, Reference & Online Learning Librarian, (540) 665-4553, agee@su.edu
Andy Kulp, Interim Director, Reference and Information Literacy Librarian, (540) 665-5444, akulp@su.edu

Using ebooks at an academic library is different from using ebooks you bought or ebooks you borrowed from a public library.  The ebooks in SU's collections are hosted on several different websites (platforms), so what you are allowed to do with an ebook depends on the platform where it is hosted as well as restrictions from the ebook's publisher.

Recommendations

• Worldcat Discovery is the best place to start searching for an ebook.
• When possible, read the ebook through your browser rather than downloading the full book.
• Download chapters instead of 'checking out' the entire book whenever possible.
• When you're finished reading an ebook, close your browser tab to end your session. Some ebook titles have restrictions on the number of users who can access them simultaneously. Ending your session releases the ebook so that someone else can read it. 

Checking Out (Downloading) Ebooks

• If you will need to read an ebook while you are not connected to the internet, you may need to check out and download the full title.
• In that case, you will need to make two personal accounts:
  • one with the ebook provider (e.g., EBSCO);
  • an Adobe Digital Editions account.
• You will need to remember these logins and use them to access the book on a different device.

This guide includes content adapted with gratitude from Butler University