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eBooks at IU Southeast

This guide provides a link to the list of our ebook collections, and information about our two major ebook providers, EBSCOhost and Proquest Ebook Central.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ebooks

The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Ebooks.

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Frequently asked questions about Ebooks

e-reader

 

What Ebooks are available to read online, from my computer, phone, or tablet?

IU Southeast users have access to numerous Ebooks that can be read in a web browser.  Go to IUCAT to search for the title of an eBook, or browse our collections of eBooks for eBook platforms to which we provide access.

 

Do I have to download an Ebook to read it?

Definitely not!  All of our Ebooks can be read using a web browser.

 

Which Ebooks are available to download?

Many of the eBooks on the EBSCOhost and Proquest Ebook Central (formerly ebrary) platforms are available for downloading onto most phones, tablets, and other mobile devices.  Specific details on how to download from these two platforms is available from the EBSCO and Proquest sites.  You can also download eBooks onto your mobile device from other platforms that enable you to download content as a PDF.  

Examples:

  • Early English Books Online (EEBO) - you can download entire books as PDFs.
  • Eighteenth Century Books Online (ECCO) - download up to 250 pages at a time.
  • HathiTrust - download entire books as PDFs.  Check the box for "full view only" to search only for downloadable books.  When you download a PDF, you may need to log-in as an Indiana University community member first (using the same username and passphrase you use for Canvas & One.IU).

Some Ebooks and e-journals will allow you to download a PDF of one page, chapter, or article at a time.  Generally, if you see that a downloadable PDF is available, you can transfer that PDF to most mobile devices.  To find out how, see the answer for "How do I transfer a PDF file from my computer to a mobile device?"

In addition, there are a few ways to get free books for your device:

  • Public libraries in the area offer downloadable eBooks and audiobooks through a system called Overdrive. Overdrive works with all major e-reading devices.  Visit your local public library in person or online to find out more.
  • There are many free eBooks available for download, including classics in the public domain from sites such as Project Gutenberg.

 

How do I transfer a PDF file from my computer to a mobile device?

The steps for transferring a PDF from your computer to your phone or tablet are different for each device.  Here are a few guides that can help you transfer PDFs:

 

What if an Ebook is currently checked out by another user?

If the eBook you want to download is in use by another person, you can place a hold on it.  This ensures that you are notified when the book becomes available, and this also keeps the book from being checked out by another user before you.  To place a hold, enter your preferred email address in the field provided and click the Place Hold button. 

The eBook is placed in the Holds area of your My EBSCOhost Folder when it becomes available.  You are notified via the email address you provided and have 3 (three) days to download the eBook before it becomes available for anyone to check out.

(Please note: Placing a hold on an eBook is only available in EBSCOhost, and you must have an EBSCO account in order to place a hold.  See EBSCO's How to Create and Manage a My EBSCOhost Account for instructions on creating a free EBSCOhost account.)

 

Do you offer downloadable audiobooks?

We currently don't offer access to downloadable audiobooks, but there are a few other options available:

  • Browse the collection of audiobooks on CD on the main floor of the IU Southeast Library, or if there's a particular title you're interested in, search IUCAT and limit your results to "Non-musical Recording"
  • Public libraries in the area may offer access to downloadable audiobooks.  Visit your local public library in person or online to find out more.

 

What does Adobe DRM mean and which devices are compatible with it?

Adobe DRM is a digital rights management (DRM) system created by Adobe.  A digital rights management system limits the amount of copying, printing, and sharing of eBooks (and other online content like music and video games).  Adobe DRM may also be called Adept, ADE, Adobe Digital Editions, or Adobe Reader Mobile.  Kindle is one of the only eReaders that is not compatible with Adobe DRM; a list of devices that are is available here.

 

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