Research Guides: eBook Basics: Preparing to Read Online

Determine where will you be reading your e-books:

Computer or laptop - good for PDF and/or HTML. Some offer EPUB format. Read EPUB using Adobe Digital Editions software. Other formats can be converted using software solutions or apps (see Ebook Formats).
Readers/Devices - different devices accommodate different e-book formats. In some cases, you'll be able to convert one e-book format into another for downloading onto your device. See the grid displaying e-readers/ devices.

Download e-book software (if needed)

For e-books not in PDF or HTML format, you may need to download a software/management solution such as: Adobe Digital Editions, OverDrive app, or Stanza Desktop or Stanza app.

Unique things about eBooks

Ebooks come in different file formats which work with different devices. Software can help with converting formats to work with your device (see Formats & Devices).
Publishers usually require Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions. DRM includes limits on copying, printing, transferring, and multiple user access.
Public Domain are books that are free. Usually, these are older books that are now outside of copyright. (See the Free eBooks page.)