Research Tools & Tips

Overview

Learn how to read electronic books from CityU Library databases on your e-reader or mobile device. The below instructions are listed by platform. 

As always, if you have any questions about the processes covered in this guide, please ask a librarian.

1. Decide what you want to download
   • Download the entire book to read offline using Adobe Digital Editions software on your desktop, laptop, tablet, phone, or Kindle Fire 
   • Download selected chapters to read offline - does not require Adobe Digital Editions software and DOES allow you to read on your Kindle e-reader (not Fire tablet).  You can send chapters to your Kindle either with an app or simply by emailing to your Kindle.  Look for the “Download” icon next to the chapter in the Table of Contents. 
2. To download an entire book, click the Download icon next to the e-book in your results list
3. Click “Sign In / Create Account” and create a personal EBSCOhost account (or sign in if you already have one) 
4. Select the length of time you wish to have the e-book using the “Borrow for” drop-down menu
5. Select your preferred format of the downloaded file 
   • PDF is recommended for desktop AND Kindle (send PDF files to your Kindle with an app or simply by emailing it) 
   • EPUB is recommended for mobile devices
6. NOTE about Adobe Digital Editions: This is the “offline reader” software that allows you to download entire e-books from EBSCO and ProQuest and read them even when you don’t have an internet connection.  To get started with Adobe Digital Editions: 
   • Create an Adobe Account if you don’t already have one (this is free and only takes a minute) 
   • Install Adobe Digital Editions on your computer or mobile device 
   • When using Adobe Digital Editions for the first time, you will be prompted to enter your Adobe ID 
7. Ask a librarian if you have additional questions 

Download of full e-books is not available, but you can download chapters! The download button icon is a downward facing arrow. It is located both at the top of the webpage next to the search bar and at the top of the item.

This PDF is viewable on PC, mobile device, and Kindle (send PDF files to your Kindle with an app or simply by emailing it) 

O’Reilly for Higher Education e-books can be downloaded and read offline using the O’Reilly Media, Inc app (iOS and Android)

1. Install and launch the O’Reilly app on your mobile device
2. Enter your CityU email address when prompted
3. Search for your e-book
4. In the results list, click the three dots (vertical ellipsis) next to your title, then click Download
5. Access downloaded titles by clicking the hamburger menu at upper-left > Your O’Reilly > Downloads

Decide what you would like to download.

Download the entire book to read offline using the Ebook Central Reader software on your desktop, laptop, tablet, phone, and other devices that accept apps.

Download selected chapters to read offline does not require having the Ebook Central Reader software and DOES allow you to read the chapter as a PDF.  You can send chapters to your Kindle either with an app or simply by emailing to your Kindle. Look for the “Download PDF Chapter” icon next to the chapter in the Table of Contents or on the e-book homescreen (as seen below).

NOTE about Ebook Central Reader: This is the “offline reader” software that allows you to download entire e-books from ProQuest and read them even when you don’t have an internet connection.  To get started Ebook Central Reader: 

• Find an item that you want to read in the library database.
• Install Ebook Central Reader on your computer or mobile device.

Download of full e-books is not available, but you can download chapters! The "Download pdf" icon is a downward facing arrow.

This PDF is viewable on PC, mobile device, and Kindle (send PDF files to your Kindle with an app or simply by emailing it)