eBooks: FAQs: Understanding eBook Access

Are you blocked from copying or saving text from an eBook? If so, this eBook's publisher is using Digital Rights Management or DRM to control unlawful use. This is a common source of frustration for readers and libraries. Restrictions vary by publisher and title but can include: (1) who can access, (2) how much content can be copied or downloaded, (3) if and how long downloads can be stored on a personal device, (4) restrictions on the applications/e-readers that can be used and (5) blurriness of the eBook image.

How do I know if I can use an eBook for class? As noted, many eBooks have DRM restrictions, which may make use challenging. A multi-user, non-DRM copy is the best option, if available. Most titles direct from publishers are DRM free. If from an aggregator, you can check the title access restrictions on the main record page. 

Please allow time for the exploration of possible options when preparing your course, so that we can determine what eBook options are available, and maximize use and availability!  It is also good practice to check links and access prior to assigning texts for class, as eBook package content can change (particularly for subscription databases).

Can I download the entire book? Some eBook publishers only allow you to download individual chapters or sections, including JSTOR. In this case, you may use Adobe Acrobat Pro or other free software to stitch the individual PDFs into a single PDF. Consider a tool such as DownThemAll to facilitate individual downloading. Other publishers allow you to download the complete book as a PDF, including Springer, or to create a zip file of multiple PDFs (which still require "stitching"). In other cases, you may be required to download additional free software, such as Adobe Digital Editions, that restricts how you use the document. Other eBooks prevent you from downloading the entire book but you can create a personal account to highlight and save notes. EBSCO titles have restrictions on the amount one can download and for how long, as well as how many individuals can check out a title at one time.

Are there benefits of using reading online, or using the HTML version of the text? What about the PDF? The HTML text often includes hyperlinks to other content cited in references and allows toggling between in-text citations and notes and references. It is also much more accessible than PDF for certain users. The PDF may not have this functionality, but is much more transportable than an HTML page, and can be annotated. Keep in mind that the links tend to work better for locating e-journal content, more than eBook content. If you do not find an e-version of a book in the catalog from the eBook reference, please be sure to check the library catalog for a print copy, or Suggest A Purchase.

I see both PDF and ePub options, which should I choose? Are there differences among PDFs?  The PDF option is usually a much more faithful copy (PDF/A) of the print and can be transported into such citation management systems, such as Zotero or RefWorks. However, it may also have a different look and feel, such as having the page numbers embedded into the document. In some enhanced PDFs, you will be able to toggle between notes and texts, and in others, there will be no links. ePub versions of the text are web-based and often do not include page numbers. However, they may be more transportable across Kindles and other readers.

How do I know what restrictions are on an eBook in terms of copying and pasting, or how many users can use simultaneously? Check the detailed record for information concerning number of pages one can download or copy/paste during a session, or whether there are restrictions on number of users. "Unlimited" or "non-linear access" (see below) do not have any restrictions on how many users can access or check-out the eBook at one time. Keep in mind that you may be able to get around some of the copy/paste limitations by closing your browser session and re-opening a session. If you are reading online and are finished, please close your session and browser to free up access for another user. After a period of activity, your session may be closed automatically.

Can I use an eBook for a class (e.g., Reserves)?  Yes, but there may be restrictions. Not all titles are available as multi-user or unlimited access (they are restricted to 1 to 3 users). Contact your librarian for assistance with your specific text. 

I read an eBook I found in the catalog but cannot find it now.  Where is this book?   Air University Library is using a variety of ways, including purchases, subscriptions, and trials to build collections and evaluate options. Contact your librarian if you need a book you cannot find, or if a link no longer works. These trials rely on heavy use and user input to determine what to keep long-term and are known as Demand Driven Acquisition (DDA), Evidence-based Acquisitions model (EBA), or Patron Driven Acquisition (PDA). It is highly recommended that instructors check their eBook links for their courses in order to ensure that access is not interrupted. Use the Suggest A Purchase form to recommend we purchase a title.

What if I prefer a print version to an eBook? Check the library catalog to see if a print version is available. If the print copy is not available, you can request it through Interlibrary Loan. Please note Interlibrary Loan is still facing some restrictions due to COVID-19. You can also use the Suggest A Purchase form to request a copy.  We strive to purchase eBooks that are easy to use and have no restrictions, but not all are available this way.  We understand not all eBooks are the same as print books. 

Why can't I access this title? It is turning me away?  The title may be have reached its maximum limit of users. We try to purchase multi-user titles as much as possible, but sometimes there are restrictions on the number of users who can use an eBook simultaneously (see examples below to see how you can tell). Please be considerate to your fellow patrons by returning downloaded books early if you can, using Adobe Digital Editions. 

Why can I no longer access a title? Why can I no longer find it in the library catalog?  Some titles may have been part of a trial or part of a title in a collection to which we no longer have access to, OR use may be limited (e.g. one day, one week, one month). If a title is checked out (electronically), you may also create an account in EBSCO to be alerted when it is available. Contact your librarian if you are unable to access the title.

How do I link to an eBook for reserves or for a reference?  For EBSCO titles, look for the permalink or DOI which serves as the permanent link to the eBook record. For publisher direct content, the URL in your browser should suffice. You may want to link to a specific chapter or to the entire text. Be sure you see the Air University Library proxy in the address (see example in red text: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.aufric.idm.oclc.org/).

What information is being collected when I use eBooks? Each publisher and vendor has different privacy policies. Typical information collected includes your location from IP address, titles read, and the length of time used. If you create a personal account they will also collect your email address. Ebsco's privacy policy provides an example. 

Adobe Digital Editions - Free eBook reader program used by some eBook providers to manage restricted eBook check out and use. You may be required to create a personal ID and password. This is not the same as Adobe Reader.

Concurrent – Allows for unlimited and at the same time access up to an annual maximum number of uses (typically 365 uses). Once the maximum number of uses is met, the eBook is no longer available. On the anniversary of the purchase date, the number of uses is reset to the original maximum. 

EPub - The industry standard format for delivering eBooks, because it enables publishers to create books that behave more like web content. These titles are often embedded with links to help the user navigate between sections, from the index to the relevant pages, and out to the open web.

Limited User – A set number of users can access the title at a time. The most common limited user models are Single User (1U) and Three User (3U). Any users attempting to access the title after the limit has been reached will receive a message indicating that the user limit has been reached. If the book is not available, you can contact your librarian or Interlibrary Loan for a print copy. 

Non-Linear Usage (NL) – This model allows for unlimited concurrent access but has a set number of lending days per year (typically 325 days). The combined number of loan days per year cannot exceed the maximum days-of-use allotment. On the anniversary of the purchase date, the number of loan days resets to the original maximum.

Open Access (OA) – Open access resources are available to users for free online. While some publishers have committed to keep certain eBooks, most providers have a small and/or frequently changing number of open access resources. Most providers indicate their open access resources with an image of an open lock.

Perpetual Access –  A library purchases and owns individual titles or pre-selected packs of titles.

PDF - The best format for retaining page numbers. Most publisher PDFs now include hyperlinks to navigate within the document, whereas other publishers create "surrogates" of the original print in which page numbers are incorporated into the text.

Public Domain Title – Any book for which the copyright has expired—usually a book published before the 1920s. Public domain eBooks are generally encrypted at a lower level of security. 

Unlimited Users (UU) – Unlimited usage eBooks have no limits on the number of uses or simultaneous users. Note that not all unlimited titles are DRM-free titles and may still have copy and download restrictions. 

Unlimited Users DRM-free – Unlimited access to users with no DRM restrictions on printing, saving, and copying. Full-book downloads require no special software such as Adobe Digital Editions.