eBooks

Finding eBooks

With access to ebooks from over 200 databases, there are a wealth of options available to help you find the information you need when you need it most.  There are two ways to access ebooks in our collections: through the UCF Libraries catalog or by going to the specific database that contains the book you need.

Using the UCF Libraries Catalog

There are multiple ways to find ebooks using our libraries' catalog.  First, you can use the search box at the top of this page.

Second, you can limit your search in our catalog to online resources:

From the library's homepage:

1. Select "Advanced Search" in the lower left-hand corner of the Primo Search box.
2.  Select the "UCF Library Catalog" radio button in the "Search for:" category at the top of the "Advanced Search" box.
3. Enter the keywords you would like to search.
4. Choose "Books/eBooks" under the "Material Type" drop-down menu.
5. Select the green "Search" button in the lower right-hand corner.
6. Located the "Filter or expand your results" menu on the left-hand side of the page.
7. Click on "Available online"  under the "Availability" menu.

FInding eBooks from UCF Libraries on Vimeo.

Databases

A complete list of databases that include ebooks can be found at: https://guides.ucf.edu/az.php?t=2245

Accessing eBooks

All of the ebooks available through UCF libraries can be read on a PC or Mac.

Many of our eBooks can be downloaded and read on your computer or device.  Some vendors will require you to use Adobe Digital Editions to download books.  You will need an Adobe ID and Adobe Digital Editions or another App such as BlueFire Reader to access these books. 

• To get an ID or to change or reset your password, go to the  Adobe.com  site and click Sign In.
• Install Adobe Digital Editions on your computer device and create a personal account, OR
  Install BlueFire Reader for your Kindle, iPad, or other tablet.
• Once you find an eBook, follow any instructions from the host site to view or download the eBook. 

In most cases that will get the content onto your Kindle or other reader. For some eBooks you will have the content for a limited time – either 24 hour or 7 days.  Also, most of the EBSCO eBooks only allow one person to use the book at a time, and a person can check the eBook out for up to 7 days.

There are several different options vendors can choose from when it comes to how library users can access ebooks.  If you are having problems accessing an ebook it may be for one of the following reasons:

• Limited Number of Users: Some vendors limit the number of users who can access an ebook at a time. For example, if you are trying to access an EBSCO ebook, some titles are limited to one user at a time.  If the book is currently unavailable you will be able to place a hold on the book and you will be emailed when it is available (note: you may be required to set up a free personal account to place a hold)
• DRM: DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. DRM is a security feature that some publishers use to protect their content from being shared with unauthorized users.  When DRM is present you will need to read the ebook online within the database, or use a specific software to download the ebook to your device.  There are two main apps you will be asked to use, Adobe Digital Editions or Blue Fire Reader.  Both apps require you to have an free Adobe ID to authorize the ebook.  

Still no luck?  Ask a librarian!

Now that you've got what you need from the ebook you downloaded, how can you return it so that someone else can use it?

Ebsco

If you downloaded a book from an Ebsco database to read offline and you want to return it before it's due, you will need to return it through the Adobe Digital Editions app.

(From the Ebsco Support pages)

Checking in eBooks in Adobe Digital Editions

To check in an eBook before the check out period has expired:

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.

2. On the Library View screen of Adobe Digital Editions, hold your pointer over the eBook you would like to check in and click the arrow in the top left corner.

3. Click Return Borrowed Item.

4. Click the Return button to confirm you would like to return the eBook.

5. The eBook is checked in and removed from your Library View screen and is available to other patrons.