Most eBooks available from the library's EBSCO databases can be downloaded and read offline on your computer or mobile device. These databases include Discover @ Georgia Southern, the eBook Academic Collection (EBSCO), the eBook Community College Collection (EBSCO), the eBook High School Collection (EBSCO), the eBook K-8 Collection (EBSCO), the eBook Public Library Collection (EBSCO), and the eBooks on EBSCOhost collection.
In addition to the following, see EBSCO's eBook User Guide for more information. See the following instructions to download EBSCO eBooks to your computer or mobile device:
- Download an eBook to your Computer
- Download an eBook to Your Mobile Device
- Download an eBook to Your Mobile Device - Tutorial
- Download a Chapter of an eBook as a PDF
- Transfer an eBook to a Portable Device (eReader)
Download an eBook to Your Computer
To download and read EBSCO eBooks on you computer, follow the instructions below.
A. Create an Adobe ID
If you don't have one already create an Adobe ID on Adobe's website.
Please note, Adobe IDs are not associated with your MyGS username and password; you must create a unique username and password when you create your account. Be sure to write down your username and password for future use.
B. Download and Install Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) on Your Computer
You must have Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) 1.7.1 or higher installed on your computer and your computer must be authorized to open eBooks using ADE. Download ADE for free from Adobe here:
https://www.adobe.com/products/digital-editions/download.html
When installing ADE, do not change any default settings.
If you aren't prompted to authorize ADE the first time you open it, go to Help > Authorize Computer in ADE to start the process manually. Enter your Adobe ID and password as prompted.
Click Authorize. Your computer is now authorized to download and open eBooks using ADE.
C. Create and/or Log into Your Personal MyEBSCOhost Account
To download eBooks, you will need to be logged into your personal MyEBSCOhost account. You are currently logged in if you see the links Update My Account and Switch Accounts in the horizontal menu at the top of Discover or any EBSCOhost database. Otherwise, click Sign In to log into your account using your MyGS credentials.
In coordination with GALILEO, the University Libraries are improving how you log into Georgia Southern’s EBSCO databases using the OpenAthens identity management system. Beginning October 15, 2019, when you access Discover or any of the Libraries’ EBSCO databases, a new MyEBSCOhost account will automatically be created for you, which you can use to save articles and searches and to check out EBSCO ebooks. If you maintained one or more MyEBSCOhost accounts prior to October 15, 2019, then you have the option to merge your existing accounts with your new account. For more information, see the Libraries' Merging MyEBSCOhost Accounts guide.
D. Download and Read an eBook
Once you have completed the steps above, you are ready to download and read EBSCO eBooks on your computer. When you have identified an eBook to download in an EBSCO database, follow these instructions:
1. For the book you want to download, click Full Download. If you are not already logged into your My EBSCOhost account, you will be prompted to log in.
2. Select a Checkout Period from the drop-down menu, then click Checkout & Download.
For some titles, you may see the option to select either the PDF or ePub format. The library recommends PDF format for computers and the ePub format for mobile devices.
The eBook will be added to the Checkout area of your My EBSCOhost account folder, which is accessible in the upper right-hand corner of the database interface.
3. Select to Open or Save the file in the resulting dialog box. If you Open the file, the ebook will open in Adobe Digital Editions (ADE). If you Save the file, the ebook will be saved to your computer and can be opened with ADE at a later time.
If you receive the error message, E_AUTH_BAD_DEVICE_KEY_OR_PKCS12, you may need to type ctrl-shift-D while in ADE (cmd-shift-D if on Mac), then restart ADE and reauthorize your computer using your Adobe ID.
For more information, Ask Us!