EbooksWatch the eBook Tutorial (YouTube)
Answers to some frequently asked questions about using the library's ebooks. FGCU ebooks come from a variety of providers but the largest providers you will find when searching for ebooks in the library catalog are EBSCO, MyiLibrary and eBrary.
General Questions
Troubleshooting
How can I use ebooks from FGCU?
All eBooks, regardless of provider, can be viewed on a computer with an internet browser and PDF viewer like Adobe Reader.
Some eBooks may only be viewed by one person at a time and will become available soon after the first user closes the book or becomes inactive while using the book. Some eBooks can be checked out like print books and will be unavailable while the book is checked out. When you go to view a book or check a book out, it will tell you if the book is unavailable at that time.
How can I make sure an ebook becomes available to someone else when I am finished viewing it online?
In EBSCO: when you are finished viewing the book, click the Result List, New Search, Back, or Exit links in the eBook Viewer.
In Ebrary: If the book you are viewing can only be used by one person at a time, there will be a button in the tan tool bar above the book that says “Release This Title.” Click this button to make the book available to other users.
Can I download an eBook from FGCU to my computer, e-reader, or mobile device?
Yes, many eBooks in the FGCU Library can be downloaded in part or in full to be viewed offline. To find out what you options for downloading are, you’ll need to know who the provider of that particular ebook is and on what device you want to put the book. Remember that you can simply view ebooks online without downloading, if you don’t want an offline option.
Device |
Download Options |
Computer (PC/MAC) |
EBSCO
You can also save up to 60 pages at a time as a PDF to your computer. The PDF will not expire. The PDF file can be transferred to other devices using whatever means you typically use for that device (SD card, USB cable, iTunes, etc). Ebrary To install and activate Adobe Digital Editions:
To download an entire document to your computer:
You may open the document with Adobe Digital Editions and utilize features including organizing the library, using bookshelves, transferring documents to supported devices, navigating documents, searching text, creating bookmarks, printing, returning the document early, and more. MyiLibrary Other Providers |
Apple iPhone, iPad, iPod |
EBSCO If your device does not have a wireless connection, follow the instructions here: You can also save up to 60 pages at a time as a PDF to your device. Ebrary To transfer a document download to a computer to an iOS device (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad):
You should now be able to read the document on your iOS device. You may need to authorize the device with your Adobe ID. You may also create image PDFs of specific chapters and page ranges, up to the same limits as for printing (established by the book’s publisher). |
Android phones, tablets |
EBSCO Ebrary
You may also create image PDFs of specific chapters and page ranges, up to the same limits as for printing (established by the book’s publisher). |
Amazon Kindle |
EBSCO
eBook pages saved as a PDF can be transferred to, and read on eReader devices such as the Nook or Kindle. Consult your device's user manual for instructions on how to manually transfer files to the device. Ebrary To create an image PDF of a chapter:
To create an image PDF of a page range:
You may open, read, and print the chapter or page range in any PDF viewer, such as Adobe Reader. You may also transfer the file to other devices including Amazon Kindle. Image PDF files don't expire. |
Barnes and Noble Nook |
EBSCO Ebrary |
I can only see the first page of an ebook OR a new PDF opens every time I turn a page.
This is probably due to a setting in Adobe Reader (or your PDF reader). To get the right viewing experience you will want to set PDFs to open within the browser window. To ensure ebooks are displayed in the ebook viewer in the browser window:
eBooks now display in the eBook viewer without displaying individual PDFs for each page.
I downloaded a book into Adobe Digital Editions (or other reader app on my mobile device) and now it says it is expired. How do I access the book again?
You will need to go back to the place where you originally downloaded the book and check it out and download it again. Try searching the FGCU Library catalog for the title of the book to get back to the eBook.
Reference Desk: 239-590-7630
Email: libref@fgcu.edu
SMS: 239-676-0840
Watch the eBook Tutorial (YouTube)