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Ebooks at Pfau Library: Working with EPUB

How ebooks from Pfau Library work, including download options.

Caveats

Downloading an entire copy of a library ebook isn't as seamless as buying a personal copy of an ebook from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Because our books are designed to be device-independent and constantly available on the web, transferring them onto a proprietary ebook device requires some extra software and little effort on the user's part. Plus, you don't get to keep the book permanently; it expires after a few days. If you want to try it, we advise you to read this page first!

Check the other pages in this guide for details on the available download options. Some ebook  providers allow you to download just a portion of the book as a normal PDF file that you get to keep.

Adobe Digital Editions

Ebook Central allows full downloading of some ebooks, but only in the EPUB file format, which protects the publishers' digital rights.

  1. Click the Download icon.
  2. You will asked what kind of device you are using. If you say Laptop Desktop, you will be prompted to go get Adobe Digital Editions.
  3. Assuming that you have Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer, click Done with this step.
  4. Click Download Your Book.
  5. The file will open in ADE once you download it.

Adobe Digital Editions, a free program, is required to view downloaded ebook files in PDF/A or EPUB formats on your computer. (If you see a file format called ACSM, this is a link which allows ADE to download the actual EPUB file.)

You will also need ADE in order to transfer a file from your computer onto an ebook reading device.

  1. Download Adobe Digital Editions here.
  2. Click the "Install" button (you may need to scroll down to find it)
  3. Click the next "Install"button that appears.
  4. Click "Yes" to continue.
  5. Click "Next" to install selected components.
  6. Confirm the install location, then click "Next"
  7. Wait for the installation to finish.
  8. Once complete, click "Close" to launch Adobe Digital Editions

Once you have installed ADE on your computer or tablet, you must establish an Adobe account. The account is free, but does require registration.

  1. Create an Adobe Account.
  2. Fill in the required fields and click "Continue" at the bottom of the form.
  3. You will receive a confirmation email; be sure to respond to complete the creation of your account

When you open ADE for the first time, you will be prompted to login with your Adobe Account information and to authorize the computer on which you have installed ADE.

EPUB for Ebook Readers

Adobe Digital Editions EPUB files are compatible with these common ebook devices:

  • Kobo
  • Nook
  • Sony eReader

You will have to manually transfer the downloaded file from your ADE library to your ebook device, for example, by connecting the device to your computer with a USB cable.

EPUB for Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)

EPUB files can be read on iPad/iPhone and Android devices. This requires both Adobe Digital Editions and an appropriate ebook reading app, such as the Nook reader app.

If you don't already use one of these apps, try the free Bluefire Reader. (Search your app store for it.)

When you open the Bluefiire app, you will need to set it up to read Adobe Digital Editions. It should give you a message asking whether you want to "Enable Adobe eBooks." Say yes, and enter your Adobe Digital Editions username and password. 

When you open a downloaded Adobe Digital Editionsthe file, you should get a message asking whether you want to open it in Bluefire; say yes. 

For more details, check the Bluefire Support Center: Using Library Books.

EPUB for Kindle

Commerical ebooks in EPUB format are NOT COMPATIBLE WITH KINDLE!

For older versions of Kindle, the only way to make EPUB ebooks readable is to convert them using Calibre ebook management software. Consult CNET's article on How to Read EPUB files on your Kindle.

For Kindle Fire, download the free Aldiko app to work with EPUB.