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How do I download an ebook from EBSCO?

Learn how to read an ebook at home or on the go!

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Betty Sue Jessup Library

501 College Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.961.5309
reference@pvcc.edu

Downloading an EBSCO ebook to your device

Step 1:

Apple or Android tablets and smartphones: Download and install the Adobe Digital Editions app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

PC or Mac: Download and install Adobe Digital Editions to your computer.

Step 2:

Create an Adobe ID.  Click the "Get an Adobe ID" link at the bottom of the screen.  All of PVCC's ebooks have Adobe DRM protection on them to protect their copyright, which is why you need to create this ID.  

Step 3:

Authorize the device where you will read the ebook with your Adobe ID account.  

Apple or Android tablets and smartphones: In the app, click the menu button and go to "Settings."  Click the Authorize link, and login using the account you just created.

PC or Mac: Open Adobe Digital Editions, and select Help > Authorize Computer.  Login using the account you just created.

Step 4:

Go to EBSCO's ebooks and create a My EBSCOhost account.  Click "Sign In" in the top right corner and "Create a New Account."  Fill out the information requested.

Step 5:

Find the book you want to read.  Click the "Download Offline" link.  Select your checkout period (max is 7 days), and click "Checkout and Download." 

Apple or Android tablets and smartphones: When the pop-up appears, click "Open In" and then select "Copy to Adobe Digital Editions."  

PC or Mac:  Open the .acsm file "URLLink."  Enjoy reading!

Tips!

tip

  • If you download Adobe Digital Editions to your computer and also put the app on your phone, the ebook will appear on both devices as long as you've authorized them with the same Adobe ID account.
  • You can also download and install the EBSCO eBooks app from the App Store or the Google Play Store.  When you click Find Books, you will need to find our library and select Piedmont Virginia Community College.  This app does not require an Adobe ID.  If you won't be going back and forth between devices, this app is better than the Adobe Digital Editions app.  
  • A few other apps will also read the Adobe DRM ebooks, including Bluefire Reader.  
  • In order to return the book early, you must have either the EBSCO eBooks app or Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer.  The Adobe Digital Editions app does not have that functionality.  In the EBSCO app, open the book and then click "Info" and "Return Title."  In Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer, right-click on the cover and click "Return Borrowed Item."
  • You CANNOT download EBSCO ebooks to a regular Kindle.  This is due to the Adobe DRM protection.  You can download them to a Kindle Fire.