eBooks User Guide

 

Recommended Browser Settings

The following notes include recommended settings for reading EBSCO eBooks on your computer.

See also:

back to top

 

Searching for eBooks

The default search screen for EBSCO eBooks is basic search. The eBook Collection landing page displayed below is available by clicking the eBooks link in the top toolbar.

eBooks screen

There are several ways to search for EBSCO eBooks:

View a Tutorial on This Topic

To search for eBooks:

  1. Enter your search terms in the Find field and click the Search button

    Search for eBooks
  2. A Result List of eBooks related to your search terms is displayed.

    eBooks result list
  3. Click an eBook Full Text (PDF or EPUB) link to read the book in the eBook Viewer tool.

  4. Click the Full Download icon to check out the book and read it on your computer using Adobe Digital Editions. (See Downloading an eBook below)

    Note: Libraries that have eBook download capabilities enabled, will see a Download icon.

  5. Click the Table of Contents link to view the chapters of an eBook. You can go directly to a chapter in the eBook Viewer tool by clicking on a hyperlinked chapter.

    Note: Sections in the Table of Contents with a plus sign ( +) can be expanded further by clicking the plus sign.

back to top

 

eBook Detailed Record

A Detailed Record can be viewed by clicking an eBook title in the Result list. From the Detailed Record, you can read or download the eBook using the links in the left column. From the right column, you can print, email, save, or export the record, as well as add the details about the eBook to your folder.

If available, the Detailed Record displays the number of copies available via Concurrent Access.

Detailed Record 1

At the bottom of the Detailed Record, you can view Most Relevant Pages from this eBook and the Table of Contents. Both sections can be collapsed or expanded by clicking the plus (+) or minus (-) in the upper left corner of the section.

back to top

 

eBook Viewer

eBooks can be read online in the eBook Viewer by clicking the eBook Full Text link on the Result List or Detailed Record.

eBook Viewer

In the top toolbar of the eBook Viewer, you can click the Back to Results, New Search, or Exit links to check in the eBook after you have finished viewing it.

Included in the column on the left, are tools that allow you to view the contents of an eBook, search within the text of the eBook and save a note on the eBook in your MyEBSCO folder.

Included in the row of tools across the top of the Viewer, are tools that allow you to look up words in a dictionary and share eBook information.


Using the eBook Viewer Toolbar

When viewing eBooks in PDF format, the following options are available on the toolbar at the bottom of the viewer.

eBook Viewer Tools - PDF

EPUB Format

EPUB is an open eBook standard and file format that allows you to increase the size of the font, enabling you to optimize the viewing experience on desktop computers, smart phones, and tablets.

EPUB format eBooks use vertical scrolling to display the text of each chapter. Use the navigation arrows to change the chapter you are reading.

In cases when you are viewing an eBook in ePub format, the toolbar appears as shown.

eBook Viewer Tools - EPUB

Notes:

back to top

 

Downloading an eBook

If your administrator has enabled eBook downloads for your institution, you will see a Download icon (download icon) that allows you to check-out and download the eBook and read it on your computer when you are not connected to the Internet, or transfer it to your Adobe Digital Editions-compatible eBook Reader device.

Note: In order to download eBooks, you must have Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer. We recommend ensuring you have the most recent version of Digital Editions installed. This is a free download available at http://www.adobe.com/products/digital-editions/download.html.

View a Tutorial on This Topic

To download an eBook:

  1. Click the Full Download icon for the eBook you would like to download.

    Click download icon

    If you are not logged into your MyEBSCO folder, you are prompted to do so.

  2. Select a Download duration from the drop-down menu and confirm that you have Adobe® Digital Editions or equivalent reader software installed.

    Note: For some titles, you may see the option to select either the PDF or ePub format for an eBook.

    Download eBook window
  3. Click the Full Download button.

    The eBook is added to the Checkout area of the folder, accessible from the upper-right corner of the EBSCOhost interface.

  4. Select to Open or Save the file from the resulting dialog box.

    If you Open the file, your eBook is opened with Adobe® Digital Editions.

    If you Save the file, the eBook is saved to your computer and can be opened with Adobe® Digital Editions at a later time.

  5. When a downloaded eBook is opened, it is displayed in Adobe® Digital Editions.

Notes:

Placing a Hold on an eBook

If the eBook you have chosen to download is in use by another patron, and if your library offers Holds capabilities, you have the opportunity to place a hold on the eBook to download when it becomes available.

Sign into your personal MyEBSCO folder account (if not already signed in) and click Place Hold to be notified when that eBook is available for you to download.

Place Hold on eBook screen

The eBook is placed in the Holds area of your MyEBSCO Folder. When the eBook is available, you are notified via the e-mail address associated with your account and the eBook appears in the Checkouts area of your folder.

 

Downloading a DRM-Free eBook

Some EBSCO eBooks that may be offered by your institution do not have DRM (Digital Rights Management) restrictions. These eBooks do not require you to sign into MyEBSCO to download them. In addition, no Adobe® ID or special software such as the Adobe Digital Editions reader app is necessary to download and read them.

DRM-Free EBSCO eBooks can be opened with Adobe® Acrobat or any software that supports PDF or EPUB files and there are no restrictions on printing, saving, or copying.

To download a DRM-Free eBook:

  1. Click the Download icon for the eBook you would like to download.

    Click Download icon
  2. Select a Download Format (if available) and click the Full Download button.

    eBook download window
  3. Select to Open or Save the file from the resulting dialog box.

    If you Open the file, PDF eBooks are opened with Adobe® Acrobat. EPUB eBooks will open with Adobe® Digital Editions (if installed).

    If you Save the file, the eBook is saved to your computer and can be opened with Adobe® Acrobat/Adobe® Digital Editions at a later time.

 

Downloading eBooks on the EBSCO Mobile App

The EBSCO Mobile app provides library users with an easy way to download and read titles from their library's EBSCO eBook collections. In addition, the app enables you to download eBooks and read them in the app without needing an Adobe ID or the Adobe Digital Editions app. This functionality is now supported in the app on iOS devices, available in Apple App Store, and on Android devices, available in Google Play Store.

See the EBSCO Mobile App Quick Start Guide on EBSCO Connect to learn about creating a Personal Account in the app.

View a Tutorial on This Topic

 

To download eBooks on the EBSCO Mobile App:

  1. Tap the magnifying glass in the menu at the bottom of the screen, enter your search terms in the search box and tap Search on your device's keyboard.

    mobile app search box

  2. After receiving your results, tap the Source Type filter below the search box.

    Source type filter below search box

  3. Tap the eBooks filter in the list and click Apply.

  4. Tap an eBook result to see the details or download the title to the app.

    ebook result

    Note: You can tap the Like button to add it to your Liked Items.

  5. Tap the Access now button to view your reading options.

    The details page tells you have many copies your institution has available for reading.

    Access now button in the EBSCO app

    Note: If you are not signed into the app with a personal account, you are prompted to log in with your personal account or create one within the app when you tap the Access now button. Once signed in with your account, you are able to read the eBook.

  6. Tap Download e-book to check out the eBook and download it to your device to read it offline. (Note: At this time, downloading is available on iOS devices only)

    Tap Read online to read the eBook in the app while you are online without downloading it to your device.

    Note: The ability to read eBooks online is now available for iOS and Android devices.

    Download e-book and Read online buttons in the EBSCO app

  7. After choosing to download the eBook to your device, use the plus/minus buttons to select a checkout length and tap the Download e-book button.

    Download e-book button

    The eBook is downloaded and opened in the app.

Notes:

Reading a Downloaded eBook in the App

Once the eBook is downloaded in the app, it can be read in the app using the viewer.

To read a downloaded eBook in the app:

  1. Use the arrows or the slider to navigate the eBook pages.

    arrows to navigate ebook pages
  2. Using the eBook reader menu options:

    ebook reader menu
    • Tap the Book Info icon to view the eBook pages you’ve bookmarked, access the Table of Contents, search within the text of the eBook, or go to a specific page.

    • Tap the Table of Contents icon to go directly to a chapter or section of the eBook.

    • Tap the Display Options icon to adjust how the eBook is displayed in the viewer.

    • Tap the Search icon to search for all instances of a keyword in the text of an eBook. Ten tap a result to go directly to that part of the eBook.

    • Tap the Bookmark icon to save that page to your saved bookmarks for that eBook title.

Highlighting Text and Adding it to Your Bookmarks

While reading an eBook in the app, you can highlight passages and save them to your bookmarks.

To highlight a passage of text and add it to your bookmarks:

  1. Begin by long-pressing the screen with your finger.

  2. Select the text you would like to highlight and then tap Highlight.

    highlighted ebook passage

    The highlighted text is added to your bookmarks.

  3. Tap the Book info icon and select Bookmarks to view bookmarks and highlighted text.

    ebook info displayed
  4. You can sort your bookmarks by Page or Date.

    bookmarks sort options

Returning to an eBook to Resume Reading

If you navigate away from an eBook and would like to resume reading it at a later time, you have two options from the Home screen.

  1. You can tap the eBook in the Recently viewed area of the home screen.

    eBook title in Recently Viewed

    -Or-

    If you added the title to your Liked items, tap the Liked icon in the menu at the bottom of the screen to access it from there.

    Liked icon in bottom menu

  2. Tap the E-books tab to view your checked out eBooks and tap a title to resume reading.

    Note: Checked out eBooks cannot be accessed from the E-books tab when your device is offline. In this case, you can access them from the Recently viewed area of the home screen or the Liked items tab.

    E-book checkouts dashboard

  3. The time remaining on your checkout is displayed on the eBook Detail page.

    Tap Read now to resume reading the eBook.

    Note: You are returned to the last page you viewed and your bookmarks and Display settings are retained.

    eBook details with Read Now button

Note: If the eBook you downloaded is DRM-free (free of any Digital Rights Management restrictions), the app lets you know that your checkout of the title never expires.

Checked out indicator

back to top

 

eBooks and the MyEBSCO Folder

eBooks may appear in the folder in three areas.

My EBSCOhost Folder

eBooks: When a user adds an eBook to their folder, information about the eBook appears in the eBooks area of the folder, without the eBook being checked out. eBooks may be added to the folder by clicking on the folder icon in the Result List or Detailed Record.

Holds: When a hold is placed on an eBook that is in use by another patron, it is added to the Holds area. Holds must be enabled by your library to place a hold on an eBook.

Checkouts: When an eBook is checked out, it is added to the Checkouts area of the folder. If you have not yet downloaded the eBook, it can be accessed and downloaded from here.

back to top

 

Creating a Note on eBooks

The Notetaking feature assists with your research by allowing you to take notes on eBooks and save them to your MyEBSCO folder for later viewing.

The Notetaking feature is available on both PDF and EPUB format eBooks.

To use the Notetaking feature in EBSCOhost:

  1. In the eBook Viewer, click My Notes at the top of the column on the left.

  2. Click the + New Note button that appears in the Notes area. If there are existing notes, they appear in a list in the Notes area.

    Creating Notes

    Note: Click the Sign In link in the top toolbar to save your note to your personal MyEBSCO folder account.

  3. Enter your note text in the field provided and click the Save button. You can adjust how the text appears in your note using the Bold, Italics, and Underline buttons above the text field.

    Creating   Notes

  4. Your saved note appears in the Notes list.

    Creating Notes

  5. You can sort your saved notes by Date or the Page number on which they appear.

  6. Click a note in the list to reveal the available options for the note.

    • Click the Book icon to view the eBook page the note is saved on.

    • Click the Pencil icon to edit the note text.

    • Click the Printer icon to print the note.

    • Click the Trashcan icon to remove the note.

  7. Click Contents at the top of the column to return to the Table of Contents.

back to top

 

Saving eBook Pages for Printing or Emailing

Up to 100 pages of an eBook can be saved for printing or emailing per user as a PDF file from within the eBook Full Text viewer.

Note: The number of pages may vary depending on individual publisher-specified limits.

To save eBooks pages as a PDF:

  1. Open the eBook in the eBook Full Text viewer.

  2. Go to the first page of the section of pages you would like to print and click the Save Pages in the tools menu above.

    The Save Pages to PDF menu is displayed.

    Save Pages of an eBook Menu
  3. Select to include in the PDF:

    • Current Page: Save only the page you are viewing.
    • Current Page and the next XX pages: Enter the number of pages (up to 60) in the field provided.
    • This Section: Select to save the entire section or chapter of the eBook. (If available to select)
  4. Select:

    • Save PDF: To save the selected pages to your computer.
    • Send as an E-mail: To e-mail the selected pages as a PDF file to yourself.
  5. Open the saved PDF and use the Adobe Print function to print out your saved pages.

Note: eBook pages saved as a PDF can be transferred to, and read on eReader devices such as the Nook or Kindle. Consult your device's user manual for instructions on how to manually transfer files to the device.

back to top

 

Citing eBook Passages

When viewing an eBook in the Viewer, you can copy passages of an eBook and paste them into a document with the citation automatically included.

To copy eBook passages with citations:

  1. Highlight a portion of eBook text and use your browsers copy function (Ctrl + C) to copy the text.

    Highlight and copy eBook text 

  2. Paste the text into a Microsoft Word document, Notepad, etc. using your browser's paste function (Ctrl + V). The default citations are automatically included with your text.

     eBook text pasted with citations appearing 

Notes:

back to top

« Back