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Ebooks: Using ebooks (PDF & Browser)

Information on finding and using ebooks through the UNC Libraries

Using an ebook in a Web Browser

Almost all the library’s ebooks can be read via a browser, including Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. Using a browser to read an ebook requires an active internet connection.

If you are having trouble reading an ebook via a browser, make sure you have the latest version of browser. If you still cannot read an ebook via a browser, click the “Have A Questions? chat now” button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Some ebook platforms require you to install a reader for your browser.  An example of this is Ebrary; you can view installation instructions here.

Using an ebook with an ereader (PDF)

Many of our ebooks let you download part or all of the book as a PDF. Exactly how many pages and how you can download them varies from book to book. Many mobile devices like iPads and Kindles can read these PDFs, and you may be able to convert the PDFs to other ebook formats with Calibre (see Calibre Web site for more information).

Instructions for downloading and examples of ebook collections that offer PDF downloads include, but are not limited to, the following:

Ebrary

Allows you to download up to 60 pages of a book.

See here (Select “Document Downloading” from the menu) for download instructions.

  

EEBO 

Allows you to download the entire book.

See here for download instructions. 

EBSCO

Allows you to download up to 60 pages of a book.

  1. Click the title of the book
  2. Select a specific chapter or section
  3. Click the Print icon on the right side of the screen
  4. Under Include in PDF, select the pages you would like to download
  5. To download an entire chapter, select “This section”
  6. To download a range of pages, select “Current pages and the __ next pages”
  7. Click Print PDF
  8. Save the PDF

 

SpringerLink 

Allows you to download the entire book, but each chapter is a single PDF.

  1. Click the title of the book or journal article
  2. Click Download PDF
  3. For books, you will have to download each chapter as a separate PDF
  4. Save the PDF

Transferring PDFs to an ereader or tablet

After you have downloaded your ebook as a PDF, you can transfer the file to your ereader or tablet. Please click the links below for applicable instructions:

  • Last Updated: Apr 6, 2022 11:43 AM
  • URL: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/ebooks