Skip to Main Content

Research Tools & Tips

Technology-based tips for leveraging the tools in the library and databases

Download E-Books

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.

EBSCO (EBSCO E-Books, Harvard Business Review Press, IT Core, etc.)

  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 
  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 

Gale

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.

Screenshot of an ebook hosted in Gale. Two red arrows point out the download icons.

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

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

A screenshot of the O'reilly media, inc app logo from the app store. It is a stylized O and R with a red background.     O'Reilly logo from the Google Play Store. A stylize O with and orange background

  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

ProQuest (Ebook Central, PsycBOOKS)

Decide what you would like 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 having 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 PDF Chapter” icon next to the chapter in the Table of Contents or on the e-book homescreen (as seen below).

A screenshot of a book record in Ebook Central. Red arrows point out the different ways you can download

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 

SAGE

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

screenshot of the icons located at the top of a Sage Knowledge book. The are 1. add to list, 2. download pdf, 3. cite, 4. share, and 5. get link

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