Using eBooks
The Library offers eBooks from a variety of different sources, but the two main platforms are ProQuest Ebook Central (formerly known as Ebrary) and EBSCO eBooks. Some eBooks have restrictions on how many pages you are allowed to save as a PDF, or how many users can access the same eBook at once. Some eBook titles are limited to a set number of users, and when that limit is met, any additional users will be turned away. It's quite similar to how a print book can be checked out by another student!
Using EBSCO eBooks
EBSCO eBooks offers the ability to read eBooks in your browser window or download them to read in an eBook reader such as Adobe Digital Editions. Additionally, some eBooks offer the ability to save portions as PDFs. When you select "Full Text" from the search results page, this will be in the sidebar on the left side of the page.
Note: PDF Full Text is the option to read the eBook in your browser and save pages as PDFs. Download is the option to read the eBook in an eBook reader such as Adobe Digital Editions. Download will prompt you to sign in to a My EBSCOhost account. This is different than your myLesley account. You only need to sign in to EBSCO if you want to use an eBook reader, or if you want to be notified if an eBook becomes available. Otherwise, PDF Full Text should allow you to read the eBook in your browser and save pages as PDFs (what you might refer to as 'downloading' the eBook) without logging in to a separate EBSCO account.
Some EBSCO eBooks can be saved in part as PDFs, but there is usually a set number of pages which can be saved per day. You can see how many pages can be saved from both the detailed record page in @LL Search.
This page will also show how many users can access the eBook at once, under Concurrent User Level. If you see 0 Copies Available, it means another user has 'checked out' that book, and you will have to come back at another time.
Using ProQuest Ebook Central
ProQuest Ebook Central also has different options for access. If you are looking at a limited-user title, you can only read the title online or save a portion as a PDF. This is so users cannot 'check out' a title with limited access for an extended period of time; this is similar to a print book being on a 2-hour course reserve in the library. This information will be on the landing page when you access the full text of the eBook.
For an unlimited user title, you can download the title to use with an eBook reader in addition to reading it online.
Adobe Digital Editions
Adobe Digital Editions is the eBook reader that both EBSCO and ProQuest recommend for downloading eBooks. Adobe Digital Editions is free and does not require you to have access to the rest of the Adobe Suite. You can download Adobe Digital Editions here.