Ebooks at GW Libraries

To use an ebook, you have the choice to (1) view or read it online, or (2) download it to read it offline on your computer or device.  
The boxes below will help you with this process for Ebook Central and EBSCO Ebooks.

What are the advantages of reading an ebook online?  

• No additional software or account set-up needed

What are the advantages of downloading an ebook to my computer or device?  

• The book remains on your device for the loan period--the process is like "checking out" a print library book; You can now print pages, highlight, and add notes in the book.

How do I prepare my PC or Mac to download ebooks? 

• Download Adobe Digital Editions from the Adobe website

ProQuest Ebook Central

Requirements for Downloading

• A valid GW UserID is required to use Ebook Central, even if you are simply reading online (not downloading)
• Software:  Adobe Digital Editions to download on MacOS/Windows; BlueFire Reader to download on iOS/Android mobile devices.

How to Download an Ebook

1. Install and activate Adobe Digital Editions
2. Click the Full Download button.
   1. Don't want to download the entire book? Use the Chapter Download link. Usually a small chunk of pages can be printed or downloaded as a PDF (no ADE or Bluefire necessary).
3. Choose your device (usually Ebook Central will successfully guess) and computer location.
4. Choose your download period and format, if a choice is available.
5. Click Download Your Book.
6. (if necessary) From within Adobe Digital Editions, open the downloaded file.

EBSCO Ebooks

Requirements for Downloading

• A valid GW UserID is required to use EBSCO Ebooks even if you are simply reading online (not downloading)
• An EBSCOhost personal account is needed for downloading
• Software Needed:  Adobe Digital Editions

How to Download an Ebook: (also see EBSCO's help page)

1. Sign in (or create) your My EBSCOhost account (separate from your GW Library account).
2. Install and activate Adobe Digital Editions
3. Click the "Download this ebook" link for the ebook you would like to download.
4. Click the Checkout & Download button.  A file for Adobe Digital Editions will download and the ebook will be added to the Checkouts area of your EBSCO folder.
5. From within Adobe Digital Editions, open the downloaded file.