How do I access e-books via the Hedberg Library databases?
Answer
How do I access e-books via the Hedberg Library database?
If you find an eBook in the Hedberg Library catalog, you should be able to access the text right from the catalog record of the item. Click on "View eBook."
That will take you to the database that provides the library's e-access. Depending on the database, you will see viewing options on the left:
- "PDF Full Text" may allow you to download the entire pdf of a text.
- "PDF Full Text" will allow you to read the entire book online in your browser window.
- From the displayed text in your browser window, you may have the option to choose "Full Text Download."
Full Text Download
Depending on the library's agreement with the publisher, you may have access to download a text using a 3rd-party proprietary reader called Adobe Digital Editions. In these cases if you want to download the full text rather than reading it in a browser, you will be prompted to download Adobe Digital Editions and to create an account with the database provider (ex. EBSCO, ProQuest). This account has nothing to do with your Carthage credentials.
Once you create an account and download Adobe Digital Editions you will be asked what kind of a checkout period you'd like for your item from a list of options. This means that when you download the book it won't be yours forever. It will be "checked out" to you digitally, and your access to it will be removed when the checkout period is over.
Ebooks can be complicated to access and use because of the publishers of the texts. They make the rules and the libraries follow them. Please email help@carthage.edu if you have questions and the librarians will help you through.