Answers to commonly asked questions about eBooks:

What's an eBook?
eBooks an electronic versions of printed books that you can purchase from a bookstore, download for free off the Internet, or borrow from the library. eBooks may be read on most computers, or many handheld devices such as eReaders or iPads.

What's an eReader?
eReaders are usually about 5” wide by 7 “ tall and they’re very light. You hold the device, read the page and click a button (or swipe the screen with your finger) to make the next page appear. You can bookmark where you leave off reading to find it quickly the next time and increase text size if the print is too small for you. The device can store hundreds of eBooks at a time.

Is eBook just another word for downloadable audiobooks?
NO. It’s easy to get confused with new terms and technologies so here’s how to keep it straight:

• eAudiobook is something you listen to. A downloadable audiobook is something you listen to on a portable device that you could also use for music, such as an iPod or mp3 player.
• eBook is something you read with your eyes

How do I read an eBook?
To read an eBook, you will need to have special software loaded onto your computer, or have an eBook reader. There are a few different software companies that you could use, but the one designed to work with library eBooks is Adobe Digital Editions. Click here to download it. To read library eBooks on a portable device you will need to download Adobe Digital Editions to your computer, and own a portable device that can handle eBooks.

How do I know which portable devices work with library eBooks?
As of today, the eBook readers that are compatible with our eBooks are the Kobo from Chapters Indigo, the Sony Readers from Sony, the Nook from Barnes & Noble and the Pandigital. Some mobile devices such as iPads, iPhones and Android phones will also work with library eBooks. Click to see specific product names and information for each of these compatible devices. (scroll down)

How do I borrow and download eBooks from the library’s website?
Click on the button on the library’s homepage to take you to the Digital Catalogue. There’s a quick start guide on the right side of the page that will tell you how to download the free Adobe Editions software to get started. Once you’ve installed that software (which is as easy as clicking buttons), then you can

• Log into the digital catalogue with your library card number
• Search for eBooks (remember not audiobooks, eBooks). They will be called either ePUB eBooks or ePDF eBooks. Don’t worry about the PDF or PUB; just remember that it has to be an eBook.
• Add them to your cart and checkout when you’re ready
• The software you have just installed will automatically open up and all the books you just purchased will appear on your computer.
• Now you just plug your eReader into your computer, click and drag the cover of the eBook that is now showing on your computer screen to the name of your eReader that appears in the left column of the software and your selected eBooks will load go onto your device.
• Then unplug the device from your computer and away you go!

The neat thing about our eBooks is that they don’t have any overdue fines. They’re just returned automatically. And they’re available 24/7! Click here to read all the details about borrowing, placing holds etc.

All your eBooks are signed out! How do I find one that is available?
Library eBooks are VERY popular, and it's true that a lot of them are signed out at any given time. Rest assured, some of them are always available, and there is an easy way to find them:

1. Click on "advanced search" which is towards the top left of the screen, just below the regular search box.
2. An advanced search screen will come up, and at the bottom of the search screen (scroll down) there is a box you can tick that says "Only show titles with copies available".
3. From there you have the option to narrow things down further by format, date, etc., or you can just click search with the form otherwise blank. 
4. Browse through the list of everything that is current and available to download. 

Where can I find free eBooks?
There are lots of websites out there that offer free eBooks. Some are from publishers, offering free previews of their books, and others are titles that are in the public domain, meaning no longer under copyright. A great public domain site for eBooks is www.gutenberg.org. MobileRead.com is a popular online forum for connecting with other eBook readers, and provides an excellent list of free eBook sites here: wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Free_eBooks.

Happy Reading!

Do you have a eBook question that wasn't answered here?
Contact our eBranch Librarian at kbernstein@georgina.ca

 

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