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Find and use eBooks

How to find eBooks and read, print selected pages and download them to your device using your web browser.

Read online, download or borrow eBooks

Read online

You may be able to get all you need from an eBook just by reading it in your browser. When you're finished reading, close your browser to ensure the eBook becomes available to other users.

If you are using a library computer you will only be able to read eBooks in your browser.

Download eBooks

You can download many of our eBooks and read them in other programs on your own computer, or on a mobile device.

Books hosted on a publisher’s own platform (e.g. Oxford, Springer, Wiley) can usually be downloaded by chapter or whole book in PDF format. These files do not need to ‘borrowed’ and can be read and downloaded by multiple people at the same time.

Borrow eBooks

Some eBooks, hosted on third-party platforms (e.g. eBook Central, EbscoHost), can only be downloaded and used for a limited period, like borrowing a book from the Library. Your copy will not be available to other users until it is 'returned'. When the loan period expires, your downloaded file becomes unreadable and the eBook is 'returned' to the Library.

To borrow these eBooks, you need to download special reader software and create an Adobe ID account.

Reader software

For desktop computers or laptops, you can use Adobe Digital Editions (ADE). Check official Adobe Digital Editions support.

There are numerous eBook reader apps available for both iOS and Android mobile devices.

Adobe maintains a list of devices and software that are compatible with ADE.

Accounts

You will need to create an Adobe ID to authorise your computer or mobile device with ADE.

For Ebsco eBooks, you will also need a My EBSCOhost account.

Contact AskUs for further assistance with the borrowing process.

File formats

eBooks are generally available as either PDF or EPUB files.

  • PDF files have a fixed layout and do not adapt well to different-sized screens.
  • In comparison, EPUB files are designed to adapt to the size of a device’s screen, so they can be easier to read with tablets and smartphones.